Converting from glow to electric
07-15-2025 | 07:52 PM
#1
Converting from glow to electric
I purchased this old pattern airplane at an auction. I posted pictures of it before and received eight different names for it from eight different people so not sure what it really is. It has a YS 91FS for power minus the needle and muffler.
I went on line and searched for an electric set up that would power the same as the YS 91FS approximately. I have estimated that the finished weight will be approximately 8.7 lbs with battery. Going with the suggested 200 W per pound I am looking at 1800 W. I am planning on a 6S 5000MAH battery. One power system suggested was a Tempest 4130 -540KV motor, Tempest 100A speed control, and an APC 14x8.5 E series prop. This would supply me with 1836W of power.
Another suggestion was a Bad Ass BA4530 -550 KV motor , Bad Ass Renagade V2 125A ESC, and a Bad Ass 15x7 wood electric prop. This would supply me with 2170W of power.
Then I went on line and watched a you tube video of a person showing how to figure out what would be needed. Using the 9 lbs times 200 W per pound for a total of 1800W I came up with 81A. With some overhead I came up with a 6S 100A ESC. It also worked out to needing a 35C battery. This airplane has a 66” wingspan and using his formula it came up with wanting 12,183 RPM and a KV rating of 548.7 which will round up to 550 KV. Following the rest of his formula’s it works out to a 11.24 diameter prop with a 7” pitch. So rounding this off I would end up with a 11x7 prop which seems slightly small.
I tried looking up some motors today but didn’t find any information on how many Amps the motors were rated at or much other information.
I don’t know anything about Tempest or Bad Ass equipment or any other suppliers as far as how good and dependable they are. I mistakenly assumed that I could look up a 4530-540KV motor and find multiple brands of that motor. I was wrong.
As you can tell this is the first time I have tried to convert a glow powered to electric power and I find that it is really confusing.
My question is are Tempest or Bad Ass good equipment? What other brands are good and dependable? I have heard that Hacker is a good line but their website was totally confusing and I didn’t see any prices listed. Any suggestions on what to buy would be appreciated.
Thanks Steve
I went on line and searched for an electric set up that would power the same as the YS 91FS approximately. I have estimated that the finished weight will be approximately 8.7 lbs with battery. Going with the suggested 200 W per pound I am looking at 1800 W. I am planning on a 6S 5000MAH battery. One power system suggested was a Tempest 4130 -540KV motor, Tempest 100A speed control, and an APC 14x8.5 E series prop. This would supply me with 1836W of power.
Another suggestion was a Bad Ass BA4530 -550 KV motor , Bad Ass Renagade V2 125A ESC, and a Bad Ass 15x7 wood electric prop. This would supply me with 2170W of power.
Then I went on line and watched a you tube video of a person showing how to figure out what would be needed. Using the 9 lbs times 200 W per pound for a total of 1800W I came up with 81A. With some overhead I came up with a 6S 100A ESC. It also worked out to needing a 35C battery. This airplane has a 66” wingspan and using his formula it came up with wanting 12,183 RPM and a KV rating of 548.7 which will round up to 550 KV. Following the rest of his formula’s it works out to a 11.24 diameter prop with a 7” pitch. So rounding this off I would end up with a 11x7 prop which seems slightly small.
I tried looking up some motors today but didn’t find any information on how many Amps the motors were rated at or much other information.
I don’t know anything about Tempest or Bad Ass equipment or any other suppliers as far as how good and dependable they are. I mistakenly assumed that I could look up a 4530-540KV motor and find multiple brands of that motor. I was wrong.
As you can tell this is the first time I have tried to convert a glow powered to electric power and I find that it is really confusing.
My question is are Tempest or Bad Ass good equipment? What other brands are good and dependable? I have heard that Hacker is a good line but their website was totally confusing and I didn’t see any prices listed. Any suggestions on what to buy would be appreciated.
Thanks Steve
07-18-2025 | 10:36 AM
#2
ecalc.com has a very good prop calculator which lets you try various combinations. You can get a 1 month membership for $6 for prop calc and set up finder. Enter the models parameters and your desired flight performance.It has a very good CG calculator too.
I've used it for years and have found it quite accurate.
I've used it for years and have found it quite accurate.
