Planning e-conversion for 33% extra

[jbm]

I'm wanting to convert my existing Aeroworks extra 260 to an electric setup. Many reasons why, and I know that it'll not be a cheap affair... It has a DA-85 on a canister right now, and for the way I fly I've actually got an excess of power - full throttle is so rare that I'm sure I don't need to match the DA 100% for grunt. I'm still not confident of my 3d skills to the extent that I throw my only 33% plane around that way, so in the mean time I'm happy as long as it has strong vertical rather than insane power.

I've been looking at a setup using a Hacker A80-8 or A80-10, Master Spin 170 and 12s5000, 25c lipos.... but as I'd be buying from scratch for the motor, ESC and lipos, I'm open to anyone's advice or experience. I've searched a hell of a lot online, and not really got the reassurance I'm after that I'm not blowing cash on the wrong gear.

[3DHobbyShop]

If you go A80, definitely the -10. The -8 on 12S limits you to a 24" prop or so. The -10 gets you into the right prop size.

[jbm]

I'm using a 26x10 wood prop on my da85 - I used it for break in, then went back to it as i liked the way it behaved... I haven't been able to find out any data for the A80-10 above a 24x12... If I can turn the same size prop at the same rpm, I'll feel like I'm home free on the performance, given that I'm sure the electric setup will pan out a little heavier.

Anyone else out there using an A80 on a 33% plane?

[jbm]

I managed to have a conversation with the guys at hacker, who have now confused me even further They think I definitely need the A100, and that whether I go for the 80 or the 100, I should run 6s2p for 8000 to 10000 mah... I'd hoped to go with the A80 and more like 6s1p, 4200mah. Their line of thought seems to add up to about 3.5lb more than mine, which feels wrong to me.

Doing all my sums for the weight, the theory looks like this:

Current DA-85 setup - 24.5 lb (fuelled up, to make it fair)
A80 / 6s1p 4200 - 23.5 lb
A100 / 6s2p 8400 - 27 lb

I guess my remaining question is whether I'm asking too much current of the theoretical two 6s4200 packs, and whether my flight times will be stupidly short...

[rojos]

JBM

I've been flying an A80-8 on 10S 5000 mah TP Pro Lite x 2 (10000 total) on an H9 Suckoi. Plenty of power and easy 6-7 minutes with plenty of spare for a go around. I think I'm in th 24 lb range if I remember correctly from a year ago when I first started flying it. I don't think you need a 12S setup but it will give more power. I've used several props including Vess 26 B/C, Mezlick 26x12, and Menz 26x12. All perform well, I like the Vess the best all around.

Steve Rojecki
Team JR
Team Hacker

[gdryer]

I Converted the 33% Hangar 9 Sukhoi to electric.

HXT 80-100-130 motor ($150.00 + $25.00 for bearings)
Castle 110 HV speed controller ($230.00
Xoar 27x10 propeller
4- 6S Zippy 4000 (20C) 12S-2P ($75.00 x 4 = $300.00)
39 lbs 11 oz thrust
104.5 Amps
4463 Watts

I changed to a Xoar 27x12 for better vertical.
I fly IMAC with this plane.

Thread on RC Groups:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=933906

[jbm]

Reading your RC groups thread I'm very interested in the HXT / castle setup you have. I'd heard bad things about the bearings in that motor, but if they're so easy to upgrade/replace then its not a big deal. Is the ESC happy, operating so close to its max. rated current?

In an ideal world I'd prefer to use two packs per flight, as my aeroworks kit is not the very lightest thing around. Theory dictates that 12s1p 5000mah rated 25c continuous should cover the ~100amp load OK - is that wishful thinking though?

[gdryer]

The bearing change in the HXT was straight forward and took only about a half an hour. Considering the cost of the motor I did not mind.

I needed the 8000 Mah wide in order to have enough battery for IMAC so the Zippy 4000s were a good choice. These batteries are also very light (585g). Using the 25C 5000s would be nice and light expect that you are likely to get less than 8 minute flights.

I don't think that I am pushiing the Castle 110 HV ESC too hard as it comes down cold. Also the batteries only get slightly warm. Hobby City now has a new K-Force 120 Amp ESC for $190.00. I am hearing great things about this controller.

[jbm]

Thanks for all your advice I reckon I'm going to give the budget motor option a go - a friend of mine knows bearing technology inside out, so I'll canvas his opinion when I choose the replacements. Sub 8-minute flights is not a problem for me, I'm strictly a sport flyer and I find I prefer to do lots of short flights rather than fewer long ones anyway... I tend to go to the field with a bunch of stuff from the gasser down to foamy jets, gliders etc etc anyway!

[jbm]

Ok, so planning this conversion is making my head spin a little, but I think I'm getting there...

Hacker A80-10
Castle HV-110
12s1p 5000mah Zippy Flightmax 30c (2 x 5000 packs)

and a prop that gives me a 100A draw... I'm in the dark here though 26x10, 27x10 maybe?


always with the questions lol.

[Kevin K]

	Quote: Originally Posted by jbm
	Ok, so planning this conversion is making my head spin a little, but I think I'm getting there... Hacker A80-10 Castle HV-110 12s1p 5000mah Zippy Flightmax 30c (2 x 5000 packs) and a prop that gives me a 100A draw... I'm in the dark here though 26x10, 27x10 maybe? always with the questions lol.

I'm running a Hacker A80-10/Spin 170 in a Hanger 9 33% Cap 232 conversion. 12 flights so far with 12s1p 5000ma Zippy Flightmax 30c packs. I'm using a Xoar 25 x12(gas) prop. 6-7 min flights(mostly big IMAC pattern stuff) and I'm putting 3500-4000ma back into the packs. So, 7 minutes pattern is about it with these packs. Still a very good value at around $250(shipped) per flight pack investment. Time will tell how they hold up.

My prop may be a problem... Spin box says only 80-85 amps max current, volts holding at 42.6v. So only around 3500 watts for a 22-23 pound plane. Still vertical is very good. One of the guys at Aero Model says I need an E prop because the thick gas props don't grab well in the midrange. Was going to try a Xoar 25 x 12 or 26 x 10 electric and see what happens. I hate drilling DA 50 bolt holes in $40 props on an experimental basis. Anyone running a 26" Xoar E on 12s1p Zippy's on the A80-10? Of course I don't want to fry the batteries. They come down only warm now. Motor is not even breaking a sweat.

Maybe Ben or Josh know how to prop these things : )

Kevin

[lazyboyflyer]

	Quote: Originally Posted by jbm
	Ok, so planning this conversion is making my head spin a little, but I think I'm getting there... Hacker A80-10 Castle HV-110 12s1p 5000mah Zippy Flightmax 30c (2 x 5000 packs) and a prop that gives me a 100A draw... I'm in the dark here though 26x10, 27x10 maybe? always with the questions lol.

I don't think the Castle HV-110 will work with the Hacker A80-10 motor, I think you'll need a Jeti/Hacker spin 170 with that motor. It's better to have the right size speed controller.

[jbm]

Got ya on the ESC

I'm still back and forth in my mind between the Hacker and a cheaper setup... I guess I need to just grow a pair and get on with it LOL.

I'll keep you all posted.

[Mike Anderson]

Here's some motor calc's to get you thinking about this a bit more. I selected these motors using these criteria:

• Keep prop speed below 6500 for low noise (cell count)
• Static current selected so that peak efficiency current is at 1/3 throttle
• Pack capacity selected for duration = ~10 minutes at 2/3 throttle
• Only consider 10 to 12 S packs

It's hard to beat the A60 18L on 12S . . .

[jbm]

Hey Mike,

Thanks for posting that dude Glad I'm not the only one who makes spreadsheets of this kind of stuff lol!

Your prop sizes are smaller than I was expecting; maybe I'm thinking wrong on that front... I assume you went with the A60 18L setup for the Suk then? How does the real world compare to the calculations? CG might be harder to attain with such a light motor I guess.

I'm also surprised how well the cheap HXT motor does on your calculations. Has anyone had experience with the EMP branded motor that looks to be very similar to it?