I've seen a few 1/2A sized electric planes. Just curious, are any the systems comparable in weight and performance to a TD .049? I just ordered a 1/2a Pathfinder figuring on using a TD and bladder tank. Just wondering how electric might compare.

Matt

I have searched the information available but i get confusing and wildly varying setups. I think is because there are two categories of 1/2A one for the beginner short flight time and one for a full pattern model.
I would like to know some specs as of what works too.
Because my interest is a competitive full pattern flyer i focused on that type model 1/2A. A wegiht comaprison from a wet setup to a electric setup the electric is heavier than the wet setup by far. You are looking at a 100g for the wet setup 50g motor 50g fuel and in the electric the battery alone can get you to 100g and i have not added the ESC motor timer yet.
From the information on hand my initial conclusion is that we want to run the 7in props with the largest area the size of the 1/2A pathfinder to compensate for the extra weight. And use the smallest battery that will get the job done.
It looks like we need a 150W motor to start with and KV to suit.

What is the typical max Amps we draw for the weight of the plane?
What is the typical mAh battery usage during a flight etc?
I see setups with ESC from 9A to 30A
Motors from 1000KV to 2200KV
I believe the only constant is the 3S battery
Actual power consumption is 5A to 10A based on the motor prop combination used.

I sired more confusion than provide answers but i need some answers too.

Art maybe you can tell us more about your findings.
In the pathfinder what battery consumption did you get?
Say you stay with a 6in prop the (max allowed I think, might be wrong). What is better (battery consumption wise) to up the pitch lower RPM or lower the pitch higher RPM? Maybe what was the best prop?
How much mAh did you put back in the pack? Flight time? Full pattern or partial?

Thanks Traian

Okay, I'm looking at a 50 gram motor with a 1400kv. Pairing that with an 850-950 mah 3S pack. I'm looking for an esc in the 15-25amp range that has governor mode. None of my usual sources have any listed with a governor but they just may not be acknowledging that option.
Do these components sound reasonable?
Just adding their weights, I'm guessing it will add 1- 1 1/2oz to the little pathfinder.

Matt

I'm a bit surprised at no governors in little ESCs, because that's what you need for a helicopter -- but maybe all the little helicopters use bespoke ESCs.

The KR timer has its own governor, so you don't need a governing ESC -- that's the beauty of the KR timer.

Everything else sounds reasonable on the surface -- I'm not thinking too deeply about it, though.

Is Heli Mode same as governor? If yes then what about this ESC? https://www.ebay.com/i/262614802722?chn=ps&dispItem=1

AFAIK, yes.  Specifically, I found this page on setting up the BLHELI stuff, and it has tuning parameters for the governor -- so, it has a governor:
http://www.dronetrest.com/t/blheli-esc-guide-for-multirotors-passthrough-mode/2761

Using the thing may get you deeper into the technicalities than you want -- or not, that depends on you.  There should be guides on tuning your quadcopter gains that will apply to an airplane.

We still do not get any answers.

Tim are you going to do full pattern on this bird?

I've answered what I know!!!  I have no immediate plans for a small stunter, although it's certainly looking attractive now that I'm reading this thread.

The one area for 1/2A that does not lend itself to electric is 1/2A scale.  The rules talk about engine size and do not include electric.  To be a little snarkey about it there is no such thing as 1/2A electric.   There is small electric stunt ships but they are not 1/2A motor powered and therefore are not a 1/2A.  It's like saying what electric motor is legal in a class B speed ship!   

For the most part, I agree. But for the sake of discussion and trying get everyone on the same page, I thought calling it 1/2a was best choice. Plus, I did order a 1/2a Pathfinder!

Tim, out of curiosity, how does the KR timer pick up rpm?
I use blheli quite often as I also fly race quads regularly although I'll never be competitive. All the escs I use on my quads do not have a bec so no voltage to power a timer although they do have governors.

I'm not dead set yet on even building this as an electric but I do love not having to clean up after flying and covering pretty much stays on forever! I also really love my TDs on bladder pressure.

Matt

Here is some info on Andy Borgogna's electric 1/2a Pathfinder.  Sounds like a fun combo. 

Arrowind 2210-25 kv=1560
APC-E 7x5 Pusher prop.
3s 1300 and 1350 Li Po batteries, two of each.
Castle Creations Thunderbird 38amp  ESC (non governing).
Timer:  KR timer with built in governor mode.  Startup delay 10 seconds, flight time 5min.-35sec., vari-gain value 4, and finally RPM around 11K.
Spider wire fishing line (multi-strand) 10lb test 45' (eyelet to eyelet) lines.
All up weight is 15 ounces including battery.
1/4 ounce of tip weight.

All ESC wires, except connection to timer, are cut to minimum length and soldered together.  Battery is located under the plane at the CG.  Covering is Polyspan with a couple of coats of dope.  With the 7x5 prop the landing gear will need to be modified to give the prop tips more clearance. 

https://stunthanger.com/smf/gettin-all-amp'ed-up!/12a-pathfinder-electric/
https://stunthanger.com/smf/gettin-all-amp'ed-up!/electric-12-pathfinder-is-looking-very-good/msg201660/
https://stunthanger.com/smf/gettin-all-amp'ed-up!/kr-timer-with-built-in-governor-updated-with-test-results
https://stunthanger.com/smf/gettin-all-amp'ed-up!/flew-the-12a-pathfinder-at-the-'bob-palmer'-contest-this-weekend

The Castle Creations Talon 15 ESC offers the full suite of CL software features that are available in the larger Edge ESC's.  Castle claims the weight with wires to be 7.2 grams and 3.4 grams without. 

http://www.castlecreations.com/en/talon-2/talon-15-esc-010-0129-00

Jason

Eric did you fly the whole pattern?
How much juice do you put back in the pack after you are done with the flight? What pack do you use? What is the Max Amp draw you get for the two setups? I found documented here usages of 5-10A
What is the max Prop we can use on 1/2A stunt model or there is a local rule kind of thing? I was kind of confused as of which is allowed the 7in prop or the 6in prop? Or should we be prepared to change on the fly according to local rules?

Thanks

My impression is that electric stunt 1/2A is defined by prop size. Now I am completely lost  .
Maybe the correct question is what qualifies a 1/2A electric stunt plane? Can anyone define that?
Tim sorry for hijacking the thread but i believe if we do not have clarity how can we work in the right direction. At least for myself. If I know what is allowed then I can go for it.

Eric did you fly the whole pattern?
** Yes
How much juice do you put back in the pack after you are done with the flight?
** All of my systems are set up to use between 70 & 75% of the battery capacity during a 5 minute 30 second flight.
What pack do you use?
** We have our own line of lipo batteries so it is the RSM Power 1300 3 cell.
 What is the Max Amp draw you get for the two setups? I found documented here usages of 5-10A
** Can not recall what it was.
What is the max Prop we can use on 1/2A stunt model or there is a local rule kind of thing? I was kind of confused as of which is allowed the 7in prop or the 6in prop? Or should we be prepared to change on the fly according to local rules?
** Unless there is some local regulation there is nothing nationally that limits the size of the prop. As result most of us just match the prop to the system.