This was Brodak's (and the industry's?) first complete turn-key electric model, and introduced many of us, including me, to ECL.  While successful the advancing state-of-the-art showed many areas that it could be improved too. This past summer John Brodak asked me to help develop several power system packages that would cover all of his product line, from Baby Clown to Strega. Included in that was an upgrade and complete do-over of the electric Super Clown power system:

* Motor: Arrowind 2815. The motor is about 1.5mm larger in dia and about the same length.  Arrowind is producing a special version of this motor designed for front mounting and fits the same mounting pattern as the "red motor" used in the current Super Clown. The new motor also has the kv reduced from 1500 to 1300 which lets it work more efficiently with larger props.  Great match with the 9x4.5 or 10x5 APC prop.

* Battery: the old red 3Sx4000 15C pack is replaced by a new Arrowind 3Sx3300 20C pack. The new pack is just s smidgen smaller, and about 2 oz lighter than the old pack with higher quality construction. It is also equipped with a Dean's Ultra connector.

* ESC: Arrowind 35A. This is a simple non-governing ESC, however it has a soft start mode, and a prop brake. This is a major upgrade over the old single speed ESC.

* Timer: Will Hubin FM-0c with power-up function to balance speed over duration of flight.  Powers on the motor for a short blip, then has a built-in start-up delay for 15 seconds. Flight time adjustable from 1:45 to 6 min. Throttle adjustment from 4.8 Sec/lap to 6.5 sec/lap when using a 9x4 prop. Also gives a 5 sec end of flight time alert.

* The new Charger/Ba lancer will charge at up to a 2A rate versus the old charger's 0.6A rate - meaning recharge time has been cut by some 70%!  BTW, Brodak will also be selling new deluxe charger that will recharge up to 6S packs at up to a 5A rate.

* Price - LESS! More performance at less cost is a good deal when you can swing it. Watch for announcements.


I have been flying the complete new system in a Super Clown and it works great. Recently, I substituted one of the old red motors, and affirmed it is completely compatible - and very happy - flying with the new battery, ESC & Timer. The Super Clown likes the 2 oz lighter battery too!

> If you are curious about electrics, but have been watching from the sidelines, I would recommend the Super Clown as a very good complete package set-up to get you introduced to ECL.

> The Power System will also be available separate from the airplane so you can e-power any other similar design - basically anything that flies with a 25-35 IC system will be well suited for the new power system. For example I am currently finishing up a Brodak Shark 402 that I have no doubt will perform well with the new system.

> If you have one of the early electric Super Clowns, I recommend you upgrade the ESC, Timer, Battery and Charger to the new components and discover how good the Super Clown with the electric power system can be.

Hi Dennis,

The new clown should be awesome. Any chance you can change the nose to a rear mount? It might not look as nice, but China never built the nose the way I intended it (to weak and cheap looking). It will also allow for better cooling if it becomes an issue.

Mike 

Thanks Mike, I know you know what was required to make the Clown power system perform to its full potential!

Apparently there are still quite a few SC's in stock with front mounts and wing-pocket batteries - too many to scrap out.  Thus the modified motor to fit the front mount and the "wafer" style battery. However no doubt rear mounts are MUCH easier to do on profiles!

I glued the fiberglass nose cowling on with gorilla glue, plus a couple SM screws.  The glue foams up to fill any gaps and it is really tough now.  I also opened up the nose ring for cooling, and plan to show that in an addendum to the instructions..

Dennis

I liked Big Art's opinion on seeing your power system fly the Super Clown: "A Super Clown never had it so good!"

That was pretty much the way it looked from where I was standing. I was amazed at the difference between the new power system and the original and how well it flies. I also liked the way you flew it... laying on your back.  It was more interesting watching you try to get up though. Got to admit that.

 
bob branch

Bob:
I have not tried flying laying on my back in at least 40 years!  Yes I'm sure it was funny watching me get back up.  Musta looked like a beached whale growing feet and crawling up on land..!     

stuntguy-Dennis: Yes, but I will show those in a new thread - stay tuned... 

Dusting off this thread for an update:

The new Super Clown is power system is available in a package deal with the SC-ARF.  Complete power system with the charger AND an airplane is now available (Brodak Item #BH-1831) for $259.99.  That's something like $100 under the original package.  NOT BAD, especially considering that motor, battery, ESC, timer, and charger are all better than what they replace.

http://www.brodak.com/shop_productdetail.php?ProductID=8862


Brodak is also selling a combo built around the Baby Clown ARF.

I have placed an order for one of these... ie the Super Clown kit. Looking forward to trying out electric flight.

Hi Warren, For what it's worth.... As you can tell the "do-ers" in my family are very activly pursueing ECL. They can be pretty animated in family discussions. Brother Alan being a little more skeptical than most called me on the QT to do a T.O.R. (test of reasonableness). I told him the following: "remember the best run you ever had? Imagine that ALL of the ECL runs are better than that".

I was just reading the December issue of Flying Models, and noticed the Brodak ad on page 11.

I was particularly impressed with the Super Clown sale ($259.99). If the new electric SC really looks like that--and for that price, I am sure you will have a winner.


Note: you really need to take a look at the ad!

RATZ I do not have that issue anymore and do not recall the ad - can you scan & post???

Here's a second try in case someone prefers to read rightside up...

Do you like the profile of that SuperClown?

I got to fly the new electric super clown in the picture and it really flies great!!!!

  LL~bob branch

That I don't know by looking at that ad.

Archie Adamisin
Muncie, Indiana

Hey guys, sorry I forgot to subscribe to the topic, I have ordered the BH-1831 and am awaiting it's arrival. 

Cant wait to have some perfect flights with it.  I already have a Super Clown with a OS25LA onboard and it flies great!  Looking forward to trying the electric version to get me started in electric. 

We have our first F2B electric comp scheduled for August 2010 and will be run by Ian Smith. I think some of you know him. This gives us all plenty of time go get something sorted.  I'm thinking of converting my Pathfinder to electric for the event, but the Super Clown may be good enough???

Cheers

Just got the Feb issue of FM.  They got the pix right this time and th e description is updated.

Got my Super Clown Electric kit in the mail today. Very nice!  Should have it all put together by tomorrow and ready to fly on Saturday.  I have added a little bit trim using Monocote trim sheet. Will post a pic when done.

T'rrrific news. Give a shout if it gives you any grief.

On the front end: its a good idea to peel back the 'cote, and put some glas cloth over the nose ring to fuselage joint.  The also get a good secure bonding of the front cowl to the fuselage.

Careful I'm pretty sure the motor is tapped for M3 (3mm) machine screws.  The scres that come with the motor - aren't they flatheads also?  If you countersink the mounting holes it will add some effective length.

Be careful that the longer screws do not reach too deep into the motor - they CANNOT be allowed to touch any of the windings & such. 

The motor plate could stand a little cooling air openings too - see pix.  I flew mine without the cooling openings then added them later, it lowered the motor temperature as measured with the "thumb" cannot tell you how much except it was noticable...

BTW I flew mine with the new silver Arrowind motor and the old Brodak red motor - either work fine with the new controller & timer.

The screws that came with the motor are too short. Less than a 1/4".  Flat head, with phillips head. I tried a 4-40 bolt and it screwed in with no resistance. I have done it all carefully and believe 3/8" is fine. ie not too long.  I will also do as you have suggested and make some air holes as well.

The decals I received also aren't the "electric" decals. Not a biggy, perhaps I got an older ARF or something.

Thanks.

Sheesz, looks like you are about 20 mintes from being RTF.  Keep it up my friend!

G'day Warren,so you have gone electric,good to see,I have been
flying my Cardinal with electric since the November comp in Newcastle.
Whole new ball game,but its been interesting,you are in the right place
the guy's here will steer you in the right direction.
Paul Allen

Looks My-T-Fine Warren.    Looking forward to your flight reports.


Not to spoil any surprises but, I am flying mine on 60' eye to eye, at minimum throttle setting it goes about 6.5 sec per lap, thats a little too slow.  At max throttle it goes about 4.5 sec per lap - fun at that speed, but Isettled on somewhere around 3/4 -7/8 throttle-  your speeds may be a little different... 

Not to spoil any surprises but, I am flying mine on 60' eye to eye, at minimum throttle setting it goes about 6.5 sec per lap, thats a little too slow.  At max throttle it goes about 4.5 sec per lap - fun at that speed, but Isettled on somewhere around 3/4 -7/8 throttle-  your speeds may be a little different...  

I was going to use 60 ft lines, and half throttle to begin with.  Hopefully will fly it in the morning. (in about 8 hours time)

Will let you know how it goes.

Cheers

RATZ!

I was hoping you would have a flight test.  Interesting comparison you have made on your two SC's.  I have an IC version with an Enya 30  and a 9x5 prop that really flies nice too.

One small correction to your chart: The Arrowind 2815 for the Super Clown is a special wind that results in KV=1300.

Warren
          One more photo. I forgot to mention its a 4S 1P battery pack.
Just gets the job done, uses about 80% of battery,looking to go higher
on mah capacity.

Congrats Warren!  Let's see, you went flying in the neighborhood without raising the ire of your neighbors, while sharing a brew or three... sounds like a great flying session to me!  Did you get a launch or fly "stooge-less"?

Now get to work on that Pathfinder...

Paul: good post on your stuff too - did you put it in the "List your set-ups" thread?  I also like that you are getting away with the LIGHT 2200 pack (albeit a bit more mah would be comfy)

Warren
         Not wanting to steel this thread but here is the info, I listened to
all the guy's on this forum and managed to get some excellent advice from
Alan Hahn,Will Hubin and Will Moore.Than I copied Alan's setup from his Vector
as I decided the way he ran it was what I was looking to do also.
Scorpion 3020-780 KV motor, Castle 45 ESC,APC 12x6 tractor prop, 2,200 mah battery
started with the JMP 2 timer but have switched to the FM2 Hubin timer as you can
select anyone of three programed speeds at the field,very handy
Still learning, have about 20 flights on it so far.

Hey Paul,

This forum is awesome for help I agree.  Thanks for sharing your setup.

On the Pathfinder I am trying something different ie going cheap with a Turnigy gold motor 35-48B-900 (equiv to Axi 2826), basic 50A ESC, Turnigy 14.8 3300Ah 4S1C 20C Battery and probably a hubin FM2 timer.  All up cost of around $100 AU and it should all bolt onto the Pathfinder fairly easily.

Cheers



 

Hey Paul,

This forum is awesome for help I agree.  Thanks for sharing your setup.

On the Pathfinder I am trying something different ie going cheap with a Turnigy gold motor 35-48B-900 (equiv to Axi 2826), basic 50A ESC, Turnigy 14.8 3300Ah 4S1C 20C Battery and probably a hubin FM2 timer.  All up cost of around $100 AU and it should all bolt onto the Pathfinder fairly easily.

Cheers

Warren:
You need an FM-0c timer with the simple ESC - the reson being that th e simple ESC's do NOT maintain RPM as the battery drains (been there done that) The FM-0c keeps adding throttle over the time of the flight, roughly compensating for the discharge of the battery.  I flew an OTS bird with that exact set-up and from beginning to end of flight it held within .1 sec/lap.  I also have this kind of set-up on the 1/2A size Pathfinder and it works fine there too.

The system will work OK, but again, you are at the mercy of the ESC having a hard time keeping up with motor load.  Good for sport flying, but it will not be as good as a Governing ESC like a Castle Phoenix.