hi all i picked up a rtf brio 10 minus batts at a rummage sale a month ago it has the eflight 10 motor and is setup for pattern . would like to know what motor and prop setup would be better for this guy i would rather have more torque than speed . is it possible i can just change prop to acheive this? i really dont feel like doing a gearbox setup on this but will if i truly have to i just figured you guys that do this every day will have a better direction. i have searched online for setups etc all i find is eflight junk and i know someone has had or has 1 and have converted it but never posted.

the Power 10 is on the larger size of the recommended motors and should fly the Brio just fine...

what about prop i would give up on the speed to get more thrust  manual calls for the 12x6

what problems are you having with the airframe?? is the 12x6 not working?

Hi madmorgan:

You want a old timer, how about 77? Yes I fly 3d electrics cause I can still see them in close. Ok, the guys told you the motor is adequate, and wonder about your prop size. First things first. Will the thing hover as is without getting motor or battery hot? For what its worth, I stay away from gear systems, just another thing to go wrong and more weight. Buy a watt meeter and use it to find out if your prop or controller is adequate. Just follow the instructions, not rocket sience. You can not really tell where you are at without a watt meeter, a cheep investment that will save you big bucks in a short time.

Now, a pro were are not. I assume you are past your teens. Know that today's kids are not human, so don't try to follow until you can do good rolling circles. Yes I can. A lot of the pros will use 6 pitch props. Great for the pros. Us guys are much better off with a 4 pitch prop. Lets the motor hover without a lot of strain, and best of all, slows things down a bit, bails out with authority. If your setup does not pull you out quickly with ease, find a fix that will. Bigger is not always better, weight is our mutual enemy.

This is a start, read stuff by Red Schoefield, Dr. Kiwi and learn from all including the 3D forum guys. Enjoy

well i had it out 1st time with plane (i fly heli's more) and it was windy i would estimate 12-15 steady mph i hand launched it and it seemed to fly ok didnt really try slow flight i wanted to get a feel for the gal. i noticed that she was flying pretty quick which im not into the speed i would rather have the upper hand on the lower speed / torque range and the control not the speed. anyways to make a long story short i was looking at manual and they suggest a gear box and a diff motor all together for 3d .i know less moving parts to acheive the same thing in a rc is always better and was curious if there was i differant prop i could try to have better power sacraficing the speed . cant do much until spring so i thought i would inquire . i will def get a watt meter and check any decent ones to look at that dont cost a arm and a leg?

Hay madmorgan:

One thing you will find out here is that if you are given poor direction, many of the other guys will jump all over whom ever. Not a bad thing unless you have thin skin.

Props are not expensive, try a 12X4 and note the difference. Go ahead and buy the gear system, you will chuck it if the plane lives long enough. A correct motor and prop is the best way to go, period. Usually the motor, prop, controller and battery is a decent setup that you can live with. Flying electrics is a acquired skill. I can get 15 minutes of good flight with the same equipment the guys can only get 10. I am not necessarily a better pilot, I have learned to apply just enough throttle to do what I want, anything more is a waste of energy.

You need to quit electrics or learn how to size motors, controllers and batteries. The first tool you need is that watt meeter. Yes, the motor or controller will let you know if you are over propping your setup. How? Its going to burn out and force you to keep trying something that will stay alive with normal use.

There are lots of ways to size a motor for the weight of your airframe. I am lazy and do not want to go through all those calculations and motor charts. I want to know what I have is going to put out the power I need before we go flying. How? Lazy remember? Ok, I have a little test stand where the motor fixture is on free running ball bearing wheels (shower door rollers from Low's) kept in line with runners on each side. A eye at the end of the cart takes a 50 lb fish leader that attaches to a good digital fish scale. If setting up a 8 pound airplane, I am looking for around 16 pounds of thrust out of my choice of systems. I know what that sucker is going to give, or not. Yep, a watt meeter sets between the battery and system so I can see what things are actually drawing. A 500 watt motor that is pulling 600 watts gets a smaller pitch prop and or length until its pulling 450 or so without getting hot. If everything is within specks and things get hot, I will go with a slightly higher system even if things are withing their ratings. Manufacturers frequently over rate their products, motors, controllers, batteries etc.

There a great how-to information on the net, you need to learn whats what or pay a nasty price for not doing it. Going to shut up now!! Enjoy