Operation Triple Threat and Ringmaster mods

[Sean McEntee]

I am M-29 (or so) days from yet another business trip to CENTCOM!

The location that I will be in is inherently safe enough for me to finally fly some CL whilst on deployment.  Up until now that has not been feasible, besides the security issues, due to lack of availability of fuel options.  The only possibility used to be the repurposing of "HEET", a methanol avgas additive that when mixed up with some castor MIGHT have got an engine to run.  That possibility disappeared with UAS finally got with the times and went to electronic fuel injection and the need to carry carb icing inhibitors went away.

The ever-increasing use of electrics have breathed new life into those plans.  I currently have a Brodak Ringmaster ARF enroute with Brodak's electric bundle.  I plan on doing some work on it prior to my departure, box it up and ship it to myself. I have also made provisions to ship the batteries in our HAZMAT container;  doctored the shipping paperwork so that my model li-pos will "piggyback" on some other aircraft lithium batteries...its easy when you're the Unit Movement Operations NCOIC!   The goal: log some serious flights on Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon weekend!!  Once my deployment concludes, the plan is to simply (and carefully!) cut the model up so that it can fit back in the shipping container and will be reassembled once it gets back to the states.  Its fate from there is TBD.

In addition to this, I am also bring a Parkzone Ultra Micro T-28 Trojan.  This is a REALLY good flying little model.  Can do some basic aerobatics but also has very good slow speed characteristics.  This will be the third one I've taken on deployment with me (The other two didn't survive due to advance wear from the sandy/dusty environment) and are really fun little airplanes.   Finally, I'm bringing enough balsa, rubber, tools and equipment to do some in-hanger indoor Free Flight like I did last trip.  It will be kind of exciting to participate in all three aeromodeling disciplines at once!

The question I have for the electro-heads out there:  My initial concern for the electric ringmaster is the potential for damage to the motor by all of the blowing sand and dust in that part of the world.  I've thought of adding some type of shroud or baffle to the nose to try to shield the motor, but am also considering degraded cooling.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be much appreciated!   

[Tim Wescott]

OK.  I'm guessing here, because my answer to sand and grit is to live in the rainy Willamette Valley, where all the sand and grit has Himalayan blackberry vines coming out of it, choking out the native blackberries and making feral blackberries to feed the starlings so they can choke out the native birds and poop out Himalayan blackberry seeds on other sand and grit in the vicinity.  (I have nothing against starlings or Himalayan blackberries -- I just liked the story.  Actually, "wild" blackberry jam is pretty good, if you don't mind the humongous seeds.  Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie would probably be good, too, except that starlings are migratory, and fish & game people will cast a jaundiced eye on creative wildlife management techniques).

At any rate.

I think that if the motor in question uses shielded bearings then things are probably as good as they're going to get.  If you have the time, tear the motor down, make sure it's got the right kind of bearings, and make sure that all the oil and grease is inside the bearings and not outside -- because nothing attracts and holds dust like something oily.

If you think you'll have the time and can borrow the equipment, take some extra bearings and replace as necessary.  Do a search on YouTube for "replace outrunner bearings" or some such.  If you're mechanically inclined enough to do the job all will be clear.  If you're not, then stay tuned for option B.

If that's too much of a hassle, just bring a few extra motors (I assume this is within your budget: there've been times for me when "a few" was "too many").  I kinda like buying cheap Chinese stuff for harsh environments or other general misuse, at least if no lives depend on it working right.  Use a motor up, s**t can it or save it for when you're stateside, put a new one in, and have more fun.

If you have access to compressed air, blowing the motor out is probably a good idea.  If you shoot air through it and you get a puff of dust, you'll know it's a good idea.  If it's a decently built motor you probably can't hurt it; if it's cheap Chinese then the wires may not be dressed well inside -- peer inside as best as you can, then use your judgment.  If you're using an ESC with a heat sink then inspect that for dust and blow it out, too, as necessary.  Or wipe it off if dust is accumulating -- dust insulates, after all, and 'lectronics don't like getting hot.

When cleaning the motor you may notice that you can hold it by the stator and make it spin by blowing air on it.  It'll go really fast.  Resist the temptation.  It can't be good for the bearings.

[dave siegler]

there is so much air flowing through it, get a few cheap motors as spares.  Blow it out with compressed air if you get a dirt nap.   


Also since you like the ultra micro t28, back some foamboard and extra balsa.  There are some nice nano DLG (HLG size) you can build or foam rc airplanes for that RC gear. 

[Ron Cribbs]

I wish I had thought that far ahead while deployed. All I managed to get over there was my guitar that I snuck onto our equipment pallet.

Stay safe man. Thanks for your service buddy.

Ron

[RknRusty]

...When cleaning the motor you may notice that you can hold it by the stator and make it spin by blowing air on it.  It'll go really fast.  Resist the temptation.  It can't be good for the bearings.

Good point. It's so fun to do it's hard to resist. I remember doing it to muffin fans back in my industrial days.