RCaillouet

Am looking into getting a Laser Mini 3D or the NE Sailplaes Accord II. Am looking for some help with it though, before I buy. First question, do the things have enough room inside for 8-10 cell packs both NIMH and NICADS around 800 - 1300 Mah? Second and more importantly WHAT POWER SYSTEM? I am not looking for all out 3d, but would like some decent performance. Also, am a military family man on limited budget, so most of the tru high end brushless will be out of the question, but if I could get a power system with controller for under $150, I could possibly convince the wife. Was also wondering if at least for the first little bit, what someone my think of putting either a 400 or 480 size brushed in it? What about a the Wattage Cobalt 400? Break in is no problem as I am more patient and am willing to make things run right before flying! Am leaning more toward the Mini Laser over the Accord, but I like both! Also, I may be hand launching the plane and belly landing on grass, any problems with this on these planes?

Thanks,

Reg

rmh

My own findings are that most of the recommended power combos for newcomers are toooo wimpy and the customer ends up with a nice plane - a nice motor -some nice batteries and a poor flying combo.
Look at TOTAL flying weight and wing area before you buy anything.
For outdoor flying in calm weather --you can get wonderful performance from a $25.00 motor-a 35 dollar controller and a 40 dollar battery.
Thats 100 bucks-
add a 50 dollar charger - you get 150 -your budget.
The motor-a 35o GWS ball bearing - the controller - A GWS or similar
the battery a 1500 Ma 2 cell Kokam LiPo
the charger a Hobbico Mk11. or a good two/3 cell charger
The total model must weigh under 13 ounces -for hover flight
for flying and loops and rolls - go on up to almost twenty ozs
The model can be whatever rings your bells but the best setup for light and durable is simply cut out of 1/4" thick foam . about 300 square " to 350 sq in .
these foamies wil take a hell of a lot of abuse and when you do stuff em in - and you will -they easily fix .
get one to fly while you build your "pretty plane".

RCaillouet

Sorry but I guess that a little more info should have been given. First I halready have a Great Planes Triton charger. Secondly is that the cost I have put forth for the power system is JUST for the motor, gear box (if any,) AND speed controller. The cost of batteries are a sort of fixed cost to me that goes with buying the airplane. After all, you can't fly them with out it! I am just trying to figure out what type set up would be best for those 2 airplanes, and how much room I might have inside of the for the battery back.

Thanks,

Reg

LowAndSlow

My Feedback: (5)

As far as room for battery packs, you might e-mail Sal at Northeast Sailplanes with that question. I am flying a 74", 28 oz. glider with the super cobalt 400 motor,and getting very good performance. It is at its best in direct drive, with a 7x4 prop, using 15 to 20 amps on 7 & 8 cell KAN 1050 NiMh packs. Many of the earlier super co.400's (gold and blue models) came apart after a few flights, including my blue one. Hobby People replaced mine, and so far it is running well. This motor has a lot of resistance, and wastes watts, and with the 27 turns, is not suited very well for a gearbox. If you can get a Promax cobalt 400 with a gearbox around 2:1, then I think the Accord would really perform!

Lots of luck! John