I just ordered a Katana Mini and was planning on using a Park 480 out runner 1020 kv motor with a Castle 40 amp controller and a 3000 mah Li-po with HS-55 servos.

I also have a Himax 2815-4043 geared motor.
Witch one would work best in the Katana mini?

Is there any thing to look out for or change on this plane when building and flying it?

What are your thoughts on this. This is one of my first electrics and I'm still trying to figure this all out.

I would like it to have power enough for 3-d flight.
Thanks for any info or tips.

The 3000 mAh battery is way too big. Something around 2000-2100 is much more suited to this plane. Also, the 2815 is too small. A lot of us are using 2825s though. If you haven't already ordered the motor yet I'd suggest ordering the Torque 2830-1095. Great motor. 18 min. flight times on a 2100 pack and will hover it at half throttle with unlimited vertical, for less weight than the 480. Other than that, hope you have fun with your KM. I love mine. What color did you get?

I am waiting to pick mine up next week ... I am thinking of the Himax 2816-1220, that should turn an APC 11x4.7 @ 7,750 RPM. Good enough?

I remember someone tried the 2816 on the KM. Just barely would go vertical, so he replaced it. I strongly recommend the Torque outrunner from Atlantahobby.com HOvers my KM at half throttle and even after a hard 18 min. flight isn't even warm. I've got it propped for about 28 Amps and it's only rated for 25 burst, but these things everyone will tell you are underrated. There's also the Hacker A-30/28s if you want an outrunner. Look at the thread on RCGroups. About 95% of us use a Torque or Hacker outrunner or the Himaxx 2825 for a geared setup. Hope I helped.

Why not try the PA Carbon Fibre Gearbox and 4200Kv B20L motor combo? It is specifically designed around the Mini Katana.

Woody ... come on you know how much the CF gearbox costs. Please come over soon ok with my prezzies.

Ryguy - Which Torque are you using? I got the Torque 2818/900 (hehehe) with me and its a little too big so I think that might not be the way. You think the 2816 will suffice for aerobatic flying?

I'm using the 2830/1095. I don't know if I've got the KV right. Check out the thread on RCgroups. You'll get a lot more response over there. THe guy that used the 2816 said it took at least 1/2 altitude to hold altitude and the motor came off so hot he couldn't touch it. You really need at least 250 watts to have a good KM setup. THe torque and Hacker outrunners can do this easilly and so can the 2025, heck, even though it's heavy the Park 480 can too. However, the 2015 and 2816 can't.

Ryguy - thanks a lot, its true that the 2816 will get hot when churning out 250W, my Torque 2818 is cool when turning a 12x6E.

Boy you guy's have me even more confused about what motor to run now, ha ha. I have some learning to do for sure. Thanks though, I need all the advice I can get and it is much appreciated. At least I have some motor numbers to look for now. I still really don't understand the whole watts, KV, thing yet but I'll get it.

I just kind of went by the weight numbers. The EFLIGHT 480 motor said it was for planes up to 35oz. I think. The ads I seen for the Katana say it weighs 13oz. so I figured it would be in the ball park.
I was also thinking that the Himax 2815-4043 was in that range too. Like I said, I need to do some more homework.

Chris - I was the same when I started with EP ... motor manufacturers do not use a standard for their motors ... like OS91/Magnum91/G90 etc. KV means how many RPM a motor will turn for every 1V. The higher the KV means the hotter the motor. A hotter motor is generally good for fast planes where you wanna throw a smaller prop (if you used a large one it will be torturing the motor and will be pulling a lot of AMPS, your ESC/batt/motor may be damaged). Its got a lot to do with experimenting, I am not one to use MotorCalc, I read a lot from forums and see what sort of numbers people are getting and then I will go for it. The choice of prop also affects how much current will be drawn and how your plane will perform.

Watts is the amount of power the motor has, its calculated by multiplying the voltage with the amps drawn. Hence, on 11v with 22A you have 232Watts. This you can get from the manufacturers chart of by testing. For great 3D a lot of people want up to about 150W per pound.

When some manufacturers say for planes us to 100 oz they mean things like gliders/sail planes. My usual way of looking at it is to see how many RPM for a certain prop. E.g. a certain 3D plane of say 24 oz will have great performance if the motor can turn an APC 11x4.5 @ 7,750 RPM.

I hear the KM is not 13 oz! It probably is when EMPTY!

The AUW should come in between 26 to 27 ounces. I am going to use the AXI 2808/24 but a Hacker A-30/28s would also work well. Use a TP 2100 3S Battery. I had the AXI 2808/24 on a 26 ounce mini-funtana and had plenty of vertical.

A 2808 would work fine, but I prefer a lower KV so that you can turn a bigger prop for more thrust.

A 2808 would work fine, but I prefer a lower KV so that you can turn a bigger prop for more thrust.

I have 2 KMs. The Purple one has HiMax 2025 5300. Cobri geared 6.9:1. 12x6sf prop. Pulls 29amps. The Red one has HiMax 2025 4200. Cobri geared 6.1:1. 12x6sf prop. Pulls 23amps. I used to have the CF gearbox and blue shark motor from PA on the red one ("The Red One" video below uses the CF geared setup setup). But I over propped it and toasted the motor. I also have a bad habit of "dirt-flirting" and I kept bending the shaft on the CF gear-box. It's a really light set-up but the shaft is pretty soft.

Video of the Purple one is here: http://www.atlantahobby.com/shopexd.asp?id=5969

No-frills video of the Red one is here: http://s58.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2...I0LXUNPDYZNY33

I love this plane. Strong. Light. Suits my flying style just right. -Fred

fmidgett - now I can get a feel of the power ... this plane loves a 12x6 I guess. Choices ... a 2816 or a 2025 ... outrunner vs. inrunner!

For me, the 12x6sf is THE prop for this plane. I think that's because I like to hover and I need a little help from the plane. I've flown it with just about every prop between 10x4.7sf to 12x6e. A lot of guys use the 11x5.5e. But I have just gotten used to this plane as a slow floater, not a streaking pattern ship. Prop choice will allow you to do either to some degree. Pretty versitile ship. Now that I have adapted to throttle-on landings it feels wierd with an e prop that allows the plane to glide fast. But different strokes for different folks. Good luck with yours. -Fred

I have a Hyperion 330L with a rimfire motor, 1350 lipo Pack. It has plenty of power and fast.
I really enjoy it. I think you wuld be very happy with it.

Tailspincharlie