As i couldn't find many build forums on the web, i though i would share mine......
Unboxing (after 7 weeks of waiting, it finally arrived)
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Box came damaged, but luckily no marks or dents in the plane. Was dissapointed though that it was not double boxed.
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Ran out of time yesterday to inspect further so i'll post more later of the parts box and critique the plane.
The fancy CD manual is no better that the usual crappy manuals sent with HK planes. (Its just a scanned copy of the manual anyway)
How many cells you gonna run it on?
The G46 on 5S will pull the wings off it mate..... yeeeeehaaaa.
I run a 13 x8 prop on my PC9 that draws just over 70 amps.
With the Decathalon I recon a 12 x 10 or 12 x 9 would be a tractor and keep the amps respectable.
(23-11-2011, 05:31 PM)kizza42 Wrote: [ -> ]How many cells you gonna run it on?
5S probably 3600-4000mah
(23-11-2011, 06:57 PM)gbanger Wrote: [ -> ]The G46 on 5S will pull the wings off it mate..... yeeeeehaaaa.
I run a 13 x8 prop on my PC9 that draws just over 70 amps.
With the Decathalon I recon a 12 x 10 or 12 x 9 would be a tractor and keep the amps respectable.
The stats show the G60 with a 14x10 pulling 38A @ 2200g thrust compared to a G46 with same prop pulling 46A @ 2450g thrust, both on 5S.
Not looking for a racer, but something with a bit of spark when needed!
Plane may also carry some additional weight like GoPro, pilot and could be used as a tow-plane for the gliders.
Go for a 3 blade prop, will look cooler
(23-11-2011, 11:50 PM)kizza42 Wrote: [ -> ]Go for a 3 blade prop, will look cooler
That's the preference, where's best to get a 3-blade prop?
The cut out being off centre and to the right is standard on any good quality airframe Pete.
It applies thrust down and to the right to compensate for throttle and torque. You will notice when you bolt on the motor that the centre of the prop will almost be dead centre of the cowl.
Lookin'n very nice !!
I reckon that motor, propped right, on 5S is probably going to have enough grunt to pull it vertical!!
I cant wait to see it fly!! It should look very nice in the air
Hmm, I'm a bit worried Pete - I don't know much about this plane, but for something which has the geometry of a Decathlon and a 5-foot wingspan I wouldn't try and take off with something delivering only 460 Watts.
(09-12-2011, 09:54 PM)popeyepete Wrote: [ -> ]Installing the servos is easy
Stiffening the standard motor mount
Installing the G60 motor and Plush 60a esc
Still worried that mount may be still weak at the motor fixing point.
Almost finished, dummy assembly
Tested motor with 14x10 3 blade MAS prop on 4S
31amps - 460watts.
Want to run this on 5S but awaiting delivery of batteries.
I have a 5s Lipo 3000ma lightmax 20c lipo if you want borrow to maiden on 5s rather than 4s, Possibly going to Area 51 Tommorow morning for an hour or two max, or you can pick up if you want.
P.s epoxy to help strengthen motor mount area
Steve
It needs to swing a bigger prop if you run it on 4S you need to be close to maxing out the ESC at full peg on the ground. It may well draw more current with that same prop on 5S tho'
The motor won't be the weak link in this one
(10-12-2011, 07:36 PM)yarrumevets Wrote: [ -> ]Hmm, I'm a bit worried Pete - I don't know much about this plane, but for something which has the geometry of a Decathlon and a 5-foot wingspan I wouldn't try and take off with something delivering only 460 Watts.
The aim is to get around 6-700 watts maybe 8. I will be running on 5S, just waiting on delivery of batteries.
Total flying weight is 6.57lbs so looking for 100watts+ per pound.
yes more watts always more watts.. hehe :P
(09-12-2011, 09:54 PM)popeyepete Wrote: [ -> ]Tested motor with 14x10 3 blade MAS prop on 4S
31amps - 460watts.
Want to run this on 5S but awaiting delivery of batteries.
OK so i tested the G60 500kv on 6S running 14x10 3-blade MAS prop
51amps - 1120watts WOW.
So i'm settling with 5S 5000mah
That's more like it
(12-12-2011, 07:11 PM)popeyepete Wrote: [ -> ] (09-12-2011, 09:54 PM)popeyepete Wrote: [ -> ]Tested motor with 14x10 3 blade MAS prop on 4S
31amps - 460watts.
Want to run this on 5S but awaiting delivery of batteries.
OK so i tested the G60 500kv on 6S running 14x10 3-blade MAS prop
51amps - 1120watts WOW.
So i'm settling with 5S 5000mah
Error on prop size, its a 14x7 not 14x10.
It certainly had enough power to haul it around the sky today!!
That was a nice piece of flying despite of the added difficulty of having really large control throws on elevator and having the C of G a little far back.
Excellent landing too !!
Nicely put together and Well done!!
(17-12-2011, 10:03 PM)secant0give Wrote: [ -> ]It certainly had enough power to haul it around the sky today!!
That was a nice piece of flying despite of the added difficulty of having really large control throws on elevator and having the C of G a little far back.
Excellent landing too !!
Nicely put together and Well done!!
Thanks Jason, i was an interesting first flight and some minor adjustments to fix, but i'm really happy with the plane and look forward to getting it back in the air again.
I did find however that the wing struts or braces are poorly attached with just CA material being the flexible fixing attachment. Only after one flight, they came loose and easily came apart.
Kev I could not get that link to work correctly.
Did you send it via your phone?
Congratulations Pete!
Could certainly see that the elevator throws were making things interesting (especially at 21seconds in!).
Are you going to log a maiden flight report? If someone else gets the same model, they'll find it invaluable.
yeah sorry about that i was busy at work and yeah sent from phone, sorry its a bad vid but i thought its better than nothing and just had my phone on me at the time, in my experience id rather someone throw a camera at my maiden than not at all cause as we all know some dont make it past the first flight
congrats on the build pete its worked out great and she was really pretty down at the field i love it would be a nice one to have on aus day!
