Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv.  
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Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/20/2005 5:46:08 AM   
mickey-gem


 

Posts: 105
Joined: 10/13/2004
From: Littleton, CO, USA
Status: offline 		I Just recently finished my electric conversion for the Sig Kadet Senior ARF. I maidened it today
and was very pleased with the results. I bought this palne specifically for the e-conversion, I wanted a big
plane for nice relaxing flights! I also wanted a platform for using remote camera or video system for aerial
photography and video. I also converted this ARF to a tail dragger, because I find them aesthetically more
pleasing to the eye compared to the trycycle gear that came standard with the arf. I mounted the elevator
and rudder servos in the tail of the airplane because I did not like the large dowel pushrods that came with
the ARF. Components of the conversion are:

Sig Kadet Senior ARF 80.5 inch wingspan
AXi 4120/14 outrunner ( I Later decided on a 4120/18 better suited for 6S lipoly)
JETI Opto Advance 70 amp speed control
Model Motors Adjustable engine mount
FMA direct FS 8, 8 channel dual conv. receiver
Two Kokam 3s 3200 packs wired in series
Hitec HS 81 Metal Gear Servos. (x2 ailer. 1 rudder, 1 elevator, and 1 for steerable tail gear)
13X8 APC E prop ( Later settled on a Top Flite 13X8 wood prop)
Hanger 9 Dural HAN 160, 60 size main landing gear
Ohio Products tail gear assembly
AU weight is 7lbs 9 ounces !

I originally planned on using a UBEC to provide power to the servos but I ended up needing
to add weight to the nose, which I have read is not uncommon from previous posts on this model.
I wanted to add functional weight instead of dead weight so I added a JR 800 mah receiver pack
and switch harness to provide power to the servos. I mounted the receiver pack on the Model
Motors Aluminum engine mount. I still had to use 3 ounces of lead in the cowl to achieve the proper CG.

The maiden flights were wonderful, very smooth, scale, takeoffs were acomplished at 3/4 throttle
cruising was maintained at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle. Landing seemed to utilize a considerable amount of runway,
it is a floater! The landings are great, very smooth! I never really used full throttle 3/4 was sufficient for
climb performanc, but it is nice to know it is there if needed! I will post more pics of the cowl area tomorrow.

Enjoy!







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< Message edited by mickey-gem -- 3/25/2005 12:45:30 AM >
       Post #: 1

RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/20/2005 1:01:14 PM   
Walt Thyng


 

Posts: 770
Joined: 7/27/2002
From: St. Charles, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Nice job! This one goes into my "Future Projects" file.
Walt

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       Post #: 2

RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/20/2005 8:20:23 PM   
mickey-gem


 

Posts: 105
Joined: 10/13/2004
From: Littleton, CO, USA
Status: offline 		Here are more pics of the nose, I had to take off the original shrink wrap from the Kokam pack
in order to expose more of the wire length, I then put on after market shrink wrap. Another helpful
point: I had difficulty tightening the prop adapter (MP Jet) so I Dremeled a slot in the end of the prop
adapter with a metal cutting disk, this does not interfere with the original threads on the shaft and allows
me to use a large flathead screwdiver to keep the shaft steady while I tighten the prop nut. Sorry The
pic for the prop shaft adapter is a bit blurry.

Enjoy!

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       Post #: 3

RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/20/2005 8:45:11 PM   
mickey-gem


 

Posts: 105
Joined: 10/13/2004
From: Littleton, CO, USA
Status: offline 		The only thing I have left to do is find or make some good wheelpants, and polish the aluminum landing
gear to a high degree of shine! Any suggestions on wheel pants? I would appreciate some leads!

In the last picture you can see that I completely took out the servo tray which was preinstalled, it came
out easily by cutting around the glue joints then pulling it our gently so as not to damage the fuselage sides.
This also leaves plenty of room for future payload options!

Originally the plane came with a plywood nose gear mount glued to the firewall, It came off very easily soaking
the area with CA Remover, then gently prying with a sharp flat razor blade, I then dremeled the area to slide in
the battery packs.

I cut and trimmed a piece of foam to place inside the firewall, I cut out a square piece directly in the middle
of the foam which the battery packs slide into neatly and provide security and impact protection for the packs.
In the front the packs fit fimly against the cowling.

Enjoy!


Thanks!

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       Post #: 4

RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/21/2005 4:18:52 AM   
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Posts: 481
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: Windsor, CO, USA
Status: offline 		Nice job.

I'm planning to do one of these and am also in Colorado.

I have the motor (4120/14), receiver, UBEC, servos, etc., but am waiting for a Kadet Senior as Sig have temporarily ceased shipments while they move to a new factory in China or wherever. I am also planning a tailwheel conversion.

I have also considered trying to take most or all of the dihedral out...how does it fly with it in?

I guess if you found a way to leave the elevator/rudder servos forward you could alleviate some of the aft CG problem...

What kind of flight times are you getting?

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RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/21/2005 6:52:13 PM   
mickey-gem


 

Posts: 105
Joined: 10/13/2004
From: Littleton, CO, USA
Status: offline 		The kadet flew well with the stock dihedral, I was able to perform mild aerobatics, loops and slow rolls.
Note, on this ARF much of the dihedral has already been taken out per the original design. The Kadet Senior KIT
has much more dihedral.

The longest I have flown is about 15 minutes, but I only used about 2000mah of the 3200 packs, so I probably
could push to around 18 minutes with another 2-3 minutes of reserve time left.

I had to call numerous hobby shops in the area before I found one. Colpar East in Aurora Co. had two, I believe
they still have a blue one.

Regards.


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       Post #: 6

RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/21/2005 11:55:15 PM   
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Posts: 481
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: Windsor, CO, USA
Status: offline 		When I look at your picture I don't see much dihedral...

I was thinking of using a 5S Thunderpower (6000mah or 8000mah) as has been done by others. That would put me down 3.7V versus where you are at.

I also have standard size servos. I hadn't considered going to the mighty minis...I am using those on an Accord R&R but that airplane is a bit lighter. They must be working just fine for you though. By putting them in back that was the only way to go.

My standary servos put out 61 ounce/inches of torque versus 42 for the HS-85MGs and weigh 1.6 versus .77 ounces.

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RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/22/2005 12:52:41 AM   
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Posts: 481
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: Windsor, CO, USA
Status: offline 		Actually, the AXI I have for this airplane is a 4130/16, but this should do fine.

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RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/22/2005 1:10:21 AM   
mickey-gem


 

Posts: 105
Joined: 10/13/2004
From: Littleton, CO, USA
Status: offline 		I think Sig made a good call when they decided to produce the ARF version without much
dihedral. I have read many post here in RCU in reference to making modifications to the dihedral on the
KIT version as well as adding ailerons. ( The kit verson only has elevator and rudder)

So Sig did a wonderful job of bringing the ARF version up to date by minimizing dihedral and adding
nice large ailerons, in a very big package! 80 inch wingspan and 64.5 inch length is a nice size plane!
It looks much more scale without the dihedral.

I would definately suggest 5s lipo, I am only using 6s because I already had the two 3s packs. I
have programmed an end point on my throttle so I cannot use the full voltage of the pack. The Axi 4120/14
is only rated for 5s, although the Model Motors web site does give test numbers with an 18cell nicad pack
which is roughly the equivelent of 6s.


Good luck with your e-conversion endeavors!

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RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/22/2005 5:50:10 AM   
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Posts: 481
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: Windsor, CO, USA
Status: offline 		It looks like a lot of fun and I can't wait to get one. You have a lot of ideas I plan to copy. Thanks for the feedback on the battery voltage.

I was thinking of going with the 5S 8000mah but that gives ridiculously long flight times so may go with the 6000mah. With the 8000mah battery I get 32 minutes of flight time at 75% throttle.

Planning to use a 16x10 prop with the 4130/16. That'll give me 33amps at 5500 RPM with 97 ounces of thrust at 5000 feet altitude.

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RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/22/2005 5:58:47 AM   
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Posts: 481
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: Windsor, CO, USA
Status: offline 		Mickey-Gem,

Couple of questions:

* Why the decision to go with the HS-81MGs rather than full size servos? Were (are) you at all worried about the available torque?

* Where do you fly (what part of the state)?

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RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/22/2005 7:36:59 PM   
mickey-gem


 

Posts: 105
Joined: 10/13/2004
From: Littleton, CO, USA
Status: offline 		Well, I have been using the metal gear HS 81's in many of my electric applications with great results.
I am impressed with there torque, size and weight. I wanted to save as much weight as possible all around
since I was adding the tail gear components. I replaced the glow throttle servo with the tailwheel servo,
and in doing so still saved 4.15 oz of weight all around, 5 servos., (also the weight from The very large dowel pushrod
system that came with the kit, probably only one oz. ) I was originally going to use inexpensive Futaba
standard servos which weighed 1.5 oz ( .83 0z heavier than the HS 81) and they produced 42 oz of torque
so the HS 81's are not far off, which at 4.8 v yield 36.1 oz of torque and at 6.0 v yield 41.66 oz of torque.
If you go with the 6V UBEC you will be able to experince the full torque benefit of the very compact servos.
Unfortunatley since I needed more weight in the nose I did away with my 6 volt UBEC. Eventually if I get larger
capacity packs I can take off the nose weight I added (about 3 0z) and replace it with say 4000 mah packs
And my 6 volt UBEC and I should still be at the same weight ( 7 1/2 lbs.) with slightly more flight time.

Other scale planes in the size range of the Kadet Senior, generally weigh in at about 8-10 lbs, and their
control surfaces are much heavier. The Kadets control surfaces are very light in comparison. By mounting
all the servos where I did, the connections are much more solid and the potential for control rod slop
and binding are virtually eliminated.

Also, I purchased this plane for it's very slow, relaxing flight characteristics, so I was not planning to
put to much stress on the control surfaces during flight.

I live in Littleton Colorado, I genarally fly in large open soccer fields near my house. I live near Chatfield
resevoir which has a very nice AMA sanctioned flying field which I would like to fly at in the near future.

Regards,

Jesse

Regards




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RE: Sig Kadet Senior ARF Conv. - 3/22/2005 8:23:37 PM   
Yak18



Posts: 677
Joined: 1/20/2002
From: Southport, FL, USA
Status: offline 		If you are still looking for whee