Hi all, I'm Darrell. I'm new to the boards, so just want to say hello, and ask a question. Forgive me if this isn't the correct forum, but it really is an engine question I'm most concerned with.

I recently came across what I think is a great deal.

It is a Soucy Extra with a Fuji 50EI. I bought it for $650 and it only looks like it has a couple of flights on it.

I've spent some time checking out the boards for problems with the engine, and really haven't heard anything abnormal other than being a little down on power, but I'm not looking for 3D anyway. But I do want reliability. I noticed that the Fuji 32,34's got some negative posts due to RFI, but I haven't really seen that much with the 50. I know about the CH and Chinese ignitions, so if it starts freaking out on me I'll check them out. I'm going to do the range check today.

It looks like the guy did his homework and built it really nice. (re-glued the horizontal inside the hatch etc.) I'm concerned that the weight is 17 lb.8oz.....that's a bummer...but like I said, no 3D. I also have to add that I haven't calibrated my scale (Walmart fishing scale that I learned about on these boards!). I just bought it last night, and will verifiy it at work. Fortunatley, I have that capability.

It has all digital servos on the flight controls, Futaba S9151 servo on the rudder, Hitec 6965HBs on the elevator, and Futaba 9451's on the ailerons Futaba 3004 on the throttle and kill switch (both mounted aprox 12" away from the engine in the usual mounting place.

I just wanted to know what you guys think as far as the reliability of these servos with this engine.
I can't wait to get this beauty in the air. It's been way too long since I had an Extra.

Thanks in advance, and I'm glad to be here.
Darrell

I think you did well, it's not top shelf, but only about 10% of the guys could tell if you had $100 servos or $30 servos. The motor will work well, again for the weight you could've got a more powerful engine, but not at this price. Fly it you'll love it.

The price is probably "right". The weight is obscene for that airframe; you will have to be very careful of slowing it up too much, lest it snap. Local guy has the Soucy, around 15, flies fine, but heavy loading on the wing.

The biggest issue you have is using the 69xxHB servos on elevators!!!!!!!! THOSE MUST BE REPLACED!!!!!!!!! The Karbonite gears, per Hitec, and per experience in the gasser forums, will NOT last because of weight, and vibration. Sorry to tell you that, but it is an absolute certainty that they will strip and fail.

The rest of the package is okay, IMO. I had the Fuji 50EI for awhile. Heavy, but worked fine. Low on power compared to others, but probably not a big deal.

The big deal you have is the elevator servos. Sorry to be so blunt about it, but I want to help you keep your plane flying.

The way i look at it you bought the engine and a few servos,the rest was for free.If i where there i would have jumped on it.

Don't shoot me, this is just my opinion,, That airframe is way too heavy, my calculation shows it at 38.4 ounces/square foot. An airframe that size should be around 27 ounces/ square foot. I believe it will fly like a brick and in the long run you will hate it. It will snap easily and stall easily. If it was me (which it is not) I would try and resell it if you can find anyone who wants a flying brick or part it out and sell. Then buy a modern airframe with a lightweight engine, you will be happy you did. Just my $.02 worth, as I said earlier it is just my opinion.

But he'll get real good at snap spin recovery I still get the jitters from my first gasser., 50cc AW Katana, since I didn't know better I liked it. Evan got another one after the first spun in. Started getting a clue when the second one spun in.

If you like the airframe, you could lighten it up by installing a lighter glo engine such as a OS 160 and move components around for balance. Or ... if you are looking to fly a gasser, you could sell the airframe and move up to something more suited to the heavier Fuji. As others have said, flying a high wing loading plane is no fun.

Thanks Bob and the rest of you guys. I'm aware of what it will fly like, I've flown "bricks" before, and you're right. It's a drag. But doable if you are aware and have the runway. I just can't figure why it's heavy. It doesn't have any added weight other than the Fuji. And I think I've seen posts of people who have had that engine in that airframe and said it only weighed 15 or so. Maybe I'm wrong, it was a long day when I read those 38 pages of posts on the Extra.I verified the calibration on the fishscale and it was very near perfect.

I'll definitely be changing servos. I was planning to already.

My real big problem is the RFI coming from the Fuji. Which replacement ignition would you guys recommend....NOT trying to start a "Product War" just not sure which system will fit the Fuji. Do they all have similar timing curves to the Fuji?
Thanks again,
Darrell

Call Terry at CH and he'll help you select the right ignition. Or if you know Ralph Cunningham ask him. They sell the same ignitions. You can get two RCXL's for the price of 1 CH or close. The CH is repairable though and warranteed for a year. The RCXL is a throwaway design.

Make sure you have your cap all the way on, it'll run with it partially on, but it will throw RFI.

Concerning the RFI. I'm getting 23 paces max. The plane is sitting between my Tacoma and my house and a bunch of "metal junk" and I'm going up over a slight hill, but I think I should be getting better than that. Definitely won't fly it like that.
I called my LHS and a friend of the guy that sold it was there and saw it fly both of it's two total flights, and said it did well. (The LHS sold it to him a year ago.)
I don't know if the proximity to the truck and house are causing problems, I'll be wringing it out on Wednesday. I might have other issues because my Voltwatch is lighting up like a light show. Maybe bad terminal connections. (Year with out use)

He had the sensor wire zip tied to the plug wire. I fixed that. I'm looking for shield for the plug, and I'm thinking of getting some fine lightweight screen mesh to glue to the inside of the cowl, making it a Faraday cage. Just an experiment really.....

I know I'm only making it ever so slightly heavier, but I'm not going to buy a 1.60 for it just yet.

The engine is running great, I get 16 lb 8 oz thrust out of it with a Top Flight Power Tip 18x10 prop at 8250 rpm. I'm wanting to try a carbon fiber 20 x 8 and try to see if it will give more thrust at the same r's.
Not particularly wanting to be frugal, and don't want to crash it, but, I did just come off the hip for 650 clams.
Thanks again,
Darrell

Wow! quick responses!
Yeah, regarding the cap, I forgot to say that it looks like it has a couple of cuts. I have to fix those too, but again, I'm pretty sure after all this, that I'm just going to buy the RCEXL. It sounds like that's the way to go.
I'd still like to know just for my own edification. Are the timing curves similar? Do I have to do/know anything special about them?
Darrell

Pe did a test this is what he found:

About the RCexcl ignition:

below 500 rpm, the ignition does not retard! So flip the prop slowly, and she will bite.

above 800 rpm, the ignition retards a full 21 degrees.

at 1500 rpm, the retardation is lessened up to ~3500, when retard is nil again.

A very nice range that allows excellent throttle response without any power jumps or surges.
up to 8500 rpm, the ignition fires as set by the pickup!
above 8500, there seemed to be a very slight retard again, catering for the higher squish velocities encountered in the combustion chamber.



I've converted 5 engines to this ignition, they work great the V.2 can run on 6.6 volts to about 3.8v, a 1000 mah 4 cell nicad is cheap and easy will usually last all day without recharging. Set it up with 28~30* advance static.

28~30...ok, the Fuji calls for 20* I believe?
Do any of the aftermarket systems ever have any problems? I know, any mechanical thing will develop a problem trust me I know, (I'm a full scale A&P mechanic at a major airline in Atlanta...hmm wonder which one... LOL)

What do you think of the Faraday cage idea? It shouldn't add but just an ounce or two, and if it provides a good solution )as opposed to shielding wires, moving things around, etc. maybe that's an option?

Ok, I finally got the time to go look at the RCEXL....I'm buying it!

No messing around anymore. Not even if it's fun, I want to fly!!!

Thanks for your inputs!

Darrell

RF isn't a problem with the RCexcl ignition, just make sure the cap is all the way on, they are very reliable. With the Fuji they probably actually advance the ignition, the RCexcl ignition retarts it, all the engines I converted worked well at 28~30* BTC.

Thanks Rich! I'm looking into getting one. I am going to give the Fuji one or more shots though. As in, I rectified the metal contacting the engine and the plug boot.
Now if I can start it after jamming a small screw driver about 3/4" up my finger! DOOOHHHH!!!!!!!!
Darrell