My pleasure Mike..! I have already put in for days off for the Nall..!!! Can't wait..!! Try to stay warm...

Originally Posted by ldhflyguy

I have a question that is kind of related to weight .
I'm just starting to assemble my 40% Decathlon and I'm thinking/planning ahead.
Was it difficult to balance the plane at it's CG?
I.E. Where did you put your batteries, etc.? Did you have to add weight anywhere? Did you run mufflers or cans? Etc.?

Hello,
Mine balanced very well with my Torch 110 with in cowl mufflers, two A123 2s 2600 mah batteries located just in front of the door, one 4.8v 2000mah NIMH battery for ignition located just behing the fuel tank on the tank's floor. The light's system is located just in front of the rudder servo's tray and it has a Lipo 3s 2500 mah battery located on the dash panel area.
I hope it can help you.
Take care.

Hey Bob and Marcelo,
Thanks for answering my questions about balancing the Decathlon.


Larry

sounds like a great flyin plane my dad wants to get one fore tow plane!

Hi Guys, How did you attach your engine box cover plate? If I epoxy and screw it down, I lose access to whatevers directly behind the firewall. Make some openings in the cover plate!!

Originally Posted by higharc

Hi Guys, How did you attach your engine box cover plate? If I epoxy and screw it down, I lose access to whatevers directly behind the firewall. Make some openings in the cover plate!!

screwed into place .........................................

Thanks

Originally Posted by higharc

Hi Guys, How did you attach your engine box cover plate? If I epoxy and screw it down, I lose access to whatevers directly behind the firewall. Make some openings in the cover plate!!

F.W.I.W.
I also plan to only screw down the top cover. I'll add some 3/8" square pine along side the vertical sides of the motor box for the screws to go into.

Also, I'm mounting all my batteries in front of the fuel tank, just in case the plane would have come out tail heavy with the batteries mounted the intended way.

Also, I created a removable plywood tray with my smoke tank, pump, and battery to be located in the cannister tunnel. There is a lot of good space down there, if you don't run cans!

Originally Posted by flying skunks

screwed into place .........................................

All of my giants are done this way! #4 screws 1/2" long.

After picturing fully stretching out my arms and trying to balance this thing with two fingers, I decided to go another way. I added two ¼” aluminum pins and two hardwood blocks for reinforcement to aide me when it’s time to balance out. With a couple of holes in the wing roots, I can now safetly hang the plane at it’s CG.

Originally Posted by ldhflyguy

F.W.I.W.
I also plan to only screw down the top cover. I'll add some 3/8" square pine along side the vertical sides of the motor box for the screws to go into.

Also, I'm mounting all my batteries in front of the fuel tank, just in case the plane would have come out tail heavy with the batteries mounted the intended way.

Also, I created a removable plywood tray with my smoke tank, pump, and battery to be located in the cannister tunnel. There is a lot of good space down there, if you don't run cans!

Mine balanced perfectly with the batteries velcroed into the last two slots of the tunnel right behind the tank. Note: I'm running a DA120 with cans...wish I had the space in the tunnel for the smoke system, but the CG remains fine with it in the cabin...

Originally Posted by higharc

After picturing fully stretching out my arms and trying to balance this thing with two fingers, I decided to go another way. I added two ¼” aluminum pins and two hardwood blocks for reinforcement to aide me when it’s time to balance out. With a couple of holes in the wing roots, I can now safetly hang the plane at it’s CG.

Brilliant!
So you will tie a substantial string around each aluminum pin between the wing root and fuselage?? And, fasten the string to something that can support the plane off the floor.

I would have used two 1" dowel rods inserted into a 2x10 board. The board sits on the floor and the holes in the board will be spaced a little further than the fuselage width at the point of balance. The dowels are rounded and the wing area where the dowel will be positioned (CG) will be protected by a flexible sheet of plywood taped into position.

I like your idea better. It seems like a simpler way to get the job done.

Wait!!!! You've given me another idea:
How about drilling the two holes as you have done? Then insert a single length of aluminum tube (or maybe a steel piano wire) across the inside of the fuselage reaching from hole to hole. The tube/wire will only be there for the balancing procedure. I may try that.

Thanks for sharing

Originally Posted by rrembert

Mine balanced perfectly with the batteries velcroed into the last two slots of the tunnel right behind the tank. Note: I'm running a DA120 with cans...wish I had the space in the tunnel for the smoke system, but the CG remains fine with it in the cabin...

And, I wish I had the 120 with cans.

Economics told me I have to use an old 3W100 and regular muffs. They are left over from a mistake a made this past summer. I'm kinda hoping my plane turns out a little under powered. That will give me the excuse I need to get a DA 120 later this year when I have some more $$$.

I'm also looking for an excuse to get the 47% Decathlon for next year.

Well after reading this thread I am gonna order my 40% decathlon in march.Just waiting for the right color to come in. What I need to know is what is the header drop needed for this plane?I will be running canisters. I also have a new DLE-111 I bought me for a X-Mas gift ready for this bird. Thanks pilots, S Mullis

Originally Posted by ldhflyguy

Brilliant!
So you will tie a substantial string around each aluminum pin between the wing root and fuselage?? And, fasten the string to something that can support the plane off the floor.

I would have used two 1" dowel rods inserted into a 2x10 board. The board sits on the floor and the holes in the board will be spaced a little further than the fuselage width at the point of balance. The dowels are rounded and the wing area where the dowel will be positioned (CG) will be protected by a flexible sheet of plywood taped into position.

I like your idea better. It seems like a simpler way to get the job done.

Wait!!!! You've given me another idea:
How about drilling the two holes as you have done? Then insert a single length of aluminum tube (or maybe a steel piano wire) across the inside of the fuselage reaching from hole to hole. The tube/wire will only be there for the balancing procedure. I may try that.

Thanks for sharing

I can hang my plane in my garage from beams that support overhead shelving with wire, catgut, or anything that can support the weight, hang just high enough off the floor to adjust if necessary.

It's also not a bad idea to brush a coat of alcohol thinned epoxy onto the exterior and interior of the motor box. When dry permanently mount of engine.