TESTING THE FOCAL PRICE 2700 KV MOTOR

Hi everyone -

Just got back from the field doing some great testing on a new motor (new for me anyway) on my F18. I was testing the Focal Price 2700 Kv motor that Jay (Boxermad84) has been using for a while and that Greg (F1wanabe) used with great success on his Mig29 V3 on both 2 and 3S setups.

Here is the link to the motor

http://www.focalprice.com/YO090X/A2212_2700KV_Outrunner_Brushless_Motor_for_Airplane.html

The stats on this motor are that it's max current is 25A, so I left the Turnigy Plush 30A ESC in the plane that I had been using with the MJV3.

The numbers from the wattmeter -
6x3 prop - 28A/304W
6x4 prop - 38A/444W (don't get too excited just yet, more on this later...)

Based on advice from Greg and Jay, I only used EMP props on this motor, I wanted to compare the 6x3 and 6x4 EMP props for performance to see if there was a difference.

So the new numbers for this plane with this new motor are AUW with the 1600 Mah battery, 517 gr/18.24 oz, wing loading 5.5 oz/sq ft, using the number 30 for oz of thrust that Greg mentioned in his Mig 29V3 video for a 3s, my thrust to weight is 1.6:1 (me likey a lot!)

I did shoot some video of the plane on 6x3 and 6x4, it is processing now so should be ready to upload later today.

All I can say is WOW! What a great setup for this plane at this weight, significant increase in speed, punch out power and vertical for only 12 grams gain in weight! Fortunately it was very calm, so I was able to do some high alpha, it flew high alpha like a dream (well, maybe a nightmare, my high alpha skills need a lot of work...)

On the 6x3 prop I was getting good solid 5 minute flights on a 1600 battery, 7:30 on a 2200 (with very little impact on performance with the extra weight), so I am excited to get my 1800 batteries as I think from watching Jay's videos that will be the ideal battery for this motor to get good solid flights and the extra weight will help in the windier conditions. I was able to cruise around comfortably at 50% throttle. When I landed, the motor was a bit warm to the touch, as was the ESC, but nothing abnormal and the battery was cool (my 1600s are 30-40C discharge).

So on the second test, I swapped out for the 6x4 prop. I would have to say noticeably a bit more speed and punch with the 6x4, and still cruising comfortably at half throttle, excellent aerobatics. However, upon landing, the motor was very warm, too warm for my liking as was the ESC. The Turnigy Plush ESC is rated to handle bursts of 40A, so when I saw 38A on the wattmeter, I went ahead anyway, but I was probably pushing the ESC and motor harder than they need to be, and extended use of the 6x4 with my flying style would probably end up in premature burnout of the motor, ESC and/or both.

So, the big winning combination is definitely the 6x3 EMP prop, I loved how this plane handled with this setup! Not that I didn't like it with the MJV3, but my confidence was so much higher knowing I had that extra power at my fingertips for such a small gain in weight, but exceptional gain in performance!

I know Jay and Greg have said this in the past and I second...well I guess third ...their strong recommendation not to use a 6x4 APC on this motor, my feeling after seeing what it did with the 6x4 EMP, the extra agressive bite of the APC prop would burn this motor out pretty quick.

I don't know why I waited so long to try this motor out, but I am very glad I did and given it is $11.89 USD and Focal Price offers worldwide free shipping, I can use a 30A ESC and get that kind of performance, it is a big winner in my books, especially with that much extra power for only a 12 gram/0.42oz gain in weight!

I plan on testing more motors and setups on this plane over the days and weeks to come, but this Focal Price 2700 Kv motor on a 6x3 EMP prop has set the bar pretty high in my humble opinion.

Just for info, the best price I have been able to find on EMP props is from RC Timer, you can get them in bulk packs of 5 for $4.49 http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=218&productname=, but I strongly encourage you to balance them. I will be writing up another report on this thread about the importance of making sure the prop you put on is balanced story http://www.rcpowers.com/community/threads/balancing-a-prop-video.13088/page-2#post-191861

I just installed the RC Timer BC 2212/6 motor in the F18 which I hope to test tomorrow
http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=116&productname=  Some feedback I read on the RC Timer website was that one person got more thrust from a 6x3 EMP prop, 32 oz in fact and 28 oz on a 6x4 APC, so I hope to test the 6x4 APC, and the 6x3 and 6x4 EMPs.  I will still run the Turnigy Plush 30A ESC and 1600 battery for the test to see what I get.  Never used this motor before, so I am excited to see what it can do.

With the new motor, my AUW with a 1600 Mah battery is 518 gr/18.27 oz, so basically the same as with the Focal Price 2700 Kv.

Update on the F22 V3 build, wing plate and fuselage are together, belly plate and bottom fuse on, just waiting for the glue to all dry up, will probably start installing electronics and gluing on the Kf airfoils next.  Will be using 2 RC Timer 9gr metal gear servos for the elevons and 4 plastic gear servos for the ailerons and rudders to save some weight.

Cheers,

Scott