I am in the oppertunity to take over a ZNLine Twister which is currently set up for a Hacker C50. I was wondering how much effort it would take to convert this to a Plettenberg EVO 30-10. I cannot imagine it is a drop in replacement!

Or would it be smarter just to copy the setup and buy a Hacker+Opti myself?

Volkert

In the meantime I found this post on the Plettenberg mount:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7712315

and here a nice Hacker install:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3525706

What I haven't found sofar is a clean picture of a install of a Pletty in the spinner. How strong should the nose be to take the load?

Hi Volkert,
One year ago I was in exactly the same situation, bought a Synergy from a fellow F3A flyer as a start with electrics. For me it seemed logical then to use the same mount and use the same engine, a Hacker C50. After one year of experience with the Hacker I am not sure if this was the best decision. You have read about it on the Dutch forum.
I'm preparing a new model with a Plettenberg for season 2009. Perhaps some picture are of help.
Hans

Hi Hans,

Looks like you may have to be very careful with your fuse length using that spinner/motor set-up. Might be pushing the 2 metre limit with some designs.

Cheers
Jason.

Thanks Jason, it is quite OK with 198cm

Hans, did you specificly strenghten the nose section? If so, in what way? Did you mount the engine on your Abbra or Synergy?

I personally prefer the Plettenberg route even though at this moment the majority of top fliers is with the inrunner/gearbox setup.

Originally the Evo30-10 came with the Schulze controller, now it is sold with the Jeti-99. Any comments on pro's and con's of both controllers?

Volkert

Hi Volkert, the model on the pictures is the ABBRA. The Synergy you have seen me flying with in Son, I was the only electric flyer, was equipped with the Hacker. On the pictures you can see the honycomb-plate to mount the controller. This plate has made the nose less prone to torsion. I hope that will be enough.
My experiences with the hacker gearbox is that after cleaning and greasing it starts to make more noise after 15 flights and after 30 flights it looses rpm's. Mainly the latter is unacceptable for me to have a drive that has no constant power output. If it is cleaned and greased again it is OK for the next 30 flights. According to Hacker the grease should become thinner in time and do a better greasing job. When I open the gearbox the grease it is dark gray, thick and in the corners.
On the other hand I like the characteristics of the motor very much. For me as a drive it is superb, the gearbox is not. In one of the posts here about the Neu-motor it was a disappointment for me that they choose for a similar gearbox.
The nex year will learn if the Plettenberg will make me forget the Hacker or that will switch back and take the greasing troubles for granted.
I can only speak of the Jeti. It works without any troubles so far. I have heard form Bert vd Vecht that they switched fom Schulze to Jeti.

Volkert

If you use a firewall mount like the way I do it then you don't need to add any additional strength. On my Integrals I used 1/4" lite-ply with carbon facing to make it a little more rigid. I have not used the motor in the spinner so I dont know if you need extra strength or not. I think the folding props reduce a lot of the forces on the airframe though, so its probably not as critical.

Both the Schulze and Jeti work fine, the brake is probably the biggest difference. I think the brakes both basically function the same, but the way the user sets them up is quite different. I think the Schulze is a little more work to set up the brake initially, but offers more flexibility once its setup. Either ESC works well though.

Hans,

I can't imagine you will be disappointed with the Pletty! As good performance as the Hacker without any maintenance I still use one of the original prototype motors in my primary model (will be 3 yrs old in July), and it has never let me down.

Hans, Chad, great feedback. Thanks guys!

Volkert

Hi Volkert,

Did you buy the plane?

Are you going to fly pattern-contests again?

Greetz

Hans, let us know how this motor installation works out. I'd be tempted to add a bulkhead at the point where one would normally have a firewall. It could have a large hole in it and still add a lot of torsional stiffness to the nose.

Jim O

Yep, the Twister has a proud new owner!

I will be participating this year although I am not sure to use the Twister immediately for that; maybe next year.

Volkert

Ah nice, then I'll be seeing you a lot this year C-class again?

Greetz.

C-class first time, actually!