Author Topic: Electric Pathfinder (Read 1983 times)

Warren Leadbeatter · « **on:** February 11, 2010, 02:52:34 AM »

OK got this thing setup and ready to go. Just need to get it in the air now and do some tuning.

Turnigy 3548-900kV Motor, Castle ICE LITE 50 ESC, Hubin FM2 timer, 3300mAH 4S 20C battery, all up weight 53oz.

I made a bracket for the motor so the model can still take either glow (ST G21/.46) or Electric.

Here's a pic.

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2010, 07:34:49 AM »

Very nice! Good weight too.

It will be interesting to see how it goes. Once you get the rpm dialed in, post a plot from the ICE showing what the plane requires in terms of watts and battery size.

John Cralley · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2010, 07:11:27 PM »

Warren,

It strikes me that you are courting disaster with your battery mount. I cannot really tell from your photo but it looks like the battery can slide forward in the event of a crash (God forbid) or even a rough landing. Otherwise it is a nice looking setup and I hope it flies as good as it looks..

John

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2010, 08:05:50 PM »

Way to go Warren. I believe, once you fly with that power system you will NOT put the ST-46 in it again...

Walter Hicks · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2010, 08:09:46 PM »

Does anyone manufacture a profile mount such as this for the Turnigy 35-48 -800,900,1100? I know in the past Jim Echlin? sold mounts for the Axi.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2010, 09:21:14 PM »

Quote from: John Cralley on February 11, 2010, 07:11:27 PM

Warren,

It strikes me that you are courting disaster with your battery mount. I cannot really tell from your photo but it looks like the battery can slide forward in the event of a crash (God forbid) or even a rough landing. Otherwise it is a nice looking setup and I hope it flies as good as it looks..

John

As well as the two straps there is a piece of velcro holding it to the fuselage (which you cannot see) that stops it sliding back and forth. It will not slide forward. I had the same concern which is why I put it there.

Cheers

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2010, 09:23:12 PM »

Quote from: Walter Hicks on February 11, 2010, 08:09:46 PM

Does anyone manufacture a profile mount such as this for the Turnigy 35-48 -800,900,1100? I know in the past Jim Echlin? sold mounts for the Axi.

There is one available, but I thought I would just make my own out of a piece of extruded aluminium angle. It was pretty easy to make and very solid.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2010, 09:24:25 PM »

Quote from: Dennis Adamisin on February 11, 2010, 08:05:50 PM

Way to go Warren. I believe, once you fly with that power system you will NOT put the ST-46 in it again...

Somehow I think you are correct.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2010, 11:31:27 PM »

Ok went for a fly... it was a bit windy though, so the model got blown around a fair bit. I couldnt even hear the motor running at take off. The lap time was a little slow, ~6 seconds, so in the wind it was difficult to do reverse wingover and other high maneuvers. I need to up the revs. I was running at 9000. Perhaps I need to be up around 9800 with the prop I have. This is fun stuff!

Here's the log.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2010, 01:54:20 AM »

And here's the video
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Alan Hahn · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2010, 07:43:56 AM »

Warren,
Looking at your rpm plot makes me think you need to up the governor gain a bit. You see the rpm vary a little with load. I don't see that with my EagleTree data recorder, and I don't think the ICE would see variations that my Eagletree would miss.

Also I would turn on the Power Output measurement. That tells you how close you are to max throttle.

John Hammonds · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2010, 05:16:24 PM »

Really nice job Warren, You need to get this posted on the Barton site, we need all the help we can get

TTFN
John.

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2010, 05:40:15 PM »

Quote from: Warren Leadbeatter on February 12, 2010, 01:54:20 AM

And here's the video
<snip>

Ahhhh, green grass, blue skies, I think I remember........

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2010, 06:45:49 PM »

Second flight... much better... lap time around 5 secs, flew full pattern, good line tension all the way.

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2010, 06:53:14 PM »

What prop are you using?

The rpm looks pretty steady now, and I think you are ok on the capacity.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2010, 07:09:26 PM »

Hi Allan,

I'm using a 11x5.5 E at the moment, thinking about trying a 12x6 EP now. I'm pretty happy with it. Looks like I got the battery about right which was a worry.

Cheers

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2010, 07:15:18 PM »

Quote from: Warren Leadbeatter on February 12, 2010, 07:09:26 PM

Hi Allan,

I'm using a 11x5.5 E at the moment, thinking about trying a 12x6 EP now. I'm pretty happy with it. Looks like I got the battery about right which was a worry.

Cheers

The 12-6 will lower the rpm back down towards 9000, and should really be a good match.

Looks like you are getting pretty close to a good setup.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2010, 07:27:43 PM »

Yes I am already very happy with it... it can only get better from here. Thanks for all your help and advice.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2010, 07:35:08 AM »

Warren - 2 thoughts:

* YEEHAH! Looks really good, You will like the 12x6 prop too, probably 8800 to 9000 RPM or so...

* I speculate there will be a ST-46 showing up on EBAY pretty soon...

Nice vid. Is this in the neighborhood park again? Nice having a close-by flying site is it?

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2010, 04:03:54 PM »

Dennis,

The video was shot at a different park to last time. I have lots of places to fly here including on the beach.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #20 on:** February 27, 2010, 01:04:38 AM »

Hi All,

I tried a 12x6 APC Pusher prop on the Pathfinder today. Wow, so much more line tension and it flies faster... will have to slow it down a bit more... going to try 8800 rpms next flight.

Cheers

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #21 on:** February 27, 2010, 11:02:16 AM »

Quote from: Warren Leadbeatter on February 27, 2010, 01:04:38 AM

Hi All,

I tried a 12x6 APC Pusher prop on the Pathfinder today. Wow, so much more line tension and it flies faster... will have to slow it down a bit more... going to try 8800 rpms next flight.

Cheers

Now its REALLY bye bye to the Super Tigre!

Are you using the tractor version or the pusher version of the 12x6? If it is the tractor, keep tuning and when you get it right switch to the pusher - you will be amazed...

Just shoveled about 2 feet of "chance of snow". I am WAY past waiting for spring to get here.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #22 on:** February 28, 2010, 04:03:55 AM »

It is bye bye to the Super Tigre from the Pathfinder, but I will be keeping it for a future project.

I was using a Tractor then switched to the Pusher. That's is what I said.. ie amazed at how much more line tension there is!

Still hot and sweaty here... cant wait for winter, but then again we don't get snow as our winters are much milder than yours... ours is more like Georgia's climate I guess.

Cheers

Author Topic: Electric Pathfinder (Read 1983 times)

Alan Hahn

Walter Hicks

Alan Hahn

Alan Hahn

Alan Hahn

Alan Hahn