odd motor troubles
 

Hello everyone. After years and years of wanting to get into RC airplanes, I found an Aero Cruiser at a garage sale this past weekend for $20....minus the main wing.

I've got everything working properly(minus the main wing of course), but I'm experiencing weird motor problems. Without the prop in place, when I start up the motor it runs perfectly. I have full control over throttle and what not, however, if I simply attach the prop and try to start it back up, it won't kick in unless I hold down the start button located on the aircraft. If I remove the prop, it runs perfectly again. I'm all out of ideas. I had it working fine last night even with the prop on. Tonight it doesn't want to play ball. Anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this?

Thanks in Advance

Chris

EDIT: I almost forgot...the throttle has 4 levels, including off. If I have it set on the first(slowest) setting, it'll start up and run...but the second I move the throttle up, it dies.

RE: odd motor troubles
 

Thunderdome, I'm not sure, but sounds like the radio slider
or speed control is dirty/worn on the upper settings?? But thats
just a guess on my part.. You may be able to see check the
radio... But sometimes it may be better to have someone
check it that has done it before.... But if your careful when
opening the radio, you could get a better picture of whats
causing your problem.. Now I said the above because you
said the motor runs on the lowest setting... Hope this helps!l

You may get more replies/help in the electric fourm...

RE: odd motor troubles
 

maby the drag off the prop has somthing to do with it.

RE: odd motor troubles
 

I would suggest cleaning ON/OFF switch with methanol. This will remove carbon if any.

By the way, who gave you the idea of starting it without prop? Never do that. Its bad for motor.....

Take care.

RE: odd motor troubles
 

Hi1
It's just an electric motor so it doesn't matter if you run it with or without a prop!
Problem with motor not working when the prop is on might be that there is to much load on the motor, too big prop! are you sure you have the right size prop on?
Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

RE: odd motor troubles
 

Not familiar with this plane but its probably a cheap $10 can motor, and it's probably worn out ,,I had a GWS stick and it would go between 30-50 flights before the motor would just start to short itself out, it acts like the battery is dying,flights would go from 11 minutes down to about 4 or 5 minutes....and then get worse...Rog

RE: odd motor troubles
 

hmmm...being a used aircraft certainly doesn't help narrow down the problem. It came with 2 probs which match the pictures of the prop used on the hobbico website, so I'm pretty positive I have the correct prop. I've applied pressure from all angles while the motor is running propless, but it doesn't cut out, so it doesn't appear to be a problem with torque. One crazy longshot theory I had...it was raining last night and I was wondering if the prop was washing humid air(not rain) into the engine which was keeping it from running. I'm gonna mount the prop backwards and see what happens. I will keep all your ideas in mind and go fiddle with it some more tonight. We'll see how it goes. Thanks again for the help. ;)

RE: odd motor troubles
 

What about the battery ESC combo.. Maybe the Battery is too much for the ESC ... or not enough

RE: odd motor troubles
 

ok..I got it. Checked the website...I'm sure all RC planes have this and I'm just a noob..but the motor is SUPPOSE to cut out when the battery gets low so you still have power for the servos and are able to fly it back in for a landing. I'm still not sure how that would make it work without a prop and not with one, but I just charged the battery and it worked fine until it got low again. Sorry for such a noob question, and thanks for the help. :D

Chris

RE: odd motor troubles
 

With the prop on the current draw will be more than without it which will cause the voltage to sag and since the battery is already getting low the controller will detect this and cut out the motor.

RE: odd motor troubles
 

Guys!!!!

Isnt this the gas powered planes section?

Is this thread about electric powered plane?

Confusing.........

RE: odd motor troubles
 

It certainly leans toward gas and glow power, but I don't recall seeing anything in the description that limits it to these. I thought it was simply an R/C Airplane Beginner forum. I think it's great to mix fuel and electrics together for some discussions, it helps us learn new things. It also opens up more choices to beginners.