For my first foray into the world of electric power I have electrified
my tried and trusted Imitation. My son has been flying this plane for
the past year or so with and OS 46 LA and he really likes the way it
flies. But, it is an absolute mess when we get finished flying!

When I told him I was thinking of trying e-power on it, he was all for it.
With the RC style motor mount on the front this plane was easy to
convert. I made a custom mount out of aluminum sheet, nothing fancy
just simple and effective. I then enlarged the tank cutout just a bit
for the battery and made a small recess for the speed controller and
that's about it.

I'm using a Turnigy motor, Turnigy 2650 mAh 4S battery, and Turnigy
speed controller with the E-flite CL timer. For my first time out with
electrics I decided to try a system that would be economical and easy
to set up. I've got an APC 12 x 6E prop on there now, and also have
an APC 11 x 5.5E to try out.

As soon as I get it in the air I'll let y'all know how she does.

Later, Steve

Ok, Jake, Doug, and I made it up to the flying field for a couple of
short flights before the big game. Awesome! We did just 2 short
flights, one by and one by Doug. We both agreed "that was cool".

We launched at 8800 rpm, that yielded an amp draw of 40. Lap times
felt great, did a few wingovers and loops and really liked it. It was
sprinkling and this was the first time out, so we didn't get too crazy.

Overall, WE LIKED IT!

Later, Steve

RobertC: Quite possible!

Dennis,

What do you mean by this?  Can you please explain?

Regards
Warren

Hi Warren
Many folks have reported a big improvement in line tension in manuvers about 45 degrees with using reverse rotation or "pusher" props.  Because the prop is rotating the opposite direction the torque helps hold the airplane out on the end of the lines better.  The reversal of the slip stream off the prop seems to make the fin more effective also. 

The problem is that there are not a LOT of props available as LH & RH.  THe 12x6 APC is one, but the next is a 9x6. 

Doug, Jake and I made it back out to the flying field yesterday. It was
a bit breezy, a fairly steady 15 mph, but we managed to get some flights
in during a few lulls. Doug flew his new Riff Raff 5 times and it is really
coming along nicely.

I got in 3 flights with the new Electrification and Jake also did a short flight
with it. I flew one full pattern, but it was a bit hairy at the the end as the
battery was losing power and the plane was slowing down. Overall, though
I am quite satisfied after about 5 flights on the plane. It's incredible how
easy the system is.

I am going to try the Hubin timer to see if that gives me a little different
draw on the battery. My question is, is the Hubin FM-2 SR the correct timer
for this application? From what I've read I think this is the right one, but
I just wanted to make sure.

Before packing up after a nice 3 hour session at Hobby Park my son Jake
put in a short flight with the Electrification and really liked it. He has flown
this plane quite a bit with the OS LA 46 on it, and he already says he prefers
the electric setup. Or in his words: "it's pretty cool". He was all smiles after
the landing and said he thought it was actuallye easier to fly with the electric
setup. Next up, I think we'll electrify one of our G Nobler component kits for
him.

Later, Steve

Steve,

So great to hear of your success with the conversion.

I would suggest to make the next big step to go to a governing ESC like a Castle Phoenix.  This would then give you constant speed and balanced power through the whole pattern.  If you need any programming help, I would be glad to help get you moving in the right direction.

Can't wait to hear how it goes with your continued testing.

Take Care!!

Archie Adamisin
Muncie, Indiana

For those of you using the Hubin timer, which one do you prefer?

Later, Steve

Steve:
I seem to recall that you are using a Turnigy(?) ESC.  The Turnigy (& other "simple" ESC's) do not accomodate the voltage drop as the batteries wear down - that is why you are slowing down over the course of the flight and only using 1600 mah.  Hubins FM-0c timer has a throttle up feature; you set the speed you want using a pot on the timer, then over the course of the flight the timer increases the throttle setting to artificially compensate for the battery burn down.  It will help you over the slow down you noticed, however the total set-up is not nearly as capable as the "pro" ESC's.

Of course as others have mentioned, the Castle Phoenix or Schulze ESC's are designed to control RPM over the course of a flight.  I used the Hubin FM-2SR with Phoenix 35 or 45 ESC in the "Set RPM" mode.  Others use the Phoenix in "High Gov" mode so they can still set the speed using the pot.  I prefer the Set RPM mode because I feel it is the most consistant flight to flight and the easiest way to precisely change the RPM for conditions.  In this mode you can call up one of three programmed speeds so if you like adding or reducing your speed versus your base its prety easy to call that up.

Wil makes several different timer configs for different ESC's and operating modes.  Maybe the beswt answer would be to send him a note with what you are looking for...