My 2013 mass build project
WolstonFlyer | 21/11/2012 11:03:33 |
![]() 2104 forum posts 189 photos | I thought I would start my build thread a bit early just to get it in place and to add my initial thoughts and plans.
Just a bit of background info about me first.
I am new to RC flying (only last year) but did build a couple of Keil Kraft rubber powered models many years ago in my youth. So far I have only built depron and epp models from free plans found on RC groups and the FliteTest.com website, I have also built an RCPowers Eurofighter that flies very well (and it has been lots of fun). I do have a degree in Engineering but have carved out a career in IT support and programming.
I also have a Wot4 Foam-e to try and pass my 'A' test on (if it ever stops raining), I am hoping to get my A test done before Greenacres so that I can join in with the event.
I decided to join the "balsa bashing" gang and have a go a this years mass build, it looks like it will be fun and I should learn a lot on the way.
Edited By WolstonFlyer on 21/11/2012 11:03:49 |
Danny Fenton | 21/11/2012 11:07:27 |
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I look forward to following along WF
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WolstonFlyer | 21/11/2012 11:15:28 |
![]() 2104 forum posts 189 photos | Just for anybody that is interested this is my powertrain setup for the Tucano using HobbyKing parts form the UK warehouse. - I am going to test the motor with 9x6 and 10x6 APC style prop Turnigy Plush 60Amp Speed Controller Turnigy 5A (8-26v) SBEC - just in case the ESC calls it a day the RX will still have power
Turnigy MG90S Metal Gear Servo - Thanks Phil Winks Edited By WolstonFlyer on 21/11/2012 11:18:48 |
WolstonFlyer | 21/11/2012 11:17:31 |
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Thanks Danny... |
Chris Bott - Moderator | 21/11/2012 11:20:51 |
![]() Moderator 6239 forum posts 1275 photos 1 articles | That looks an excellent setup for the Tucano WF. good to see you're going to test it with different props. I have a 1250Kv motor of about that size, and a 10x6 prop would burn it out on a 3S LiPo, but I know of others that need a 10x6 to produce a useful amount of power. This just shows that not all Kvs can be trusted. Can you let us know the current and power figures when you do test? Good luck with the build, it's good to see a build thread started. |
WolstonFlyer | 21/11/2012 11:27:16 |
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My first problem was that the Turnigy prop drive adapter did not fit on the motor, it was also bent so have ordered a new one The hole at the back of the adapter did not fit over the end of the motor, no amount of pulling down on the bolts would fix it (measuring with calipers shows it was just 0.06mm too small) , I have filed the hole bigger so that it now fits but as the shaft is bent it is still no good. I just hope the new one is better! This is how I plan on mounting the motor with a new former (F1A) A bit like this from Chris Bott's Whizza build
Edited By WolstonFlyer on 21/11/2012 11:31:32 |
WolstonFlyer | 21/11/2012 11:39:47 |
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Thanks Chris, I am taking your lead for the motor mount... see the last picture above I will post some motor / prop test data as soon as I can get into the shed during daylight hours to do tests. I was basing my prop "estimate" from the comments on the HK website. One reviewer says. "Using 3S TGY Nano 2650mAh 35C and Eflite 2100mAh 30C
10x7 APC WOT 46amps 503watts I might start by testing the 10x6 and see what power that gives, Nigel says that 400 Watts is plenty for this model so can always prop down to 9x6 for fewer amps and longer flight time if there is enough thrust. Edited By WolstonFlyer on 21/11/2012 12:00:37 |
Chris Bott - Moderator | 21/11/2012 11:43:24 |
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Great idea WF I needed it further forward so I could get the battery further forward for C/G too. Of course this is on a different model, but it's still one that was designed for the same heavy brushed motor at the front. |
WolstonFlyer | 21/11/2012 11:58:29 |
![]() 2104 forum posts 189 photos | Good point about making room for the ESC, I will include that on my notes (yes I have started a new posh notebook for this build!) Do you think the former needs triangle stock on both sides to hold it in place for strength? If I actually draw up the shape of the former I will post a picture here. I have not ordered any wood yet, I am waiting to see what the wood pack will cost v's ordering direct and getting some extra for the mistakes I will make!
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WolstonFlyer | 21/11/2012 18:54:12 |
![]() 2104 forum posts 189 photos | Well yikes, that is another £20 spent on this model and I have not even built anything yet... From Giant Shark
Black Covering Film Solid (5mtr) - I have decided to go for the much simpler black design
Wire Mesh Guard Black 6mm (1mtr) - Also needed for my 450 Helicopter for neat wiring
JXF 10x7 / 254 x 178mm Poly Composite Propeller
Nylon Arm 2x6x7.5mm 10pieces- For the end of the Torque rods
14g Collets 4/pack with allen key- To hold the nylon arm in place so they can be adjusted
10g Collets 4/pack with allen key - To hold wheels in place but I might need x 6
I am using a Spektrum AR6210 receiver that I have in my toolbox so at least I don't need to buy that but I might swap it out for a AR400 at some point as I only really need 4 channels in the Tucano.
Bye for now
![]() Edited By WolstonFlyer on 21/11/2012 18:56:54 |
David Molineux | 21/11/2012 22:10:34 |
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Don't know if you've seen this Motor/Prop calculator but it's very good. The figures it gave me are almost identical to those I measured with my watt meter. Means you can 'test' different prop sizes for a given motor/lipo combo before actually having to buy them
Dave. |
WolstonFlyer | 21/11/2012 22:21:22 |
![]() 2104 forum posts 189 photos | Hi David Thanks, yes I have already had a play with ecalc and it thinks a 10x6 prop is a good size for that 3542 motor. I have just realised I have ordered a 10x7 prop by mistake (oops)... I better get in touch with GiantShark and change my order. APC 10x6e LiPo 3S 4500mAh 25/35C 2002g of static thrust Prop rpm 11491 Max current 39.25A Top speed 65mph Flight time @ full throttle 6.88mins eCalc thinks that a 10x7 prop may stall and not reach max thrust, it says the same for a 9x6 but 11x6 is ok but very close to max motor current. Edited By WolstonFlyer on 21/11/2012 22:27:04 Edited By WolstonFlyer on 21/11/2012 22:29:33 |
Chris Bott - Moderator | 21/11/2012 23:07:58 |
![]() Moderator 6239 forum posts 1275 photos 1 articles |
Posted by WolstonFlyer on 21/11/2012 11:58:29:
Good point about making room for the ESC, I will include that on my notes (yes I have started a new posh notebook for this build!) Do you think the former needs triangle stock on both sides to hold it in place for strength? If I actually draw up the shape of the former I will post a picture here. I have not ordered any wood yet, I am waiting to see what the wood pack will cost v's ordering direct and getting some extra for the mistakes I will make!
WF after that photo of mine that you posted, I added a doubler to the inside of each fus side. It took the space between the bulkhead and the Wing seat doublers you can see in the photo. |
WolstonFlyer | 21/11/2012 23:24:16 |
![]() 2104 forum posts 189 photos | Ahh thanks, that would make it all much stronger. I am going to have a go at drawing up a plan for the motor mount etc, I will post it on here if it works out OK. |
WolstonFlyer | 25/11/2012 00:58:54 |
![]() 2104 forum posts 189 photos | I got a few jobs towards the build done today, did all of the soldering on the electronics and tested the new servo's and motor. The motor is a beauty, very smooth and quiet. I am going to do some power tests with different sized props but I need to make a simple test stand first. A little brown box also arrived from GiantShark containing some 10x6 and 8x4 props, clevis, horns, swing keepers, wheel collets and and a 5m roll of black covering. I am still waiting to see how much the wood pack will be before putting in an order at SLEC or Balsa Cabin. I am quite suprised at how good the Tunigy MG90s servo's are, quite quick and good centering. They are basically a metal gear version of the popular HXT900, even the plastic case is exactly the same design but black rather than blue. This was taken just before shrinking the heatshrink, the Orange RX is just for testing that everything is working. One thing I don't like on the motor is the tiny C clip that holds the motor shaft and all of the thrust from the prop, I just know it will fail at some point.... So I have added a 4mm wheel collet as a backup... perhaps I just worry too much? The last thing I did was to make up a twin battery cable so that I can try flying with two 2200mAh 3S LiPo's in the plane for longer flight times, rather than buying bigger batteries ( I have quite a few 2200's for my existing planes and helicopter) It was a bit of a squeeze getting two 12AWG cables into the XT60, you can buy a cable like this from HobbyKing but I had the bits to make one up.
Edited By WolstonFlyer on 25/11/2012 01:02:31 |
fly boy3 | 25/11/2012 17:25:39 |
![]() 3119 forum posts 11 photos | Hi WF, I also will be watching your blog, not so much for the balsa bashing phase (good as it is) but for the info I will gain on the electrics. Dyed in the wool ic nut, but try ing to learn a bit on how power chains are chosen for a particular model. Built a few of Tom Wright's PLs and Dart just to gain some knowledge, and will not break the bank if any thing goes wrong. Cheers |
WolstonFlyer | 25/11/2012 18:50:16 |
![]() 2104 forum posts 189 photos | Hi fly boy3 Thanks for following my build. This is my first balsa build so please chip in with any tips! There are a probably a few of us that have chosen a similar power setup using one of the popular Propdrive series of motors from HobbyKing. I know that Phil Winks has got the same setup. This one was chosen because it is a similar size and kv (rpm per volt) as the brushless motor mentioned in the build article by Nigel. There have been advancements in motor efficiency so this motor will probably be a bit powerful for this model, it is rated for 600 watts on a 4 cell battery. I will be using 3 cell and using a prop that should give just over 400 - 450 Watts. This should give over 150 watts per lb depending how heavy my completed plane is. I am expecting it to be very lively in the air. I will be posting some motor test data with a few different prop sizes. I just need some time in my very cold shed to make a motor test stand. The idea is to find a good combination of power output and thrust without going over the max rated Amps of the motor. Unlike an IC engine the motor will try and turn at its kv rating regardless of prop size but the Amps will increase as prop size goes up, to a point where the motor burns out. There is also a balance between the current draw and the available space for batteries and the flight time you will get. Best wishes Edited By WolstonFlyer on 25/11/2012 18:59:01 |
WolstonFlyer | 25/11/2012 22:19:18 |
![]() 2104 forum posts 189 photos | I have just found an interesting article adapting a wing so it bolts on. http://www.balsaworkbench.com/wingbolt.html I think this method may work for the Tucano, I really need a removable wing for storage of the model. I am going to have a go at drawing this wing bolt method over photocopies of the Tucano plan.. watch this space. Edited By WolstonFlyer on 25/11/2012 22:20:46 |
Martin McIntosh | 25/11/2012 23:01:21 |
![]() 2340 forum posts 928 photos | Hi, I have gone for the TGY 35/36 motor and the prop. shaft fits OK. Not run it as yet. Also I have redesigned the wing with a slightly more scale shape but with a little loss of area and is to be built up having a 15.4% section to take electric retracts. Hope to equal out the weight with a lighter general build. Ribs nearly all cut so here we go. Spent a small fortune already on the bits, not including canopy, pilots and covering. |
WolstonFlyer | 25/11/2012 23:54:16 |
![]() 2104 forum posts 189 photos | Hi Martin My replacement propdriver shafts fit OK (I got three more) so the first one must have just been bad luck. Your built up wing with retracts sounds interesting, how thick does that actually make it? Does it still look scale?enough? Are you putting in a retracting or partially retracting nose wheel? It looks like a very tight fit up front to me. I know what you mean about spending a fortune, I think I have 80 pounds in the model already and have no balsa yet. Buying everything new including Motor, servos, ESC, plan and canopy, some of the small hardware, Spektrum Receiver, covering film etc, etc No wonder ARTF is so popular! |
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