Author Topic: OK, I give up! Here's my latest, a Half A electric sheet wing stunter (Read 6726 times)

Crist Rigotti · « **on:** May 29, 2014, 08:36:38 PM »

It's called the White Lightning. I DL the plans from the Internet.

Some specs:
28 inch wingspan
168 sq in. Wing area
Cobra 2208/26 1550Kv motor
3S 370mah ( for Beginner pattern) 3S 850 for the entire pattern
Castle Creations Phoenix 10 for beginner, 25A for the entire pattern due to the extra weight of the batteries....maybe.
Hubin FM-9 Timer
APC 7 x 5P cut down to 6 inches to comply with the Renkar rule.

As it sits it weighs 6 oz. The balsa has been sealed with 3 cots of nitrate dope and is ready for the Japanese tissue. I'm thinking of running a cf 3mm x .5mm strip down the wingspan to stiffen it up. The cost will be a mere 4 grams.

Enjoy the pics.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #1 on:** May 29, 2014, 09:01:57 PM »

Yee Haw! NOW we're having fun!

Larry Lindburg · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2014, 07:59:09 AM »

Awesome, Crist. At the Milwaukee contest, grown men will be weeping.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2014, 08:48:57 AM »

I too have the plans for the White Lightning. Keep us posted on your E-power set up.

Bob Hudak · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2014, 09:28:44 PM »

Boy if Gullows had this as a kit they'd still be in business. Nice and tidy Christ, and a front mount to seal the deal !
Bob

wwwarbird · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2014, 10:05:18 PM »

Nice looking little plane Crist, red white and blue?

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2014, 10:59:31 PM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on May 30, 2014, 10:05:18 PM

Nice looking little plane Crist, red white and blue?

Where'd you get that idea? How about traditional red and yellow Japanese tissue.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2014, 11:00:14 PM »

Quote from: Bob Hudak on May 30, 2014, 09:28:44 PM

Boy if Gullows had this as a kit they'd still be in business. Nice and tidy Christ, and a front mount to seal the deal !
Bob

Thanks Bob. Is there another way to mount an electric motor?

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2014, 08:08:38 AM »

Here's the wing with the CF strip added. The strip was 3mm x .5mm x 100. I used my #11 blade and just slit the wood. I epoxied it in and the total weight gain was 3 grams. Well worth the effort.

roger gebhart · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2014, 12:15:46 PM »

Christ. Looking at the pic did you do this twice. Longer in front (aka) spar and a shorter piece further back?

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2014, 01:58:49 PM »

Quote from: roger gebhart on May 31, 2014, 12:15:46 PM

Christ. Looking at the pic did you do this twice. Longer in front (aka) spar and a shorter piece further back?

Yes, the CF strip was 40 inches long and the front spar is 24 inches long which made the aft spar 16 inches long. The wingspan is 28 inches.

roger gebhart · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2014, 02:54:15 PM »

One more question and I'll be quiet. Is the CF strip stiff enough that you can coat it with epoxy and push it into the slot you cut? I have never used CF and know very little about it. Thanks rog

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #12 on:** May 31, 2014, 07:00:39 PM »

Quote from: roger gebhart on May 31, 2014, 02:54:15 PM

One more question and I'll be quiet. Is the CF strip stiff enough that you can coat it with epoxy and push it into the slot you cut? I have never used CF and know very little about it. Thanks rog

Yes, it is stiff enough to "butter" with epoxy and insert it into the slot. I insert one end, then run my finger down the length to push it down into the slot. BTW, I used 2 pieces of masking tape, 1 on each side of the slot and one of the "free" ends was taped to the top of my workbench. I then inserted the buttered up CF strip into 1 end of the slot, then with 1 hand I pulled gently on the other piece of masking tape to open up the slot slightly, then with the other hand, I pushed down the CF into the slot. When the CF strip was inserted, I then let go of the masking tape. The slot closed up on the CF. I then ran my finger several times across the length to "bottom" out the CF. Then a few wipes with a paper towel and alcohol to clean it all up. Wax paper and weights over night.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2014, 09:22:13 PM »

If you used 3mm CF, I'm guessing that the wing is 1/8" thick?. On my flat wing Kwikkie Skyfire, I put strips flat, top and bottom. It still flexes a bit! But then, it flies pretty fast on longish lines.

RC Storick · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2014, 10:03:26 PM »

If you want to be on the front row at the NATS with that you better paint it.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2014, 10:05:52 PM »

Quote from: Larry Renger on May 31, 2014, 09:22:13 PM

If you used 3mm CF, I'm guessing that the wing is 1/8" thick?. On my flat wing Kwikkie Skyfire, I put strips flat, top and bottom. It still flexes a bit! But then, it flies pretty fast on longish lines.

Yes, the wing is 1/8 thick. I'm in the middle of covering it with Sig Esaki Lite-Flite tissue and I'm sure I'll gain some strength form it. I'll keep everyone posted as how it all works out.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2014, 10:07:05 PM »

Quote from: Robert Storick on May 31, 2014, 10:03:26 PM

If you want to be on the front row at the NATS with that you better paint it.

I am painting it. I'm putting on the clear coats as we type!

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #17 on:** June 01, 2014, 05:32:47 PM »

Here's my progress so far. The finish is done except for the bottom outboard wing stiffener and the lead out guide. The finish from bare balsa to here was 16 grams. I used SIG nitrate dope, Dupont 3608S thinner, SIG Lite Flite tissue, and a thin line Sharpie. On to hinging and the assembly details.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #18 on:** June 01, 2014, 06:42:47 PM »

Looks great Crist, your usual tidy workmanship!

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #19 on:** June 02, 2014, 10:55:06 PM »

Thanks Wayne.

All I have to do is make up the lead outs.
As it sits with battery ready to fly (less lead outs) 9.3 oz and that's with .2oz tip weight.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #20 on:** June 02, 2014, 11:28:27 PM »

I like the J-hooks for the fuel tank.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #21 on:** June 03, 2014, 08:41:11 AM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on June 02, 2014, 11:28:27 PM

I like the J-hooks for the fuel tank.

Old school meets modern technology!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #22 on:** June 03, 2014, 10:10:14 AM »

I like the plane and the looks of the set up. Might surprise my self at Brodaks.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #23 on:** June 03, 2014, 10:22:13 AM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on June 03, 2014, 10:10:14 AM

I like the plane and the looks of the set up. Might surprise my self at Brodaks.

Thanks Doc.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #24 on:** June 04, 2014, 08:39:35 AM »

OK, all ready to go. 9.5 oz "fueled up" with battery.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #25 on:** June 04, 2014, 07:03:54 PM »

I did some ground checking today and I found out that the Phoenix 10 ESC shows a draw of almost 12 amps! According to my calculations I should be drawing about 7-8 amps. I then used one of my Phoenix 45 ESC and the current level went down to about 7-8 amps! This check was done using my Watts UP meter. The plane gained another 1/2 ounce...up to 10.1 ounces.

Also I checked the rpm range and found out the P45 ESC would only hold a governor lock at about 11, 100 RPM. Hmm..... I then updated the software to the latest version 4.19 and now it holds governor lock at 11,990 rpm (max rpm using a Hubin fm-9 timer). I'm going to update all my ESC's to the latest firmware.

John Cralley · « **Reply #26 on:** June 05, 2014, 08:51:05 AM »

Hi Crist,

How did the CG turn out??

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #27 on:** June 05, 2014, 09:11:20 AM »

Quote from: John Cralley on June 05, 2014, 08:51:05 AM

Hi Crist,

How did the CG turn out??

Right on the money per plans!

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #28 on:** June 05, 2014, 09:16:05 AM »

Quote from: Crist Rigotti on June 04, 2014, 07:03:54 PM

I did some ground checking today and I found out that the Phoenix 10 ESC shows a draw of almost 12 amps! According to my calculations I should be drawing about 7-8 amps. I then used one of my Phoenix 45 ESC and the current level went down to about 7-8 amps! This check was done using my Watts UP meter. The plane gained another 1/2 ounce...up to 10.1 ounces.

12A on the ground - could be 7-8A in the air?

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #29 on:** June 05, 2014, 09:53:37 AM »

Quote from: Dennis Adamisin on June 05, 2014, 09:16:05 AM

12A on the ground - could be 7-8A in the air?

Dennis,
The figures for the amps between the 3 ESC, the P10 and P45 were ground running only. It kinda caught me off guard the big difference. Maybe today I'll replace the rather thin wires on the P10 with something a little larger and check again. I'll let you know. You are right about the difference in ground running and in the air amps usuage.

Dan Bregar · « **Reply #30 on:** June 22, 2014, 07:20:36 PM »

Crist

I think this new fun project is cool ! Waiting to hear how it flies.

Dan

Dan Bregar · « **Reply #31 on:** August 18, 2014, 08:02:21 PM »

Hi Crist

Have you had a chance to fly this 1/2A sheet wing beauty yet ?

Dan

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #32 on:** August 18, 2014, 09:21:22 PM »

Quote from: Dan Bregar on August 18, 2014, 08:02:21 PM

Hi Crist

Have you had a chance to fly this 1/2A sheet wing beauty yet ?

Dan

Yeah Dan I did. I'm underwhelmed by electric 1/2A! I probably need a higher Kv motor to get the revs up a little higher. I was expecting more but it didn't work out.

Dan Bregar · « **Reply #33 on:** August 19, 2014, 08:32:26 PM »

That is too bad Crist. Sounds like it needs a little more zip. You know how to make it work though, I'm sure. I was thinkin about making one, but was waiting to hear your report. Perhaps in the future you will solve the issues.

Dan

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #34 on:** August 20, 2014, 03:40:11 AM »

Quote from: Dan Bregar on August 19, 2014, 08:32:26 PM

That is too bad Crist. Sounds like it needs a little more zip. You know how to make it work though, I'm sure. I was thinkin about making one, but was waiting to hear your report. Perhaps in the future you will solve the issues.

Dan

Yeah Dan, I'm sure I will. Right now I'm still trying to get settled into the new house. Then on to building the new workshop, then onto models!