Taking the next step with the P51

[akent]

Thanks 19k!!

[19000rpm]

I picked up a 4mm Eflite prop adapter that fits the Turnigy 3542 shaft. The ones I had were too long leaving the spinner way to far out from the cowling. This adapter will allow me to use either the stock spinner or move on to a Dubro spinner.

The 3542 has two different spacings on the mounting holes for the motor mount. Two of them match the P51 motor mount perfectly. Two are closer together. New holes need to be drilled in the stock mount and they may actually overlap into the hole in the center of the mount. This shouldn't be a problem though, since adding a small washer to these mounting bolts will provide plenty of strength for the motor installation.

The MAS 10X7 prop I'll be using for the initial trial runs of the Test Mule needs to reamed out slightly to fit around the treaded area of the Eflite prop adapter.

I'll be measuring wiring for the ESC and wiring up the 40-45 Amp ESC with connectors and Deans for both the ESC and battery pack next.

This beast should be ready for trials fairly soon.

[akent]

Oh, be sure to check out the CNC aluminum spinners at HC!
I bought one for my Ultimate and it is a work of art. They almost give these away, too.
Kent

[19000rpm]

Mar 24, 2010 20:35:41 GMT -6 akent said:

Oh, be sure to check out the CNC aluminum spinners at HC!
I bought one for my Ultimate and it is a work of art. They almost give these away, too.
Kent

I'll look at those spinners for the "Shiny" one. The Test Mule will have the stock spinner.

I got the Battery, ESC and motor wired up thanks to the nasty weather.

My @#$$%%^^ Weller pen tip soldering pen is not working right. The tip is loose in the holder and there is no way to make it fit right. It gets hot and then cold GGRRRRRRRRRR. It took over an hour to do 15 mins work.

[19000rpm]

Here's the finished mule. Everything fit perfectly now we'll hope for the wind to come down for the maiden.



Slightly beat up, but she should be OK as the Mule.

2200 25C pack and 40A ESC trade places with the stock 1500 20C and 30A ESC (Actually the battery ended up almost to the front of the hatch opening to get the right CG. That required cutting the hump off of the hatch under the cockpit and cutting some foam out where the battery now rests to allow the hatch to fit back on. The ESC now slides in vertically towards the nose on the port side.)





The Turnigy 3542 and Eflite 4mm adapter are a perfect fit for the motor. The motor bolts up to the stock motor mount (Two holes line up and I added two holes). The total length of the motor and collet fit the stock cowl perfectly. The back of the spinner needed to reamed out slightly for the adapter to fit through. I used the Eflite spinner to tighten the prop on and then placed the stock cone spinner tip on over that.

A comparison of the two power systems. The Turnigy on the left and the modified one I've been flying for 8 months.

[19000rpm]

After doing a bench test I flew the mule today.

I took off into about a 12mph wind with gusts up to 25 or so. It lifted off quickly at about 1/2 throttle.

I made two fast 1/8 mile circuits slowing down, down wind, and accelerating into the wind.

Third time around going into the wind the motor quit. I dead sticked it into a little gully and couldn't really see it land.

When I got to the plane both wings were broken. I checked the 6100 Rx and there was no brown out. WTH

After checking everything out I was able to recreate the motor stopping. It kind of clicked like an out of time motor or bad ESC and then just stopped.

I put the old 480 in it with the MAS prop, 25C and 40 ESC and took it out for a spin. I could tell it was a bit slower than the 3542, but it was still faster than the previous set up.

I flew it for about 3 mins and then brought it around for a landing and temp check. I undershot my landing area because of the gusting wind and my unfamiliarity with the planes glide characteristics at the current weight. It came to a stop in some taller grass.

When I looked it over I noticed one of the landing gears had broken. I'd never seen a wire gear break before.

All's back together again. I'm wondering what happened to the 3542. The whole point to this exercise was to find a faster and cheaper power combo for the new "Shiny" one so I'm a little disappointed at the moment.

[akent]

With my E-flite 40 amp ESC, it would just stop when running the 0.10 motor in my Ultimate. Just die. No warning or anything. The wattmeter showed right at a 40 amp draw at full throttle with the 12x6 prop.

Well, I replaced that POS with a Hobbywing 40 amp. No more problems.

It is very odd that you had that thing die on you, too.
I wonder why that happened?

Bummer deal, but it does sound like you have everything happy again!

Best,
Kent

[akent]

Oh, and THANK YOU FOR PICTURES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HEY EVERYONE, 19k HAS PICTURES NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[19000rpm]

Mar 31, 2010 20:58:16 GMT -6 akent said:

Oh, and THANK YOU FOR PICTURES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HEY EVERYONE, 19k HAS PICTURES NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL, my wife is shocked too I'm taking pictures now.

[19000rpm]

Mar 31, 2010 20:56:44 GMT -6 akent said:

With my E-flite 40 amp ESC, it would just stop when running the 0.10 motor in my Ultimate. Just die. No warning or anything. The wattmeter showed right at a 40 amp draw at full throttle with the 12x6 prop.

Well, I replaced that POS with a Hobbywing 40 amp. No more problems.

It is very odd that you had that thing die on you, too.
I wonder why that happened?

Bummer deal, but it does sound like you have everything happy again!

Best,
Kent

The ESC "seems" to be OK but I won't fully trust it, even though I did fly with it again with the 480PKZ motor with no incident, until I do more static tests.

I ordered the Exceed Monster 10 last evening as a replacement. It's another bolt on motor that "should" work well in the new 'stang and my "Super Corsair" I'll build after the "Shiny" one.
www.hobbypartz.com/monsterpower-10--1100kv--brushless-motor.html

[akent]

Hey 19k, I just reread your earlier post.

"It kind of clicked like an out of time motor or bad ESC and then just stopped."

That is exactly what my HXT 1500kv motor did with the Turnigy ESC. With that combo, the timing was too low! It would actually kind of squeal before it stopped. I turned the ESC timing up to 'mid' or 15 degrees and it runs perfectly now.

That might be worth a look, maybe?

You can actually see that happen in my first F22 video. It squeals, stops and falls to the ground upon launch.
Kent

[19000rpm]

Apr 1, 2010 18:48:03 GMT -6 akent said:

Hey 19k, I just reread your earlier post.

"It kind of clicked like an out of time motor or bad ESC and then just stopped."

That is exactly what my HXT 1500kv motor did with the Turnigy ESC. With that combo, the timing was too low! It would actually kind of squeal before it stopped. I turned the ESC timing up to 'mid' or 15 degrees and it runs perfectly now.

That might be worth a look, maybe?

You can actually see that happen in my first F22 video. It squeals, stops and falls to the ground upon launch.
Kent

I'll check into that Kent. It's more apt to be an ESC issue than the motor. Just because it worked on 2 other motors doesn't mean the timing is right fot the Turnigy. BTW it's a TowerPro ESC that is designed for a heli. The timing is on low. I left the startup on soft. I really liked that. More realistic.

I put the Mule back as previously modified with the 30A ESC, a new Rhino 1550 20C lipo and 9.5X7.5 prop. It's not as fast, but I really like how she flies with the lighter motor and battery.

I'll test the new Monster 10 with the TP ESC, but may go with the lighter 1550 battery to keep the AUW down.

[19000rpm]

I went through the whole programming sequence on the Tower Pro 40A ESC with the Turnigy C3542 motor. The motor has the jitters and shakes on all timing settings. I tried the ESC again with the PKZ motor and it has no jitters and shakes except a very minor one on low throttle, on both low and medium timing, and none on high timing.

After conferring with Ray on the phone we've come to the conclusion it is definitely a problem with the Turnigy motor and not the ESC.

Not good news, but at least a resolution.

I'm looking forward to testing the Monster 10 in a few days. If it works out; I'll order at least 3 more for each one of the P51's and the Corsairs.

[akent]

I look forward to hearing about those tests!

My P-51 is on standby, waiting for your results!

Just like the real one, when it was waiting for the Rolls Royce upgrade results for the Allison upgrade!

Oh yeah, now the Rolls power will at a full throttle take off torque roll the P-51!
I used to have a video of an upgraded P-51, where the pilot took off mildly, nailed it at maybe 300 feet up and it torque rolled on him. He almost lost it.
Kent

[Solitaire]

Didn't the P-51 use the Merlin engine, or is that made by Rolls Royce?
I guess I could Google it, but I'm being lazy.