Greg Covey

The Phoenix HV 45 is suppose to be rated at 2250 watts (3 h.p.) and 45amps continuous. I doubt that my 1200 power system stressed it so I feel that it is the same quality control issue we have been hearing about for over a year now.

Greg Covey

We managed to snap a few photos before the ESC quit. The take-off looked beautiful!

Greg Covey

When testing my Ultimate 40S just before I was about to tear it apart again, it appears that everything still works fine. Although I am a bit puzzled about what happened during the test flight, I now feel that it must be some shutdown function of the Phoenix HV ESC. The pilot (Devin McGrath) properly tried to re-arm the ESC in flight and we also did it again on the ground without success. This was after a complete re-power up sequence as well.

My BalancePro HD DPM wasn't sounding the audible alarm after the crash but I will still disable it for the next flight test. I will also remeasure the current to see if perhaps the ESC hit an overcurrent shutdown. According to the Phoenix HV 45 instructions, either an overcurrent or undervoltage condition will cause a "soft" motor shutdown. I didn't see any mention of a re-arming procedure.

Greg Covey

The problem was an over-current shutdown in the CC Phoenix HV 45 ESC. I was drawing about 90amps full throttle which was fine with my old setup on the Great Planes Lil Toni when using the Jeti 77-amp ESC. The Phoenix HV 45 didn't like it.

I reduced the prop size by an inch to an APC 13x6.5 so it now draws near 70amps at full throttle for about 1500 watts. On a 5lb plane, that's about 300w/lb! The ESC is rated for 2250 watts so it should be ok on my 6s Lithium voltage.

I also reprogrammed the ESC to disable current shutdown and low voltage shutdown as I'll use the DPM to do that. I have good air cooling on the ESC and will never need full power for more than a burst period so we'll see what happens. I see that Castle Creations has a "Castle Link" USB device for easier programming than the programming mode question method I used with my transmitter to set up the ESC.

Greg Covey

After some further testing, I realized that my Kontronik 600 motor was faulty.

Yesterday, when I was reducing the prop size, inch by inch, the current measurement didn't seem to decrease as I was expecting. Also, after I re-programmed the CC Phoenix HV45 for no current shutdown and no voltage shutdown, I was surprised when the motor still shutdown at 3/4 throttle. Finally, after replacing the HV45 ESC with a Jeti 77-amp Opto ESC and the motor still shut down around 60amps (Jeti has no shutdown mode), I realized that the high current draw with an 11x7 prop and the shutdowns were symptoms of a bad motor.

I replaced the Kontronik 600 geared motor with an AXI 4120/16 direct drive outrunner motor. Since I was stuck using a 6s Lithium pack, I decided that the 4120/16 will spin the smaller APC 11x7 prop nice and fast for the Ultimate. I measured 53amps at 1100 watts using my 6-cell BalanceProHD Kokam 3200mAh pack which can deliver 64amps continuous so nothing is getting stressed. My new power level is 1100w/5.5lbs = 200w/lb.

Greg Covey

Finally, a successful maiden with the AXI 4120 motor. The Ultimate flew great and I hope to get a video today at a local electric event in the Finger Lakes of NY.

wollins

Congratulations! So what are your final stats? AUW, power etc?

Colin.

P.S. Can't wait to see the video!

Greg Covey

My new power level is 1100w/5.5lbs (or 200w/lb) using the AXI 4120/16 with a 6s Lithium pack. I can't remember what the weight was so I'll have to scan the previous posts.

We got some video yesterday showing the Ultimate in some pretty brisk 10-15mph wind. I'll post it later this week. It had plenty of power and didn't really affect the flight. The combination smaller prop on a 6s Lithium pack really makes it nice and fast!

In the end, I feel that I am better off with a maintenance-free direct drive brushless motor.

photos by "Papa" Jeff Ring

Greg Covey

Although the stock foam wheels worked ok on my first flights, they seemed a bit small and soft for the job. After sitting in my trailer for days, the foam would retain a flat spot that made for an uneven roll.

I decided to replace the stock wheels with bigger 2-1/2" Dubro Treaded Lightweight Wheels (250TL). The 5/32" (4mm) axle diameter was perfect for the stock hardware and I only needed to round the outer ends of the pant opening. The firmer rubber wheel should provide for better ground handling.

Greg Covey

Although it was rather windy, my Ultimate 40S still tore up the sky!

[link=http://www.gregcovey.com/reviews/Ultimate40Selectric.wmv]Ultimate 40S Video[/link] (7meg)

ForeverHero

My Feedback: (1)

Nice video... looks like it flies very well with that setup. So how much flight time do you get with those batteries? I was looking at that kit for my third or fourth glow plane and from the looks of things it is very agile.

Thanks,

Mark

wollins

Nice going Greg! At last ... the project is COMPLETE. Mine is still awaiting a SECOND re maiden. After I had gotten my new batteries and did my remaiden, the same thing happened ... motor shut down after about 10 seconds. Luckily I was over some high grass at the side of our field and was able to make an uneventfull crash landing.

I subsequently discovered that it wasn't my batteries afterall but rather a faulty ESC. [:@] Anyway, I just got my replacement ESC about 10 mins ago so I'll probably be RE maidening mine tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

Colin.

Greg Covey

Good luck, Colin!

wollins

Well ... I got in my maiden last week and then some! Plane flew beautifully and FAST! This and I'm only running it at about 650 watts (still breaking in my batts) at about 5lbs 3 ozs auw. I intend to end up running it at 750 watts when my packs are broken in.

The only minus I see is the slow roll rate due to those really small strip ailerons. I think one of the big chracteristics of a "muscle bipe" is a blinding roll rate but otherwise its GREAT!

Colin.

P.S. BTW, Greg ... whatever happened to the Seawind amphibian conversion that you were doing at some point? (I read about it in some thread or the other.)

Greg Covey

Colin,

I'm glad yo hear that you Ultimate flight went well. You will find that the roll rate will increase rapidly with just a little more throw. If you use a computer radio (like my Futaba 9C) this is as easy as increasing the end points. If your CG is too far forward, it will also dampen your roll rate.

The Great Planes Seawind project never materialized and they did not want to send me one of the first run blemished units. It is a great looking scale model that will be around for a long time...so you never know.