I'm new to electrics, so please bear with me:
Can I replace the stock can motor in my GWS Zero, with an Astro 010 brushless? Is this the right size and power? I'm running a 720mah 8-cell nmh pack.

I'm guesing I'll need a brushless motor controller as well. Who sells this combination?

Thanks

I don't know much about the GWS Zero. But I've used the 010 in a Sokol Pylon racer with 8 Cells. It was a great combo. But the Sokol is a low drag airframe.

You should post the specs on the Zero. And are you planning to use a gearbox?

I think Tower sells Astro products.

IMHO, it's a waste of a perfectly good brushless motor on an airplane that doesn't need it.

If you would still like to give it a try, and please don't let my opinion deter you from trying, I would go with the 3.3:1 geared setup and the recommended 8x6 prop. The plane is much too draggy to take advantage of direct drive, and the tiny 4.7"x4.7" prop would barely stick out beyond the cowl!

Oh, almost forgot about the where to buy part... You can buy direct from AstroFlight at www.astroflight.com. You can buy from Tower Hobbies. You can buy from Hobby People. You can search the web for "AstroFlight Brushless motors."

By the way, the tiny Astro motors generally come with the speed control already pre-wired.

Spindoctor,

Personally I'd have thought that the Mega 16/15/6 or /7 would be a far better than than Astro if you want brushless as it will be fine with existing 7 or 8 cell packs whereas you may need more cells for the 010. Also the /6 or /7 will happily turn an 8" or 9" prop direct with no gearing so you save the cost of a gearbox (and the hassle/efficiency loss).

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to mention it here but if you go to ezonemag.com and look in the Open Discussion forum for a thread called "Throw away you 400 motors" you will find more than you probably ever thought possible on the subject of Mega brushless motors. I've also read separate threads their about the GWS Zero and brushless in particular.

I've just ordered a 16/15/6 to use in my Switchback but I've also got a Zero waiting to be built and intend to swap the motor into that to see how it performs - though it might be a while before I get around to this as I'd like to try the Zero on the GWS power system first.

Cliff

Yikes, if the Astro is overkill, a 400-size Mega will pluck the wings clean off that poor little plane!

I have the GWS stick fd and anything stronger than stock would tear the wings off this puppy... but I'd like to (as soon as I finish destroying this one ) move up to the zero or the new mustang (ie I do like the GWS kits) but I want to move up in speed too, not float around like the stick does, a power dive already broke the wings once so, I read this thread with interest,, do keep us posted whichever way you go,, but the brushless motors and controllers do seem rather high dollar.......Rog

Thanks for the ideas and comments. The stock motor (on an 8-cell AAA NimH pack) is a good performer: ROG takeoffs, inverted flight, loops, etc. GWS's specifications for battery and ESC are on the low side, at best. I run a Pixie 7 amp ESC and an FMA micro 5-channel rcvr (Both are great, btw)

The included can motor ain't gunna last forever. I was reading a review of the Astro motor and thought it might be a good upgrade. I think.


Thanks,

(Waiting for the Mustang, hoping for a P-38)

You might want to check into the Astro Colbalt coreless Firefly. Not on Astro web site and available at Tower for $60. Motor, gearbox and brushless controller with prop. Replacement for 280 motors. Slightly smaller than the 010 - weighs 12 grams and draws one amp. $90 direct from Asto BTW. Tower part numbers TH1141 for 4:1 gearbox and TH4001 16:1 gearbox.

should have kept my mouth shut, looks like I have destroyed my stick, post is in backyard flyers, its stuck in a tree in a school yard as I write this , and I'm still listening for ideas to get it down thanks......Rog

>>its stuck in a tree in a school yard as I write this , and I'm still listening for ideas to get
it down thanks..<<

Fly with some guys that fly major tree areas all the time (slope flyers). Several suggestions. One is aluminum downspouts pushed together to the length you need. Another is aluminum tent polls if you can find enough to get that high.

Personally I use electical conduit. 1/2 inside of 3/4 inside of 1 inside of 1 1/4. Drilled a hole and brazed a 1/4 nut over the hole. Got 4 wing screws in 1/4 as set screws. I don't put the 1 1/4 on unless I need the height as it makes it very heavy. About 28 feet without the 1 1/4 and 37 with. Good luck.

Also added a conduit fork on a 1/2 fitting to add to the top if needed to push the plane up away from branches.