Eclipse conversion to electric

[Steve Kessler]

Jim,

Ron Barr, a member FAI pilot flew my electric Eclipse.  He too was
impressed on how slow and true the plane flies.  Except for timing issues,
this plane flies every bit as good as my Smaragd-z.  Ron now flies the
Partner and felt he could be competitive with the Eclipses.  I also have a
glow Eclipse.  Right now they still exhibit almost the same performance. 
The glow Eclipse flies much faster and doesn't slow down in the down lines
as much.  I tend to fly the Masters Pattern at warp speed, so I am more
used to the glow performance.  What impresses me the most on the electric
Eclipse is that I seem to have time to think what is the next maneuver and
actually set up for it.  Over time I hope to convert my flying style to
more slow and steady.  In RC Universe there is a thread in the pattern
flying forum titled Electrified Partner.  Troy Neuman flew TonyF's
Partner.  He articulated the different flying characteristics very well.

Regards,

Steve

> From what I saw it should be as good as anything from Europe.
>
> Don
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: JOddino
>   To: discussion at nsrca.org
>   Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 3:56 PM
>   Subject: Re: Eclipse conversion to electric
>
>
>   The Eclipse looks like it might be an ideal airplane to build as an
> electric.  I was wondering how well it flies compared to the other top
> pattern planes of the day?  As good as the stuff coming from Europe?
> Starting to think about my next project.  Any suggestions would be
> appreciated.
>   Jim
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     From: Steve & Cindy Kessler
>     To: discussion at nsrca.org
>     Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 6:41 AM
>     Subject: Eclipse conversion to electric
>
>
>     I have converted one of my Eclipses to electric.  There is a full
> report in RC universe in the pattern section under Eclipse conversion
> to electric
> http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Eclipse_conversion_to_electric/m_1936912/tm.htm
>
>     I have been able to get another five flights on the electric Eclipse.
> This time I had the Hacker C50 14XL 6.7:1 motor and the APC E22-12
> prop. I am impressed on how well it flies even in a moderate wind
> (some 15 mph). It has plenty of vertical for the Masters pattern.
>
>     I did experience a battery failure. The air temperature was 93F. The
> maximum motor temperature I measured was 132F after landing. The
> batteries never got hot. The first picture shows that cells second
> from the end failed. I discussed the situation with Thunder power.
> They are replacing the TP6000 5s3p packs under warranty. They have had
> some failures in these packs. Mostly with the packs installed in
> pattern planes. Apparently the cells are not getting enough cooling. I
> have since  revised support plates with plenty of cooling holes. I
> have also ducted all of my air across the motor and directly to the
> batteries. I hope to get some more test flights next weekend. I still
> hope to bring the plane to the Nats. Just need some more practice.
>
>     The original conversion weighed in at 11#-6oz. That means I gained
> exactly one pound, one ounce in the conversion. I now have the plane
> below 11# by 1 to 2 oz. Here is what I had to do:
>
>     First I removed the wheel pants and Dave Brown 3" light tires. I also
> carved all excess material from the Bolly CF landing gear. I will be
> using the central hobbies aluminum axels and MK 55mm tires. This saved
> some 5oz.
>
>     Second I removed the 1600ma NiMH receiver battery and installed a
> 770ma NiMH battery. This saved 2.1 oz.
>
>     Third I removed all excess material from the fuselage. You don't need
> wide flanges on an electric motor. There is almost no vibration in the
> air frame.
>
>     There is some two more ounces of weight savings I could do such as
> using the new JR770 pcm-s credit card mini receiver and using the mid
> size aileron servos. This is more expensive and is not necessary.
>
>     All in all, a glow conversion to electric can come in under 11#.  It
> is best to start with a plane weighing in at no more than 10#-4oz.
>
>     I would not hesitate to conseder converting a glow pattern plane to
> electric.
>
>

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