Lizlips

I just flew my A-10 for the first time today. I have the EDF-50H fans in it. and i am using a 3 cell li poly pack (11.1V 860mah) and it flys fine. its a little under powered but has enough to fly. it takes off in about 10 feet.

Lizlips

Are the EDF-55 more powerfull? Do they weigh more?

A10FLYR

My Feedback: (1)

Yes and yes. With the 55s and 2s pack it would just make a long glide to the ground. With the 50s and 5 bladed fans it will fly for 15 minutes. We will try a new 3S pack and 55s this friday

By the way......plane looks good. Amazing what a little paint can do.

Newmanator

I know this post is a little old but what the heck...

I recently bought the A-10 EDF-55 300-H. It went together relatively easy however when it was time to setup the COG I realized that the 8 cell aaa batteries I had were not going to cut it. With the pack installed the plane would not sit on all three wheels so I got out the rubber bands and attached some other packs I had laying around to test the COG. What I found was that my 8 Cell Can 1200 Mah pack worked great. I had to mod the battery compartment by cutting out 1/2 inch of foam aft of the original Mount. I cut the old mount so that I could still close the copmparment door to keep the batteries from ejecting during flight.

1St flight -- Taxied applied full throttle noticed nose steering gear is useless could not ROG

2nd flight -- Removed gears, servo and tube and had a buddy Hand launch. It flew beautifully nice Rolls and loops, Snappy turns.

Next flight I am planning on trying a 10 cell 800 mah Nicad battery.

Also I have 2 extra F-86 Ducted Fans laying around that I would like to mod into some new Nacelles. These motors put out almost twice the thrust as the GWS.

Any thoughts?

A10FLYR

My Feedback: (1)

Sorry, can't help you there. never seen dos fans

ccchris

I was really looking forward to getting an A-10 but from what I've read not so sure. Anyone with really good experiences? From the vidoes A-10 looks so awesome int the air I do not know if I can resist the purchase.
CHris

Newmanator

Oh, prolly should have given a little more info... These came out of a Wattage F-86 with the 400 Ducts and 6 bladed fans. The motors are hopped up 380 size. I have a feeling it would work, the plane would be a heck of a lot heavier do to the Batteries but I think that would counter the heavier motors and the thrust produced would be double what the edf-55 put out.

pete777

I have just flown my GWS A10 EDF 55 with a 8 cell 800 mah Nimh Pack .The plane was hand launched and flew on rails ," it really did ! " lots of low passes were the order of the day .
I took the advice on previouse posts and set the C og G to 57mm , no extra weight was added I simply removed some foam and moved the battery forward .The all up weight is 590g .
My only moan is the 6 minute flight time " I need one of these Li-Poly batteries that everyone is talking about , but which one ???"

skyhawknut

My Feedback: (3)

Congradulations - these are great arn't they.

I have one with the 50's (flys very well) and I'm getting one with the 55's and want to know what size cells did you use? (AA, AAA, 2/3 A, sub C) And what brand?

A10FLYR

My Feedback: (1)

And the wing loading would go up as well I don't know what the answer is but here in mile high part of Colorado we have to be careful with wing loading. The extra weight takes away all the gain from bigger motors and more batteries.

antomo

Hi,
I'm Antonis from Greece.
A10 was my first ducted fan, and i say was because i crash it on a tall tree.
The plane was with the 55 fan's.
First try with 2 Lithium cells (crash in 5 meters)
Second try again 2 cells but more ballast in the noise (one difficult cycle and landing)
Last one after repairs took place with 5min epoxy and with 8 cell NC 500ma. (was fantastic - power- stable- nice looking on air)
Big runs to adjust the trims and low passes till a tree kill my plane.
I order a new one [>:]and i would like to know what batteries to use.
Plase advice.

pete777

Thanks !
I used an 8 Cell AAA pack 800 Nimh . I am tempted to UP' the cell count to 9 or even 10 cells ?? what do you think ? Has anybody out there tried this combination ?

skyhawknut

My Feedback: (3)

You must have the 150 motors if you used a AAA pack. Right?

antomo

EDF 55 exists in two versions (150 and 300)
with the 150 (280 motor) i perform a test with 8 cells NiMh AAA 700ma.
It was no good!! Static test, and the pack was too hot after a minute.
Three 4 minutes test runs destroyed my pack.
I assume NC are more powerful.

pete777

* correct , my A10 has the 150 motors and I am using the GWS ICS 300 Speed controller 15A Max / 8A constant ...

Woody 51

Someone reported trying 9.6V cells some time back in another A-10 discussion thread.

They were using the old EDF50 units and the motors burnt out real quick with the extra cell.

I'm not sure if GWS have upped the motor size in the new EDF55's, but if they haven't, you will most likely be pushing your luck. The move up in M/AH size is a good one though.

Can anyone advise the difference between the motors in the EDF50 and EDF55 units?

skyhawknut

My Feedback: (3)

They are completely different.

8 he 1100, Kan 950 or Kan 1050 will work beautifly. You could go to 9 if you really wanted (With the edf 55 not the 50's)

Woody 51

What about the fan unit dimensions. Can the EDF 55s be retrofitted into one of the older EDF50 supplied models nacelles, or has there been a nacelle redesign?

(In other words, do I have to go buy an complete new kit to get an EDF55 powered model?)

dbl8ts

No you do not. GWS has kits to upgrade the 50 version - EDF55-150 and EDF55-300H. They also made nacelles ($25) for these motors that can be ordered separately, as well as fuselages ($45). In all, by the time you buy the nacelles ($25-40) and motors ($30 ea.), you would do better buying the appropriate kit at $82. However, some modelers have reported modifying the 50 nacelles to fit the 55 fans.

Originally, I purchased the 50 version, but before I did anything to the kit, I read the instructions which led me to this site. After reading all the negatives, I contacted GWS directly and was encouraged to get the 150 version. I returned the 50 kit and I am now trying to decide whether to buy the 150 or the 300. Whichever I decide on, I will order it tomorrow.

[8D]
dbl8s

Woody 51

Thanks.

I have found a LHS that will supply the EDF 55/300 upgrade kit (including nacelles) for US$67 plus postage.

I have ordered one of these upgrade kits, but not sure what size battery packs to use with the EDF55/300's.

Also, any upgrade needed in the ESC dept? Currently I am using the EDF50's with a GWS ICS 300 ESC and 7 cell 700 m/ah NiMH packs.

Any thoughts or opinions?

Woody 51

I found the info I needed. This may assist a few others as well.

GWS advise the maximum number of volts their EDF55's can safely handle is 9.6V.

So max number of cells will be 8. Anything above that the motors will burn out quickly!!!

Max current draw of the EDF55/300's on 9.6 Volts is 6.1 amps, so their 300 ESC is fine. The EDF55/150 has a max draw of 5.9 amps.

For the info of anyone contemplating which EDF 55 set to use.

The EDF 55/150 has a max thrust of 4.97 oz's or 141 gram using a 9.6 Volt pack.

The EDF 55/300 has a max thrust of 5.57 oz's or 158 grams using a 9.6 Volt pack.

This is a lot more that the old EDF 50's put out, whether they had the 3 or 5 bladed rotor. (Around the 3.8 to 3.9 ozs thrust.)

Make your own choice as to which of the 2 alternatives suits you. I'm going for the EDF55/300.

A10FLYR

My Feedback: (1)

Hey Woody,

I've about 7 flights now using a 3S2P pack with 300/55s. Makes for a heavier airframe but flies a little better. Will let you know when the 300s burn out!

Woody 51

Interesting comment about the weight.

ALFA MODELS, in the instructions for their TA183 EDF, advise that their model has an optimum flying weight and if the assembler makes the model LIGHTER than the optimum weight, then it will lack flying authority and be extremely control sensetive.

Maybe some of us with the GWS A-10s, in trying to achieve a good flier, have been guilty of doing the same thing with this model?

skyhawknut

My Feedback: (3)

Don't forget - that 6.1 amps is per motor! You'll be pulling 12 amps. I would think about upgrading the esc as 8 amps is the continuous rating and 15 burst. Mind you GWS esc's are under-rated.

dbl8ts

Hey A-10Flyer:

How about expanding your comments a bit more? [8D] I have been waiting to hear how your flights went with the new EDF55-300. I'm new to electric, so I do not know much about escs and the li-poly batteries. I know from your description that you have 3 wired in series, but what is the mah rating and voltage? I want to use li-polies, but there is not a comprehensive book I am aware of that assists those of us new to electrics with this information.

You appear to be well informed! Ever thought about writing that kind of book? If you or anyone else should decide to, don't use "For Dummies" [:@] anywhere in the book. We are not dumb; we are just new to the sport and trying to bring others into our hobby. We can read and understand plain language about a new and ever expanding new power source for our models.

I appreciate your posts, as well as those of others who have gone before me with the A-10. I ordered the 300H version which I should receive no later than Tuesday the 13th. Hope to hear from you before then.

dbl8ts