Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane?

Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane?
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Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane? - 5/7/2008 2:32:02 AM

shd3920

Posts: 254
Joined: 8/6/2007
From: Pittsfield, MA, USA
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I am going to order this power pod
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&W=001058804&I=LXJ769&P=K
unless I am told that the Eflite 450 outboard motor shown here
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLM1400
has enough power to launch my Tower Hobbies Vista 2 Meter Sailplane ARF
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&W=001058804&I=LXLGM5&P=K
and if anyone knows of a way to install the Eflite to the nose of the sailplane.

If they are alright to use I already have the motor, 20amp ESC, and battery packs.

Post #: 1

RE: Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane? - 5/7/2008 2:42:56 AM

Alex.schweig

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Joined: 5/29/2006
From: LimaLima, PERU
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If my friends can motor stripped from a hair drier equipped with 2100 mah lipos can launch his Vista, I am sure that motor could pull it along. Be careful with the prop though. My friend Oscar is running a large slo-flier prop from APC. I would recommend you go for props that can haul a lot of toque at low speed because that is what youll need. Watch the amps-torque setups pull lots of juice.

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Post #: 2

RE: Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane? - 5/7/2008 3:10:11 AM

shd3920

Posts: 254
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From: Pittsfield, MA, USA
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For the prop how would this be?
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&W=001058804&I=LXZL03&P=K

So it may be possible to use an Eflite motor.
How would one go about installing it on a sailplane such as mine that has a canopy so close to the front and the nose cone already formed on the fuselage?

(in reply to Alex.schweig)

Post #: 3

RE: Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane? - 5/7/2008 3:16:53 AM

Alex.schweig

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From: LimaLima, PERU
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I have no idea of what prop size to run. I personally do not fly electrics very much. About installation. The nose cone is a block layered wood glued and sanded to form a block right? Then there is a small "firewall" that separates the cabin from the nose cone/block. You must cut off about 3/4 of the cone, then install the outrunner motor and its prop and spinner. When the motor is installed, the spinner should not be much bigger than the cone. You can leave the motor uncovered or make yourself a cowl. But, with outrunner motors, it is best to leave them exposed to the airflow so that their radial cooling system can efficiently work. Be sure to cut some sort of vent (not too large) for the batteries to cool down. You should cut it at the bottom or top of the fuse, using a plastic air scoop if desired to help with the cooling. Sorry of I cant help with the prop sizes.

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RE: Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane? - 5/7/2008 3:17:01 AM

shd3920

Posts: 254
Joined: 8/6/2007
From: Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Here is a Tower Hobbies Vista EP Sailplane ARF with a 550 motor in it.
This shows it can be made with a motor in the nose.
1) How would it be done to be sure the front remains absolutely straight and true without cutting into the canopy?
2) The electric shown has a 550 motor, so is it really possible to use a 450?

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Post #: 5

RE: Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane? - 5/7/2008 5:40:55 PM

spiral_72

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Joined: 3/7/2007
From: Chesnee, SC, USA
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The 550 will pull haul the plane in the air at about a 15degree angle. If all you want to do is get it into the air and thermal, I'd say the 450 will be plenty plus some. If you are going to actually fly and do aerobatics with it on the motor, the 550 would surely benefit.

There was a guy at the field with a (pretty sure it was a) Vista and a tiny, tiny motor on it. It barely climbed, but that little motor whizzed for about 10minutes and give him probably 400ft altitude. He just didn't climb very fast.

For mounting the motor on the nose, I'm sure there's instructions on RCU. Maybe Google it, but it's not too bad. If it's your first plane, first modification, totally new hobby: maybe you can make a power pod that rubber bands on top of the wing. It looks dumb, but the pod is almost as good as the motor in the nose...... Put your battery, ESC and motor in the pod.

Just an idea.

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RE: Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane? - 5/8/2008 1:08:05 PM

Strat2003

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Joined: 3/9/2003
From: Mt. Pleasant, OH, AFGHANISTAN
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This question has been asked a lot, and the simple answer is "yes".
People will tell you that that setup will give you a sluggish climb that takes a week to get to altitude, that you need much more power to have a usable airplane and you're a fool if you try to do otherwise, but that's not the case.
Several guys in my area have been flying airplanes like Gentle Ladys and 2X6's which are very similar in size to yours on E Flite 400 Park outrunners on 3-cell lipos of about 1250 to 1500 mAh capacity with very pleasing results. We've propped them to run at about 90 to 130 Watts (which means something like an 8X6 to 9X6 APC slow flyer prop) and have measured them getting to over 600 feet in a minute. Depending on all-up weight (they range from 22 to 32 ounces) the climb angle is around 45 degrees.
They'll fly in any wind you'd fly a Gentle Lady in.
Most of the Gentle Lady guys just whack off the noseblock and bolt the motor to the first former. Ugly, but it works.
If your'e looking to get into serious competetion, go ahead, knock yourself out with a system that will get you up in 10 seconds, but for nice sport flying that 450 will do you just fine!

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Post #: 7

RE: Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane? - 5/8/2008 7:10:14 PM

spiral_72

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From: Chesnee, SC, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Strat2003
the climb angle is around 45 degrees.

45 degrees!!? Wow.

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RE: Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane? - 5/8/2008 10:15:26 PM

Red hobbies

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Joined: 2/16/2006
From: MIAMI, FL, USA
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At the field, saw EP sailplane went up almost vetical about 70 Degree.... guy got big folder-prop(i think CAM), E-flite-motor(4got the size of motor) and the esc but it flew awesome!

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Post #: 9

RE: Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane? - 5/9/2008 1:14:09 AM

Tall Paul

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From: Palmdale, CA, USA
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I get good performance with 370 and 400 outrunners in 2-meter planes.
The 450 is really a lot more powerful than these, and should yank it up nicely!

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Post #: 10

RE: Is an Eflite 450 enough power to launch a sailplane? - 5/11/2008 2:14:00 AM

scaflock

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Joined: 1/7/2008
From: Bonaire, GA, USA
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I just finished up a Paragon (old kit t hat I've held on to for many years) that I made a second fuselage with an E-Flight power 25 outrunner for. This is a 3 meter plane and the motor has plenty of power for sport flying. The thing will never be mistaken for a hotliner, but it climbs pretty good and I can get several climb outs to thermal height off a single charge of the 4 cell lipo.

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Post #: 11

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