Possible Conversion
 

Would this plane make a good canidit for a conversion to Electric?

http://www.wingspro.com/ContentPage.asp?ContentID=74

Jason

RE: Possible Conversion
 

Sure would make a ideal candidate.Jason if you look at the pic's below in the add you will see a Mega motor pictured.So one will asume they flew it on e-power.Good hunting,stefanP

RE: Possible Conversion
 

This would be an excellent conversion, I agree great find. I would use am AXI 2814-10 or a 2820.
I think this plane may be in my future!!

RE: Possible Conversion
 

Since I'm new to the electric plane area, I'm going to get help from my local hobby shop. I'm thinking of using a 2826\10.
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/brushless-axi2826.htm

I know my wife is getting me the plane for my birrthday (its right after xmas). I'll have to work on getting the rest of the stuff I need. Its winter here, so I've got a few months to get all my stuff together. When I get done, I just want an easy flying plane, something that I can put around with.

Jaso

RE: Possible Conversion
 

The correct answer is: Sure! Any plane can be converted, it just depends on how you want the plane to perform, and how much you want to spend.

This looks like a nice, light trainer design. Should go like stink on 300 Watts, if you go brushless. That's 10 NiCds or 3S LiPoly at 30 Amps. Any of the motors listed should be able to handle this to some degree. Best match is the AXi 2820/10. The 2826/10 will work too, but it's really overkill for the application; you're spending more money and carrying around extra weight. It can handle a whole lot more than 300 Watts. If you've got other .40-size conversions in mind, and never plan on flying more than one of them at a time, then okay, but if this motor is going to find itself a permanent home in this plane, I'd recommend getting the exact right motor for the job.

RE: Possible Conversion
 

Matt,

I've been crunching some numbers (don't shoot me if I'm wrong, since I'm new to this).

Dry weight: 28oz ......... [link=http://www.wingspro.com/ContentPage.asp?ContentID=74]http://www.wingspro.com/ContentPage.asp?ContentID=74[/link]
Sanyo 2400 NiCad, 12 cells 1lb 10.8oz (27oz) ...... [link=http://www.rc-dymond.com/order_batteries_lst.htm]http://www.rc-dymond.com/order_batteries_lst.htm[/link]
axi 2820/10 w/ speed contral and mount aprox. 10 oz [link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/brushless-axi2820.htm]http://www.hobby-lobby.com/brushless-axi2820.htm[/link]


total wt approx. = 65oz
wing load approx = 649 sq in = 4.5 sq ft = 64oz/4.5 = 14.22oz/ sq/ft (pretty lite actually)

According to
Watts per Pound rule found here [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=399]http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=399[/link]

I would have about 14.4v x 30amps = 432 watts
432/64oz(4lbs) = 108 W/lb.

So this setup would be a bit of an over kill. What type of prop would I use?

Sorry if it appears that I'm rambling on. I'm just trying to figure most of this out on paper before I commit.

Jason

RE: Possible Conversion
 

Hey, that's a pretty good analysis. A couple of pointers, though:
1. Pick the motor AFTER you figure out the battery. If you look at the specification of the 2820/10, you'll see that 12 cells is too much voltage: www.modelmotors.cz. If you've settled on 12 cells, you need the 2820/12.

2. Go with 1 Volt per NiCd/NiMH cell for your Watts calculations. It's a little conservative, but more realistic than 1.2 Volts per cell, especially under heavy loads. It's also a whole lot easier to calculate.

The application charts at www.modelmotors.cz will give you ideas on what props cause what current draws on the AXi motors. You can also interpolate how unlisted props will perform.

RE: Possible Conversion
 

Matt,

Thanks for you feed back. After my previous post, i did some more researching with a program call MotoCalc. It looks like 10 cells should be plenty. The thing I wasn't sure was the recommend prop, 14x9? Does that seem right. According to the program I'd be pulling right around 30 amps?

Once again I'm not sure if I'm running all of the numbers correctly. I think the next thing to do is get the motor, speed contral and battery pack. The owner of our LHS has been into electrics along time and offered to help me figure out the correct setup.

Jason

RE: Possible Conversion
 

Just an update. It looks like the planes have finally arrived from Italy. Mine was shipped out yesterday, so I expect it to get here Monday. Waiting for the plane is a new Axi 2826 12 motor and a 35 amp speed control. Still need to purchase the batteries and servos. I've been holding off till I knew for sure that the plane was going to make it to my door step.

Hopefully it was worth the wait.

Jason

RE: Possible Conversion
 

UPS deliver my plan last night. I'm not sure what to think of it yet. It's very light. Now I have to decide how to mount everything. I'll post some pictures tonight.