Mike Parsons

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4183813/tm.htm

Greg Covey

Wow, I must be working too hard because I missed quite a few posts. Mike, thanks for the reponses and split. I agree with your assessment on the Warbird. Using watts/lb is a great tool!

In addition to four other reviews, I managed to wire up my Series Adapter Modules after splitting a single [link=http://www.fmadirect.com/Detail.htm?item=1971&section=38]Series Connector Module[/link] into several double sections with a Dremel tool. These adapters are used to wire my 6s and 4s packs into a single 10s pack.

Both motors were tested individually and then together. Note that the LED/Speaker modules from the DPMs are placed near the big opening in the cowl (when it is attached). My initial flight test will have the DPMs disconnected from the throttle channel (like the heli guys use it) so that only an audible alarm will sound if the packs have a problem with discharge current or duration. The DPM control lines will then be attached in series with the ESCs and throttle channel after the first few flights.

It's time to put the prop on and take a current measurement.

lazyboyflyer

When are you going to maiden the new power set-up????????????????????????

dorado

Yeah Greg

I have read your prior two projects...very interesting; waiting to see the dual results.

Hey Lazyboy...good to meet you the other day with BF330

Dorado

Greg Covey

I returned from my business trip to FMA yesterday so I am now free of traveling duties until May 19th. The tentative test flight is scheduled for May 6th as I have other reviews pending to test fly this weekend.

I did manage to test the power system with the prop installed and it was scary powerful! My intent was to measure the current so I left the cowl off for access to the ESC for my wattmeter. I never went above 1/2 throttle, which was set to logarithmic curve, because the power felt so strong I was afraid that the anchor would pull out or break. With the throttle curve set to logarithmic, I know that from 1/2 throttle setting to full throttle will be a sizable increase in power. Perhaps when I have a group of people at the field, I will revisit the current measurement since it is easy to remove the spinner, prop, and cowl.

The inside of the fuselage shows my 4 BalancePro HD DPMs set on an angle bracket for easy connection/disconnection of the 4 batteries. The receiver and servos are powered by a separate 2-cell Kokam 3200mAh pack feeding the FMA Power Force Regulator.

I even had 10lb weights on the anchor but it looked like it was moving. The grass was bent straight back behind the plane. The prop and spinner appeared perfectly balanced as there was little vibration. I'm ready to test fly!

algutkin

My Feedback: (1)

Scary powerfull. WOW

Go Greg go.

Greg Covey

We tested the Dual AXI powered Edge 540 yesterday, and, although it flew well, the Mejzlik 26" prop was not big enough to bring the real power of this system out. I measured about 63amps per motor and about 4500 watts total. While this is more power than my previous single AXI 5330 system, it was not sufficient for 3D. Since I am not taxing any part of my setup, we decided that my next change will be to try a Mejzlik 28" prop and perhaps the third party gear mains to raise the ground clearance.

On the video, you can hear the impressive amount of air moved by the 26" prop.

[link=http://www.gregcovey.com/reviews/Edge540part3a.wmv]Edge 540 Mejzlik 26" Prop video[/link] (12meg)

Pictures coming soon...

Greg Covey

Some photos from the test flying...

photos by Papa Jeff Ring

algutkin

My Feedback: (1)

Greg,

It's nice, the video came out great. Looking forward to following your project further into the 3D performace mode. Your efforts are appreciated and valued. Most people just take it for granted, but, much effort and sacrafice goes into a project like the one you have undertaken and the result always benefits lots of other people. Thanks

PS. please try to smile in your videos, your weather seems to be much better than the weather in Southern California. A few more video advertisements from Rochester and millions of people will be migrating to upper state New York from California, to the place with the good weather and green grass.

Al Gutkin

Mike Parsons

Congratulations Greg! Looks beautiful

Greg Covey

Thanks, Mike. I'm almost there. The 26" prop size was a recommendation from Model Motors and it proved to be too conservative for 3D power levels. The AXI motors were not even warm after the video flight so I am confident that I can achieve my 6000-7000 watt target.

I made a 3/4" extension to my gear mains out of a solid piece of oak finishing wood. This will mostly negate the added 1" from the new 28x10 Mejzlik carbon prop. I then cut the front section off the cover plate now that the gear mains are flush with the fuselage bottom.

Greg Covey

Success!

The new Mejzlik 28x10 prop proved to be a winner by providing my Edge 540 with 3D power. The current measured 83amps on both motors and the plane can now hover and has unlimited vertical. Since the current is only 83amps static, I essentially have unlimited full throttle capability...which will never be needed.

I will likely wait until Devin McGrath returns from the XFC competition in Ohio to make a 3D video. Devin, with only three days of practice on a borrowed plane, made the first round cut yesterday and will fly in the second round today. The finals are on Sunday.

Here are the numbers:

36v (10s voltage under load) x 83amps (measured) = 2988 watts (confirmed by wattmeter)

3000w x 2 motors = 6000w = 8h.p.

torqeroll

My Feedback: (13)

hey greg, whats the exact flying weight???

Greg Covey

I still need to weigh it again but my best estimate when adding up the weight changes from the single AXI to the double AXI power system has the all-up weight at 22.5lbs. If I replace my rather heavy 2p 2100mAh cells with our new 1p 5000mAh cells, I can drop almost 2lbs which will allow me to add a smoke system. The additional 3/4" extension to the gear mains really helped the ground clearance using the 28x10 Mejzlik prop.

photos by "Papa" Jeff Ring

Greg Covey

The Edge 540 got a double workout this weekend from both Team Futaba's, Dan Landis, and Team JR's, Devin McGrath. They both liked the power and offered several suggestions for some fine tuning.

I'll be increasing my aileron throw via the mechanical linkages and adding a second Power Force regulator just for the rudder servos. Dan and his father, Richard Landis, suggested this technique as an easier improvement over adding a third servo to eliminate the tiny blowback suspected on certain high alpha maneuvers. Devin also liked the sound of having more servo power for his 3D routine which will be seen at the upcoming NEAT Fair in September.

photos by "Papa" Jeff Ring

Greg Covey

The dual 10-amp Power Force regulators are installed. The regulators are positive controlled and they will work fine with common ground. Since they are push type only, they can also be paralleled on the positive side too. I am using the second regulator on a tip from Dan Landis as an easy solution to eliminate blowback on my two rudder servos. If this doesn't fix it, the older JR 8611s will get swapped out for newer 8611a servos that have a higher torque.

I also doubled the aileron throw so we'll try to get a 3d video at this weekend's show with Devin McGrath flying the Edge 540.

Greg Covey

I re-tapped the stock 4-40 holes in the Edge 540 canopy for 6-32 so I can use the nylon thumbscrews from Home Depot. No more tools needed at the flight line!

The 3D video was not taken yet although we have flown the Edge 540 at several shows now. We hope to get some video soon on a private field day when things are less hectic. Everything has been working great so far! I scheduled a noontime demo at the upcoming NEAT Fair in September.

Greg Covey

We video taped Team JR's Devin McGrath practicing on the Edge 540 for his demo at the upcoming NEAT Fair. Now that we have a Mejzlik 28" prop and increased aileron gain, the power level and roll rate look good. Devin wants more elevator throw as he had difficulty holding the hover in wind. I'll do this very soon and we'll try it again.

I also calculated that if I switch Lithium packs from my old 20C 2p 2100mAh cells to the new 20C 1p 5000mAh cells that I can increase duration by 20% and drop 21oz 1-1/4lb in weight. This will likely happen over the winter months for next season.

[link=http://www.gregcovey.com/reviews/Edge540part3b.wmv]Edge 540 Mejzlik 28" Prop video[/link] (9meg)


photos by "Papa Jeff" Ring

P-51B

My Feedback: (5)

Looks like it has plenty of power now!