F-16
 

Hey guys -
I've searched for the best motor to fit my new Nitro Models F-16. It seems like an inrunner would work best but the deeper I get the more confused I get! I've asked for advice from my electric buddies since I'm a gas guy. The best answer so far is a E-Flite 32...not exactly what I had in mind.
Any ideas out there? The site is:

www.nitroplanes.com

Thanks,

Jim

RE: F-16
 

Inrunners typically ( but of course not always ) are used with geared systems.

Since the plane weights under 4lbs or around ( you may be increasing this due to the batteries), and simulates a jet, you would want at least a 160+ watts/lb ratio.

Either of these will work. Click on both...

[link=http://www.nitroplanes.com/mo466brmo.html]Monster Power 46[/link]
[link=http://www.nitroplanes.com/mo327brmo.html]Monster Power 32[/link]

Since as you move up, KV ratings drop, you would want to max out the voltage to get the most RPM's out of the motor, and then adjust the battery specs to keep up.

With the 32 you want to go with a four cell LiPo battery.... and you want decent run times.

The battery must be able to handle 42A continuous current, though you probably will not run it flat out all the time.

So adjusting for some overhead to help preserve the life of the battery, I'd be looking at putting in at least a 20C 3200mAh 4 cell battery or bigger total capacity.

You could get this using two 4 cell 20C 1600 or 1800 mah batteries hooked in parallel, or two 2 cell 3200mAh ( or greater ) LiPo batteries hooked in series.

You would also want a 60A ESC, and a seperate BEC... ( though I've seen a few 60A ESC's with built in 5A Becs !!! ).

Many 60A ESC's do not come with a built in Bec, or if they do, are unable to handle more than 3 servos at that voltage.

With the Monster 46 I would opt for a combination that give you the equivalent of a 5 Cell Lipo ( you could use one 2cell and one 3cell Lipo in series, but they must be of the same mAh rating ).

I would hook all this up and attach a watt meter to find the best prop combination.

You want to use an electric prop that develops sufficient thrust but has a good pitch.

Something in the 10x7e range or greater for both.

It will be important to put the watt meter on the system to make sure that you are not overdrawing, nor are insufficiently proping the plane. Specs alone do not provide good guides.

RE: F-16
 

Wow- That is the first specific answer I've gotten. Unfortunately, I had ordered the Eflite 32 prior to reading your reply. if I had ordered the Monster 32 I could have gotten the same performance for half the price! Ouch [:o]
I did however get the new Eflite 60 with BEC (2.5 amp) and for less than the Eflite 32 I can get the Monster 46. I just hit the "buy button"!
In my limited electric experience, I learned within a week to get a nice watt meter...well...that was after I smoked a ESC in my delta wing.

I have one other question on the F-16 if you can help. The instructions indicate you simply epoxy the horizontal stabs to the fuselage which in my experience would be fatal. They actually read to "blot the stab to the wing", which I think was supposed to mean "bolt the stab to the fuselage". There are four pins that I'm considering using for this that were included in the kit. Am I on the right track?

Thank you again for your expert help,

Jim

P.S. I sent an email to support today asking if the P-82 Mustang manual was available prior to my purchase. I wanted to see about retracts, etc. before I bought it.

RE: F-16
 

You should do well with that motor, especially if you can run it at 14V to get the higher RPM's.

Good the BEC on that ESC will handle the servos just fine.

I would BOTH epoxy and bolt if possible.

At the higher voltage and hopefully pitch speeds you should be pushing this plane a good bit.
Any extra strength you can add to things will result in a better airframe able to handle the stress.

If you do decide to go only with the bolts, consider not *****g out the throws on the elevator. Instead use the recommended throws as your "high rates".

As far as the instructions; I basically use the included directions as a rough guide. Typically if I come up with something different I go with it.

Remember to give the plane a good going over, re-inforce landing gear and make sure the wing attachments are strong, and the elevator firmly in place.

I often wick CA onto exposed stress points & joints to further harden the wood.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

RE: F-16
 

Thank you once again for your excellent and timely responses.

Actually I had decided to use the pins/bolts with epoxy. Then I'm adding a small size tri-stock on the underside with fiberglass cloth strip glassed over it. I do the same thing as far as wicking in epoxy on any plane I buy. Also I wouldn't think it would be necessary to have a lot of throw in the elevator on this type of bird. I'll know shortly! :D

I will leave you alone except to report on my maiden flight but before I do...do you have any access/knowledge of a manual for the P-82 Mustang?

Thanks,

Jim

RE: F-16
 

On the web site there are links to a few manuals for a handful of planes.

I think I recall seeing the manual for that Mustang on the site...

Once you find the link click on it, and navigate "up" one level and I BELIEVE the manual is there as a set of images.

RE: F-16
 

I'M USING RIME FIRE 35-36-1200 4CELL 3000MAH 20C MAXAMPS PACK WITH 9X9 PROP 44AMP DRAW JUST OVER 600 WATTS.PRETTY GOOD PERFORMACE WITH PLENTY OF GROUND CLEARANCE.

RE: F-16
 

the f-16 has pre drilled holes under fiberglass where stab goes,thats what 4 pins are for.