SuperCap CG Problem
 

I completed the SuperCap with the following config:

1. Hacker A20-20L with X20 speed controller
2. Apogee 11.1v 2100mah battery
3. APC 10x 4.7 prop
4. 1 3/4" spiner

Mounted the battery all the way upfront the fuse. Accoording to the manual the CG is supposed to be at 3" from LE of the wings. I am very, very tail heavy. I am sure I can put lead weights but seems like that is going to be quite a bit.

Anyone build these SuperCap and how did you solve this problem??

ANy help would be appreciated.

Kris

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

Hi Kris,
Im suprised your coming out that tail heavy. What did you use to build the plane? Did you make any changes? I am running a smaller motor and smaller battery so have less nose weight than you do and mine is fine.. Have you flown it?

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

John,
I absolutely made no changes. I used Elmers Glue to glue the skins together and used Testors spray and used around 11/2 cans but thats it. I have not flown it yet because the CG is an issue. Any clues??

Is the CG 3" from the LE??

Kris

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

the cg on mine is just behind the LE skin.

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

John,
I am confused. What do you mean by just behind?? Can you specify in inches? I just put 2 lead weights in front with a 3" CG and it balances out fine. Do you think this is okay?

Kris

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

Mine is about 4" back at the root, and its pretty tail heavy there. yours will be fine

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

John,
One thing I forgot to mention is that I have installed the landing gear too. Do you think this is why I am so tail heavy??

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

Nope, the gear go in front of the CG.

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

I had (thought I had) the same problem with my SC. I have the same set up as yours, only I have a TP 1320 LiPo. Being new to 3D I wanted to balance the plane to specs. With the the battery hanging of the nose, and 1.5 oz. lead on the other side It balanced at the 3" mark. I was very disappointed with the plane at that point as well. It was weighing it at 20 oz with the lead on it.

So upon the test flight I set out to set up the CG. After the first flight the lead came off, from there the battery went further, and further rearward. The CG is now 4 to 4 1/4" back.

I now have 54 flights on her without missing a beat! All I do this plane is flyit! I can't say enough good about this plane!

I am now doing maneuvers I though were never possible :D:D:D:D:D:D

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

SuperKaos,
Thanks for the reply.

I managed to balance it with the lead weights at the nose. It flew quite well except that on an inverted flight I had to give a lot of down elevator. I have not flown it much because I am in New Jersey and weather has been quite bad lately. I will need to readjust the balance point and try it again.

So the plane flew well even at 4" CG. That is good. I will give that a try also.

Thanks
Kris

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

Yeap, that's how mine was on the test flight. Pull the weight and try it, then start sliding the battery back and it'll all be fun flyin from there on ;)

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

SuperKaos,
Took your advise and removed all the lead weights in front and still flew great. Off course I still had give some down elevator on the inverted flight. Maybe today I will move the battery back a little and see if it helps. But if flew a whole lot better with the weights off.

Will keep you posted.

Kris

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

Awesome! Glad to hear it! I just took a measurement of how far I moved the battery to aft. I moved it a total of 2"

So far the only thing I don't like about the plane (the way I have it set up) is it likes to tip stall when making tight rudder/flat turns. Like when you're trying to fly low on the deck.

Let me know how yours is once you get it set up.

Other than that it's blast. Today I started hovering 3' off the ground. I would start by doing a slow slow & low pass, slowly pulling the nose up to a hover.

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

SuperKaos,
Actually I forgot to mention -- while flying mine for about 6mins or so the motor cuts outs in flight. This has happened every time I fly. I land it and then after about 10secs it flies again. I called Hacker about this problem and they think the motor could be shorting out. They asked me to return it for a new replacement. So I can't fly for a few days.

Also your problem with tip stall is probably due to LATERAL Balance. I have very small tiny lead weight at the tip of my left wing. I have found that when a plane is laterally balanced, landing is aways a breeze. In fact you can float the plane in at landing. The SuperCap actually slows to a crawl while landing. Landing is a lot of fun. Try balancing yours and I bet you that is the problem.

Will keep you posted.

Kris

RE: SuperCap CG Problem
 

Sounds like it's heating up? Did you balance the prop?

I balanced mine laterally as well, is does everything else fine. Later I will play with the CG and see it that helps...