Author Topic: Conversion (Read 7399 times)

Randy Powell · « **on:** April 20, 2014, 06:02:52 PM »

So, as I said in the other thread, I'm putting my current project on hold (I'm just not happy with it and will get back to it later). I am converting an old plane to electric. I managed to hog out the nose today and built a mount for the motor. this is going to take a bit but should work out OK. Glad the plane has a 2" spinner or this probably wouldn't work. I'll post pictures later.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2014, 07:30:08 PM »

Cool. Nice to see you back here Randy.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2014, 10:45:36 AM »

Yea, I'm hoping life will get out of the way for a bit and I can get back to flying.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2014, 04:55:58 PM »

Keep your stick on the ice,,
were all pulling for ya

James Mills · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2014, 06:58:45 PM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on April 21, 2014, 04:55:58 PM

Keep your stick on the ice,,
were all pulling for ya

And if the women don't find you handsome they should find you handy.

James

Will Hinton · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2014, 02:17:58 PM »

Hang tough, Randy. A few days/weeks/months away from the build should help get you back in the mood to resume it. Flying the conversion will help, too. Your plight reminds me of writers' block!!! AAAAAAAAAAAHH!!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2014, 07:22:46 PM »

Ya know, there always looks like a ton of room in the nose of the plane ... until you try to stuff all that electrical stuff in there.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2014, 09:31:20 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on April 27, 2014, 07:22:46 PM

Ya know, there always looks like a ton of room in the nose of the plane ... until you try to stuff all that electrical stuff in there.

OH but I feel your pain, I went through that on the 109,, and I was using a 4S setup in which the battery is MUCH bigger than the 5S setup,, but I think my nose was to short to balance with a 5S pack,,

Randy Powell · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2014, 01:55:44 PM »

Mark,

I've got the battery and motor mounted. Just trying to figure out where to put the timer, ESC and arming plug. then I get to refinish part of the plane (from all the holes I'm cutting) and fix a puncture in the wing thanks to a carelessly handle piece of equipment.

55chevr · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2014, 03:10:47 PM »

a photo of the ship would help. The ESC is the hardest to locate. What equipment are you using?

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2014, 03:31:24 PM »

Randy,, ,maybe a drop tank? muah hahaha

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2014, 03:42:52 PM »

Quote from: 55chevr on April 29, 2014, 03:10:47 PM

a photo of the ship would help. The ESC is the hardest to locate. What equipment are you using?

Foe toes, please.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2014, 07:32:44 PM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on April 29, 2014, 03:31:24 PM

Randy,, ,maybe a drop tank? muah hahaha

Huh-huh.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2014, 02:36:35 PM »

I'll take a picture when I finish getting all the equipment into the thing.

Using E-Flight 32, 25c, 3000mah battery, an ICE Lite 75 and Hubin timer.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2014, 09:06:24 PM »

Looks like it's going to more complicated than I thought. Having to rework the cowl and do some repaint. Oh well, it's coming along.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2014, 10:36:47 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on May 04, 2014, 09:06:24 PM

Looks like it's going to more complicated than I thought...

Aw c'mon, that never happens!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2014, 08:40:16 PM »

Hey Wayne, what can I say. You think you have plenty of room then you realize, well, not so much.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #17 on:** May 10, 2014, 07:09:44 PM »

OK, I got everything in there. Now, if I can just figure out how to hold the cowl down....

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #18 on:** May 10, 2014, 08:47:17 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on May 10, 2014, 07:09:44 PM

OK, I got everything in there. Now, if I can just figure out how to hold the cowl down....

packing tape?

wwwarbird · « **Reply #19 on:** May 10, 2014, 09:56:20 PM »

I've always thought the often seen zip ties or velcro straps really helps to enhance the appearance our models. Try to make sure that you leave as much wiring exposed as possible too, with extra unnecessary length flapping in the breeze being an added bonus.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #20 on:** May 11, 2014, 10:36:46 AM »

Cute.

The original hold down had to be tossed as it interfered with the motor. So not, I have to be clever.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #21 on:** May 11, 2014, 06:06:44 PM »

I'm sure you'll come up with something Randy. How about those fancy little magnet jobbies?

john e. holliday · « **Reply #22 on:** May 12, 2014, 10:21:27 AM »

Electrical tape or big rubber bands for hold down.

I know you will come up with something.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #23 on:** May 12, 2014, 10:58:03 AM »

Well, I was trying to avoid having two screws to hold the cowl down since they will have to be taken off after each flight, but such is life. I've started patch and repairing at this point and hope to spray some paint to touch things up by the weekend.

Alan Resinger · « **Reply #24 on:** May 13, 2014, 07:19:48 AM »

Randy,
Is this thing going to be ready for Salem? I'm going to be in Seattle next Wednesday. Plan on flying with Mike over at Auburn in the afternoon. I'll head down to Portland the next morning and pick up McClave. Some of the California guys were planning on getting there early to get in some practice. I'm judging on Friday and Saturday so I wouldn't mind some practice on Thursday and maybe a little late Friday. Don and I are commuting from Portland every day.
Hope to see you there.
Alan

Randy Powell · « **Reply #25 on:** May 13, 2014, 02:54:33 PM »

Alan,

I won't be ready until the Stunt-A-Thon. I'm going to my son's graduation and won't be at the Regionals. More's the pity. But I should be able to get back into the swing of things this year.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #26 on:** May 19, 2014, 01:05:55 PM »

Well, the conversion is mostly done. I am now touching up the previous damage to the plane (hole in the wing and changes to accommodate the electrics). It will never be pretty again short of a full refinish, but it should be serviceable. I hope to have it ready to fly in the next week or so.

Bill Little · « **Reply #27 on:** May 19, 2014, 02:12:51 PM »

Hi Randy,

I hope the time factor clears up enough for you to get in some practice. It's good to know you have been able to get the project finished.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Randy Powell · « **Reply #28 on:** May 26, 2014, 05:34:23 PM »

So, it's mostly ready. One thing I forgot was a left hand spinner. So, I'll need to find one of those. I was set up for a Randy Smith 2" "Veco"type spinner. Any suggestions?

It will never be pretty again, but all the repairs are done and it looks sort of OK.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #29 on:** May 26, 2014, 08:12:10 PM »

Maybe check out Tru-Turn for a spinner?

http://www.tru-turn.com/

Mike Haverly · « **Reply #30 on:** May 26, 2014, 11:06:18 PM »

Randy, I can fix up a blank Brodak for you, two or three slots. I've already done a few. Let me know, it takes about three days to get them and about 1/2 hour to cut the slots. Also, depends on what type of collet you are using.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #31 on:** May 27, 2014, 11:15:54 AM »

Hi Mike,

I'm using a Power 32 with the standard collet. 2". If you could do one, that would be great. Email me the cost.

Thanks

Mike Haverly · « **Reply #32 on:** May 27, 2014, 12:23:46 PM »

Randy, standard collets vary with the spinner you are using, and the fit you want. Kinda like there is no standard. Brodak spinners have a funky knurled boss on the back that can cause run out. I machine it off and that changes the spinner fit to the nose ring. Best thing to do is order a spinner (two would be better) and have it shipped directly to me and we'll go from there. The Tru-Turn spinners are different again. I actually use a Tru-Turn type of collet and adapt my spinners to that. Tru-Turn is also pretty expensive. It's not really complicated but I know you want a good fit at the nose ring. I've done them for Chris and Allan, Howard rolls, er, prints his own.

Paul's is different yet. None of the above has anything to do with the actual slots. I assume you are talking about LH rotation.

Or, you could order the spinner, and bring here for a custom fit then we can go fly it! Get two and we can do a two and three blade. The set up is the same on my machine, just nice to make one set up and be done with it. We'll deal with the phenomenal fee later.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #33 on:** May 29, 2014, 02:49:20 PM »

Mike,

So, I ordered a couple of Brodak jobs. In the mean time, I hacked up a cheap Great Planes spinner that seems will work for the moment.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #34 on:** May 29, 2014, 09:59:34 PM »

Get any batteries for that camera yet?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #35 on:** May 30, 2014, 09:21:59 AM »

Hi Wayne,

Yea, I've just been too lazy to take pictures. I'll do that later today.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #36 on:** May 30, 2014, 06:13:25 PM »

Heh-heh, just pokin' at ya!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #37 on:** May 30, 2014, 09:09:51 PM »

Well, I ran into a problem I now have to figure out. Looks like the cowl won't come off if the spinner is on, so I'm going to have to go back to modifying the cowl so I can get the thing apart to change batteries.

Sigh....

I will get it eventually. Then I'll take pictures, Wayne.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #38 on:** May 31, 2014, 04:53:02 PM »

So, I got it all together and took it outside, plugged it in and pushed the button. It played me a tune, spun once, sat there for about 20 seconds then spun up. I let it run for about 30 seconds just to make sure the nose didn't spin off. then pulled the arming plug and took these pictures.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #39 on:** May 31, 2014, 05:00:18 PM »

looks good Randy,,
how did your vertical CG comeout?
looking forward to your flying report,,

Mike Haverly · « **Reply #40 on:** May 31, 2014, 07:10:49 PM »

"how did your vertical CG comeout?"

I was wondering the same thing.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #41 on:** May 31, 2014, 08:07:13 PM »

Ahh, I remember that plane now. Sure looks like a lot of stuff crammed in there.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #42 on:** June 01, 2014, 12:51:15 PM »

The battery is right one the CL of the wing. It seems to hang flat from the leadouts so it's OK, I guess. It's not as tight as it seems. There's actually quite a lot of room around the battery and motor. Only thing I'm concerned with is the ESC. It just clears the cowl but there are vent right underneath it so I'm hope air will flow over it well.