Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

:D This is my LAST attempt at a conversion glo to electric for the SPA. I know it's ugly but ya gottta do what's necessary to make it light and for the thing to work. Weights: Wing: 1 lb. 8 oz. Fuse w/o battery: 3.7 pounds, Battery: 1 lb. 4 oz. Total : +/- 6lbs 6 0z. Should be light enough for thr E-Elight power .60 with Castle 80amp ESC and 4000mah 6S battery. He are some pix. Test flight tomorrow. Hope I don't re-kit the plane. ( It started out as a Bluejay kit but I substituted a foam wing and stab from Dynamic balsa. )

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

Skip,

Only thing I was looking for was more cooling for the battery, don't for get for every 1 sq inch in you need 2 sq inches out to get proper air flow.

keep us up to date..

scott anderson

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

Thanks Scott, I have a large exit in the middle of the bottom of the fuse as well as two intake scoops and a bottom grill opening to cool the ESC. I hope what I have done will do the trick. I'll start with a quick 5 minute flight and measure the battery temp and then make changes if necessary. Skip

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

:D:D I test flew the DB in high winds and was impressed with the plane. But I think I am going to go in a new direction and replace my motor with a higher kv rating to spin a smaller prop faster. My setup did not match the performance of my OS 91 four stroke. The plane as it is now is OK for Sportsman pattern but lacks the vertical I am seeking. It did just fine with a 15x10 prop and 800 watts. I am looking to increase to at least 1100 watts.

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

Skip,

Do about 150 watts for pound of plane (RTF) this will help get you in the ball park for the motor.

Scott Anderson
Team Castle Creations
SPA 239

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

Hi Skip,
Just add pitch! Try a 15-12 and a 15-13. It looks like your battery may be the current limiting factor.
What is it rated for? Brand?
If you can safely push it to 60 A then you will be very happy with the performance.
The 800 W you describe is only about 37A, you need to load the motor harder.
Don't worry if the pitch ends up at a wierd number to get the speed you desire: you could end up with a 14-14 prop!

Regards,
Dean Pappas

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

Hi Skip,
I believe we met at the SPA contest in Prattville, AL last month. I believe (based on our conversation) that you just need a new battery pack (one that will hold 3.7 volts/cell under a 60-65 amp load)...... and a different prop. APC makes a 15x 13.5 (3 blade) that should do nicely.
Another option would be a pack like you have with 1 more cell (7s). If you are using 10C cells, then 7S would give you about 1100 watts with a 15x10.
As light as your setup is now, the 7S option (with 10C cells) might be the least expensive way to go. Will your ESC handle 7S ?
Ed

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

:D Hi Ed, I don't have room in the fuse for a bigger battery. I am going to try a Scorpion 4025 series spinning a 13x8 prop. I agree I need to draw about 60 amps and at least 1200 watts to get the performance I need. In about a week I should have all the components I need installed in the D.B. I like experimenting because you learn a lot. It is very possible a better battery will solve the problem. I have a Zippy 3700 mah coming tomorrow. By the way, I have tried a 15x8, 15x10 , and a 16x10 will no better results so I will try another solution ie. higher kv motor and stronger battery. Skip

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

Skip,
A Scorpion 4025-10 with a Zippy Rhino 6S 3700 pack will make right at 1300 watts with a 13x8 APC-E prop. You should be orgasmic with the performance improvement :).
Ed

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

:D:D:D Orgasmic? I like that !!

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

looks nice, I belive we will see more and more electrics in the SPA and more and more Old farts glo and nothing but glow pilots whine about them beating them lol. Keep us up to date.

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

:D I just put my combo on the watt meter. ( Zippy 22.1volt /3700mah Rhino and Scorpion 4025-10) With a 13x8 prop and castle 80 amp esc I am pulling 51 amps and 1180 watts. I will try a 13x10 soon.

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

Skip,
Try another timing setting on the CC80. You might be surprised with the results. You can expect the 6S pack you have to hold 3.7 to 3.75V/cell at 60 to 70 amps load without protesting or heating up. So, that means the pack will be holding 22.2 to 25.5 volts .... prop it for 60 amps any you will be making 1332 watts minimum, while being "easy" on the system. FYI ...... I've run this system at 1600 watts without any problems.
Ed

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

[&o] What or where do I find the timing settings on my Castle link.? Do I increase the timing? Skip

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

Skip,
I only have experience with one CC ESC (HV 85) and that is with a geared inrunner motor. I'm using a Jeti Spin 75 and a Jeti Advance 77 on my 4025-10, and 4025-12. I'm using the high (outrunner) timing setting on the Jeti 77, and 15 degrees advance on the Jeti Spin 75.
Basically, I'm suggesting that you increase the timing from your current (probably the default CC 80 settings). I just wanted you to try this to see if you make more power that way. If so, and your motor does not run hot (mine does not at 1300+ watts) then it would be simpler to do that than to use a larger prop.
In looking at the CC instructions, it seems to be a PITA to change the timing manually. I purchased a Castle Link with my HV85. I downloaded the Castle software from their website, hooked up my controller, and set the HV85's settings from the menu. Here's a link to the CC info. If you have the CC Link, it should not be too hard to increase the timing ...... if it is ..... just ignore my suggestion.
Ed

http://www.castlecreations.com/products/phoenix-80.html

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

:D On a freshly charged Zippy Rhino 3700 I got 60 amps and 1500 watts today on the bench !! Unbelievable. I don't think I'll need any more power. Skip ..... I'll test fly in a few days when the weather improves .

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

Ha, Ha, Ha :) :)
Glad to see you are getting the same results as I am with the Scorpion 4025-10 in my ARF WM Intruder R90. I'm at 7.9 lbs and about 1450 watts .....so ..... you should be ballistic at under 7 lbs !!
Let us know how she flies.
Ed

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

:D:D:DMy plane weighs about 6 3/4 pounds. It's almost too light for really windy days. With this combo I can expand my choice of planes. I am about to scratch build a Phantom and will decide whether to go electric on it or the usual OS 91. It is a lot of work trying to make room for the large battery and needed hatch. I am not much of a re-designer and it gives me headaches to deviate from plans too much. It seems I always forget something . Thanks for your input Ed, It has been fun.

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

Skip,
Have you had a chance to fly it yet ? Just curious as to your impression.
Tom Stennis flew his Sid Austin ARC version Curare on 5S with an E Flite Power 60. He said it flew well, but he wanted more vertical grunt. He switched to an AXI 4120/14, and said he is happy on 5S. He is also (like you) very light .... about 6 3/4 lbs.
I'm waiting on my own Sid Austin ARC Curare, but I'm going 6S like you. I'll be going with trike gear .... hope to be about 7.0 lbs.
Ed

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

:D:D Ed, I have flown the plane many times now. It has all the performance I could ask for and then some. I wish I could have flown the plane in calm air but it's been very windy and cold here so far. I will not stop flying with the OS .91 because I have three of them with three SPA [planes and one being built this winter. I have thoroughly enjoyed the electric experiment (thanks to your great advice) In the right hands this electric Dirty Birdy could place very well. I also have several other electric planes both large and small I fly for fun with the same batteries I use on the DB so it has been a worthwhile investment.

RE: Electric Dirty Birdy conversion
 

Skip,
That is good to hear. I'm always happy to help :). I'll have a couple new SPA birds on 6S electric power for '09. I'll be having fun .... reliving the '70's this winter, while building them :).
I'll be looking forward to seeing your Dirty Birdy at SPA events next year.
Ed