Brushless,esc, power pod set up for Gentle Lady glider.

[mgg1]

I have a Goldberg Gentle Lady glider that has a 78.25" wing and weighs around 25 oz without power.
It has a Norvel .061 engine mounted on a power pod on top of the wing.
This engine gives around 3 to 5 minutes of powered time which enables the plane to get plenty of altitude before running out of fuel.

Since experiencing the cleanliness, convenience, and power of electrics on my Trex 450 and 600 I would like to try brushless electric power on the glider.

Anyone know of a ready made power pod using a brushless motor, esc, power pod set up for a 2100 3s battery?

If not does anyone have any suggestions on what type brushless,size,brand motor, esc and power pod mount, prop holder, prop, using a 2100 3s battery.

[WayneBrown]

AXI 2208 with an 11x4.7 and any 35A esc should yank the hell out of it.
You can check with www.Atlantahobby.com and find an adaptor for an old trex 430L motor and use an older ESC if you happen to have one laying around.
If it won't clear the 11" prop, go down one inch in diameter, and up one inch in pitch: 10x5, 9x6, etc.

[mgg1]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I ordered a prop adapter that will fit the 430L from my Trex 450.
Going to experiment with it and a build a motor mount to fit my current power pod and figure out what prop will work the best for the glider.
Light and with that much power, it might even pull vertical for as far as I can see and hover from the prop like a helicopter.
If it works well I will get a 430XL and another esc for the 450.

[Rick Rotorhead]

How the heck are going to get a 430L to swing an 11 inch prop???????
The Amp draw will be horrendous - unless you know of a good aftermarket gearbox that is...................

[WayneBrown]

Amp draw is UNDER 20A with that prop/motor.
It works, I've put one on a foamie in a pinch.

[Shuttle RG]

Let's see some pics when you get it going!

[Rick Rotorhead]

Wayne - "Amp draw is UNDER 20A with that prop/motor. "

I was going by the Medusa Research 'Motor Calculator'
inputting a Medusa 3400Kv which is close to the 430L, it came up with 88A on an 11x3prop direct drive, i.e. Toast. How did you get away with overproping your 430L. I'm interested cos I have a vintage style motor glider of around 58 inches span and its motor is burned out. I'm planning to try a Medusa 1200Kv with a 7x4 prop direct drive, but if the 430L will work on a big prop i might try that first.......

[WayneBrown]

I dunno, maybe I didn't run WOT long enough to cook it?
the heaviest part of a foamie IS the motor/battery...

[mgg1]

Set my Goldberg Gentle Lady glider up using a direct prop drive using a 5.5x4 prop with a Great Planes 3.175 mm to 5 mm adapter on a 430L motor from a Trex 450.
Made an aluminum adapter plate to mount the motor on my home made 1/2 A power pod.
Using an Align 35 amp ESC.
Using 2 2100 3s lipos in parallel in the nose to balance things out.
25 minute low power run time flight in a 13 mph wind flying it around like a powered plane rather than a glider.
It came back at 11.4 volts with a very cool motor, esc and batteries.
Plenty of power for climb out at a little over 1/2 throttle.
I would recommend using this set or something similar on a glider, works very well.
No mess, more power, quieter.
Very pleased with the performance and being able to turn the motor on and off and vary throttle when needed.

Going to lower the mount down a bit as the thrust center is 1.5 inches higher than the Norvel .061 was mounted as I thought I might have to use a larger diameter prop.
Using more than 3/4 throttle over powers the elevator.

Could not get my old EK Logitrol radio to work with the Align ESC as it was not compatible for some reason.
Been using that radio for around 25 years and it was used when I bought it.
Cost more used then than my DX6 new now.
Will put it in another plane as it is a fine basic radio set.

I got another AR6000 receiver and 2 HS 65 MG servos and used my DX6 transmitter.
The glider became tail heavy with the lighter radio gear and that is why I used 2 2100 3s lipos to balance things out.
Not a bit of problem with limited range and I had it way up and out testing it for 45 minutes.

Got a new 430XL and 35 esc for the Trex 450.
Has a bit more punch than the old 430L.

Picture of motor,esc setup in my gallery link.

[Rick Rotorhead]

mgg1 - you don't mention if your ESC is set to brake. If it isn't, when you glide the prop will 'windmill' and acts as an airbrake, ruining your glide. I found this out with my 'New Timer' the glide to ground time went up by about 30% when I enabled the Otter ESC's brake feature and stopped the prop from turning when on the glide.

[mgg1]

I do not have the ESC set to brake and the prop windmills.
Thanks for the info, will keep the brake function in mind.

Lowered the motor down 1.25" and switched to a 5.0x3 3 blade prop from an old Cox .049 engine.
Can now use full throttle with out over powering the elevator.
The motor runs cooler but still bit on the hot side if full throttle is used.
Still experimenting with props and ordered some smaller and lower pitch ones.
Flew a flight this evening for over 40 minutes in calm wind and came back in at 10.5 volts.