Jaketab

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It's been done 100 or more times but routing the plug wires, so they don't make contact with the Keleo exhaust ring seems to be a problem.
Does anyone have a picture or illustration of how it's done?
Thanks - J Tab

Txmustangflyer

Inside the ring, if its a concern, wrap the closest section of the lead with HVAC alu
aluminum tape, to reflect the heat away from the lead. Those spark plug leads are the same material as the plug wires on your car, alone they should resist heat pretty well, but a little insurance never hurts.

Jaketab

My Feedback: (2)

My Zero is almost ready to maiden. I had it fully assembled tonight and took measurements required for a manual calculation to determine the CG. If the plane (estimating) weights 32lbs (28lbs on the front mains and 4lbs on the tail wheel) the plane will require (1.82lbs or 826.4 grams) over the engine to balance at 145 mm CG.
In the next day or two I will weigh the plane on the Xicoy CG balancer and post the results.

Question - Is 826 grams the approximate amount of weight required to balance - with the Saito FG90R?

Regards - J Tab

CK1

My Feedback: (60)

Jake , mine took several pounds more than that ,but my weight was placed as far forward in the engine Box as possible , but not over the engine . I used a Vanessa rig to balance mine . It flies perfectly fine the weight needed to balance on the factory published CG .

Jaketab

My Feedback: (2)

According to the Xicoy CG Balancer, 2.68 lbs. is required around the engine to balance at the 145 mm mark. The CG as the plane sits now is at 170 mm. The plane is 30.75 lbs. before adding nose weight.

Jaketab

My Feedback: (2)

Added lead today bolted to the baffles and on bottom of motor box. Final weight / CG numbers are as follows:
Weight/CG before: 30.76lb / 169.3 mm
Weight / CG after: 32.61lb / 152.02 mm
Total weight added: 1.85lb.
Approximately 5.5 oz of lead is bolted to each of the 3 baffles. Hoping the weight does not stress the 1/8" aluminum angle brackets.

IFLYBVM2

My Feedback: (360)

Nice work, Jake..

Jaketab

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Some notes yesterday on the first 4 flights on my Top RC Zero with the FG90. The first flight was tail heavy but still very manageable. Landing this plane was easy by keeping a little throttle until the end. I added another 2 1/4 oz weight around the engine and the plane was much better for the remaining 3 flights. I estimate the total weight added is now just over 2 lbs. For straight and level flight the plane requires slight down elevator to be neutral.
On flight #3 the wind caught me down-wind and I had 2 aborted landings. The engine with the Biela 23 x 10 3-blade had good reserve to pull out and go around again.
In flight temperature. The engine is well baffled, but I have not opened the cowl flaps yet. It performed very well (no sagging) with the Biela 23 x 10 3-blade. When running extended full throttle, the temps would climb just above 250F on #1. Backing off the throttle would lower the temps to the 235 - 240F range. Hope some of you will post your in-flight temps for comparison.

Thanks - J Tab

Didier

Hello.
In my point of view 10” pitch is a little to small. I can understand you have to fly full power all the time. We have a couple of warbirds in this size at our club and we did some experiments with props. Best is to use a pitch of around 14”. I only go to full power when I want to fly a big loop with my Zero/FG90. 90% of the time is partial power. Great speed, great sound at part power and the engine runs happy.
My prop is a Ramoser 22,7” 3 blade with a pitch adjusted around 14~15”. Temps are around 230-240.

Txmustangflyer

To add on. You might best be served going ahead and ordering a varioprop from ramoser. On a gas engine in maxes at 6400 rpm. So, you would tune pitch to maintain that at WOT in flight.

Might be surprised how much pitch you actually end up running.


this beast is a performance unlimimited products modified G62 rated at 7.2 hp at 8000 rpm. The prop is a 4 blade 23.6 inch varioprop. Estimates have me starting prop tuning at 14 inches of pitch. The nice thing...I just had to buy one prop.

flycatch

My Feedback: (26)

The presentation of both low and high speed flight was a masterpiece. You placed yourself ahead of the plane and each maneuver was executed within the box. It is always a pleasure to watch when the air frame and pilot become intertwined.

Jaketab

My Feedback: (2)

Opening cowl flaps. I slit the flaps along the horizontal seams, but they do not bend outward due to the radius. In order to open the flaps, it appears they need to be cut out completely and reinstalled ?
What method are others using to open up the cowl flaps on the TRC Zero ?

Thanks and regards - J Tab

flycatch

My Feedback: (26)

operational cowl flaps made easy

Jaketab

My Feedback: (2)

Good find - Thanks

Didier

Thanks for the compliment. The Zero is enjoyable to fly.

Craig B.

This is what I did on mine. I can bend the Ali to open them or close the, up if I want. Don’t need to bother with in flight adjustment on this model… too small to fit the servos in to do this.

Jaketab

My Feedback: (2)

Quote:

This is what I did on mine. I can bend the Ali to open them or close the, up if I want. Don’t need to bother with in flight adjustment on this model… too small to fit the servos in to do this.

Excellent solution, thanks.
What method did you use to make the nice clean straight cuts?

Craig B.

Hi Jake, I just used a fine diamond cut off wheel in a dremel and a steady hand.

Jaketab

My Feedback: (2)

Just to report what a difference a change in props makes on my 33# TRC Zero with the Saito FG90R3. I was using the Biela Corsair style 23 x 10 x 3. Performance was not so good, and the temps climbed above 250 F when going to full throttle. Switched to a Xoar 24 x 12 x 2. Temps stay under 235 F, and the performance difference is remarkable. One other prop I would like to try is a Biela 22 x 12 x 3, but I don't believe any scale 3 blade is going to outperform a 2-blade prop.

Regards - J Tab

jimkron

In general, 2-blade props outperform 3 bladed.
Still, I fly my Zero with a Biela 22x12x3 bladed and have plenty of power with the Saito FG 90R3.
I like the scale look.

Jaketab

My Feedback: (2)

I can't disagree with that said.
J Tab

bradley

My Feedback: (-1)

One bladed props are the most efficient (yes there is such a thing).
Every extra blade added decreases the overall prop efficiency. More blades were added to absorb more horsepower that the newer engines were making, or to improve ground clearance. Fascinating the science of propellers.
2 blades win for high efficiency and simple construction. 3 and 4 blade RC props are just cool however.
Brad

darod07

My Zero still flying....Some pictures from Bobrowniki RC Warbirds 2022 event:

bradley

My Feedback: (-1)

Nice!

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

Very nice!