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Old 01-12-2008 | 10:04 PM
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Campgems
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From: Arroyo Grande, CA
Default RE: Balencing for the first time.

Depending on the motor, battery and what not, you can end up adding quite a bit of weight to balance. One example is the Sig 4*60. There are three of them at our field. All kit built which will add a bit more weight variable. I'll throw in a fourth which was my first one. Mine use a Magnum 91 four stroke. One is using a Saito four stroke, around the same size and the last is using an larger two stroke. My first plane used the stock motor mounts and I had to add 5 1/2 oz in steel behind the motor mounts which also pushed the weight of the motor forward. My second used the same motor and Dubro mounts and I find I am about right by just moving the battery back. I may need to add an ounce on the tail. The one with the saito has 1 lb of lead under the engine. THe one with the 2 stroke has the rudder and elevator servos moved way back and it still needed a couple ounces of tail weight to balance out. Quiet a spread on the same model.

Your 4 1/2 oz could be a bit much on a 2 lb plane. Have you tried moving weight forward, IE the batteries for one. If you can't balance by moving the radio equipment, the your option is to move the motor forward (screws up a cowl tough) or adding weight. One other thing to look at, if you have to add weight, a larger motor will some times solve that problem and give you higher performance in the process. IE adding usefull weight vs dead weight. Bottom line though is you do what you have to do to get it to balance. Remember that removing an ounce from the tail is about the same as adding five ounces to the nose. You may look aft to see if there is some weight you can shead. Last, box weight claims are not very accurate. Some weigh an empty plane, no radio or motor, some flight ready and then the motor and batterys used make a big difference. Just use that weight as a big ball park number.

Don