How To Choose Components For A RC Plane Gas Engine To Electric Conversion.
By Carl Baer
Converting A Hangar 9 Arrow Gas Engine To An Electric Motor With Li-Po Battery.
What you should consider before converting your rc airplane gas engine to an electric motor system.
With the changes in rc electric motor technology it is possible to fly ANY size model using rc plane electric motors. The biggest leap in making this possible has been two fold. First we have model airplane electric engines that are powerful enough, not to mention much more efficient, that they rival or even surpass gas/slimers/smokers/nitro hogs, or whatever else you may call rc airplane gas engines.
In fact you can expect to see an increase in the performance of a model airplane in several areas. Your take-off is shorter, climb rate will increase and you can now fly in areas that have noise restrictions.
The debate between the benefits of rc plane electric and gas motors are as controversial as those between pc and Mac users. It will continue for as long as they are both in existence.
Some questions you might be asking before you convert your rc model airplane’s gas engine to an rc electric motor…
How long will the battery allow me to fly? With today’s Lithium Battery technology, you can easily expect 10 minute flights, even in bigger aircraft. The days of overheating the batteries and fire hazards are almost non-existent. There are many add on features that you can now purchase that all but eliminate battery hazards. Such as temperature monitors and voltage indicators.
Here are some questions to ask before you start buying any components. These questions will help determine what components to buy.
1. What is the radio control plane that you are wanting to convert? Is it a trainer, sport plane, 3D etc.. This is important because you will need to determine the electric motor based on your models capabilities, and what you want it to do.
Example: Hangar 9 Arrow with a .40 size gas engine.
Would require an electric rc motor equivalent to a AXI 2826/12 External Rotor Brushless.
This motor would allow this model to perform basic aerobatics with its semi-symmetrical wing.
Specs of the Hangar 9 Arrow
You will need these numbers to help determine the motor, battery, and prop requirements.
- Wingspan: 63 in
- Overall Length: 52.5 in
- Wing Area: 710 sq in
- Flying Weight: 5.7 lb (as a radio controlled gas plane)
- Engine Size: converting a standard .40 size rc gas engine to an rc electric motor.
Now you need to determine what type of batteries you will need. This is based mostly on your budget and time till land variable. In other words, how long do you want to fly for and still get performance.
The most obvious choice is going to be a Lithium Polymer battery, this is the most advanced battery technology available for rc model airplanes. They are also the most expensive. Other older battery technologies are available, such as, lithium ion and nickel metal hydride. They can do the job, but at a weight cost and flying time consideration. So choose carefully.
In the Arrow Example: We will use a 4200 mAh 11.1V Li-Poly Pack. This was determined based on the flight performance we were after, some aerobatics, but mainly stable easy going flying. Nothing too extreme.
As with any gas rc plane conversion to electric (or any electric radio controlled airplane for that matter), you will have to consider an ESC (electronic speed control). This hooks up to the motor, battery, and receiver. You will need to pick one that can handle the required number of battery packs, servos and have programmable features. This will make life easier for you if you pick one that is feature rich. Of all the components, this is one to spend a little more on. You will be glad you did.
For this example, we used a 40 Amp Brushless Controller with Program features. There are lots of manufacturers of ESC’s so take the time to research them.
Prop Selection is an important consideration. You need to be aware that with an electric conversion there is a possibility that your model plane will not have enough clearance when using an electric motor prop. It may need modifications to the landing gear (making them longer) so that the prop has clearance.
For the Arrow example we used an APC 13×10 propeller. Most electric motors now have a table that you can find on their website that will recommend the propeller range to stay within.
One final consideration with rc gas planes converted to electric. You always need to factor in cooling of the battery pack and esc. In fact many modelers, including myself, put the ESC on the outside of the plane, usually I mount it under the engine on the firewall. You also need to make air vents to cool the battery inside the model. Without this, you run the risk of overheating batteries and ESC’s.
If you have any comments or need more help, I would be glad to answer any question you have.
Please post a question Below for the quickest response to your questions. Or you can leave a comment about this article. You can also write just to say hi:). This is one big community and it’s great to get to know other electric radio controlled plane pilots.
Good Luck, and Happy Buying and Flying,
Carl Baer
About Carl Baer
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This rc airplanes article is great!
I could use a little more explanation on the sizes of electric motors: some are 370 or 400 and then jump to .10, .40 . . . what does than means?
I read a whole lotta words that really didn’t offer much technical information about how to work out the formulas for weight and power, No explanation of what the motor numbers mean, how to cross reference them from one brand to another, how to determine which ESC goes whith which motor sizes,. There was no mention of how to select a powerplant for 3D aerobatics as opposed to sport flying. I don’t know if this guy really kows what he is talking about or not but I didn’t get much from this offering..
thanks for your comments, if you would like a specific topic about electric motors and selection, I will put up a post about it. Remember that the articles are not about specific calculations and formulas, but are about selecting components and choosing to switch to an electric powerplant. Usually this is motivated by economical factors or their flying field has been closed due to a sub-division moving in.
Again, let me know what topic you want covered and I will be happy to help. Keep the comments coming.
I have a goldberg anniversary cub I want to make electric. It was built for gas ans so is heavier than the local electric guys would like (they like to take out structure from their gas to electric convrersions. Anyway. What electric motor and gearbox would be a drop in replacement for a Saito 80 4 cycle??
hi
tanks for halping
i need to much a motor for 5s 5000 18.5 lipo battary + 80a esc
avi
I will get that information to you as soon as possible, thanks for the question.
what is the motor for the alfa 40 trainer to converting and the esc and battery I have the kit and i need the right stuff.
Hi i have a max60 gas powered in a 3d sports plane. Could u tell me what size electric motor i should get to mach this
and speed controller and lipo battery.
Also is there a web site to go to showing conversions from gas power to electric..
Thanks..
I am wanting to convert an old Aeromaster biplane to electric and I am building a goldberg super chipmunk kit I purchased 29 yrs ago and want to make it electric and I need the engine ,esc and battery information on both.thank you
i have a wing span of 3.1m , wing area if 3.1m X 0.4m , length of rc aircarft is 2.5m and a weight of probably 10kg . what suitable electric rc engine should i use and the suitable prop ? please i need answer ASAP !
I have a YAK 54 26cc gasoline powered, and I would like to convert it to elecric power could you tell me what I would need to do this.
Your blog is amazing dude. i love to visit it everyday”
Hi there,
I have just bought an old plane of my friends Dad. Its a trainer which used to have a nitro glow 40 engine. That engine is now dead and I have bought a eFlight 40 brushless motor to replace it which I now would like to install. Can I litterally just use the engine mount provided and instal it on the balsa firewall (obviously in the center of the plane) but do I also need to consider the angle that the motor should be installed?
Thanks,
Marcus.
Hi Carl,
I could use your help, I've been a licensed commercial pilot 40 years, and have been tinkering with RC for almost 20 years, but I'm a true novice, I have a Wright flyer trainer, and a Wanderer Glider, I converted the Wanderer to electrics many years ago, but crashed it and destroyed the old (brush) technology motor and ESC. I've rebuilt/repaired the plane and wing, and I'm ready to purchase a new (brushless) technology motor, controller, and battery pack, but have absolutely no idea what I should buy., could please make some suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
CARL I have a question about how to determine the size electric motor that would correspond to a peticular size gas motor. I have a beech bonanza and will start a cessna skymaster this winter . these planes are setup for gas. the beech calls for a 90 two stroke. the skymaster calls for a 130 cc.pusher and a 300cc puller. can you help me outt? JIM H
Thanks for this information. I have older transmitters and receivers, all for the larger servos. if I go with a purchase or use of mini servos and a mini servo receiver, can I still use my transmitter? What do I need to do?
Also, I bought a Dynam DC3 Skybus which I like very much. I would like to convert a gas verion of a Tomcat to electric. Two electric motors would fit as ducted fans. Is a ducted fan motor the same as a propellor motor? That is, can I put a ducted fan "fan" on an electric motor and use it in this way? Or is the ducted fan a different animal. And finally, in deciding motor size, if I want to use two motors, not one, is it a matter of selecting two motors with a cumulative necessary output? I am amazed at the power of the two motors on the DC3 Skybus. The Tomcat weighted about 6 pounds with all the gear. I plan on limiting it to about 4 pounds. Thanks for any information you can provide.
George.
Carl,
Your article is applicable for my situation. I want to convert my Eagle 2 RC plane to electric. I have a 4 channel RX/TX. How does the ESC connect to my existing RX and what happens to the throttle control servo? About how much does this cost?
Thanks,
Peter
Carl, this is the equiptment i have and would like to put it in a 182 cessna. Problem is i diont know if i will need a gear box . And what size motor mount do i need ( small –med -or large.)
Align rcm Bl 500 outrunner Brushless 1600kv
turnigy 6 cell 22.2 volt 3000 mah
Hobby King 70esc 60 amp Max
I just don’t know what size cesssna to buy. Would like wood a.r.f.
help new at this….. i was given a super frontier- 20 balsa gas how do i convert it to electric specifications wing span 54in - gas -flying weight 4.0 lb– fuselage length 44in how can i do this conversion thank you
oh ya recomended moter 0.25 2-cycle or 0.26 4 cycle thank you
Hi Carl,
Keep up the good work. I have a situation here. I need your inputs on how to convert a 37% YAK 55 (115") which had a DA-170 to electric? What are the engine/battery options can be opted for considering 3D aerobatic flying?
Thanks,
Rohit
Hi Cari !
I purchased a Hanger 9 .60-.91 fighter plane P51 Mustang airplane ARF kit. I would like to install a electric motor in it. The wingspan is 65.5", length is 55.75", wing area is745 sq. in., weight is 7-8.5 lb. Can you help me choose yhe right Raido, Reciver, Speed Control, Battery, Servoes, Electric Motor, Prop. and any thing I should need or know to complete plane ? Thank You
Your article is applicable for my situation. I want to convert my Eagle 2 RC plane with Enya 50cx and Futaba 4vf-fm72 Tx to electric. How does the ESC connect to my existing RX? Are the connectors and input/output specs compatible? Are the electric components more adaptable to smaller planes, smaller servos, should I wipe out my Eagle. I understand that electric rc planes are able to fly inmore locations and with less restrictions. does the size of the eagle2 and "power " of the motor place legal/regulatory restriction on it not applying to smaller, park flyers, other than obvious space issues? does use of the older TX/RX created problems?
David
Thanks
,
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Mr. Baer:
I have read some of the technical advise you have/ are given to RC Plane enthusiats. It seems that Hobby Retail Stores would profit more if they are able to provide the customers one simple formula v. the different numbers and codes on the Outrunning Motors etc. sold on the market. What I am trying to emphisize, when attempting to sell an Outrunner Motor the retailer should provide a check list for the customer.
1. What is the "Total Weight of the air plane including Wing Span, lenght of plane 3. What is the purpose "Training, Acrobat, Slow Flite etc"
Retailer should provide the check based upon above factors: This is the size of motor + ESC with or w/o BEC + Amp of battery etc. you will need for the rc plane.
Based on the different type of Outrunner Motors/ coding etc., perhaps you can come up with a suggestion to improve the retailers sales. Ninety percent of the time, there is insufficient info given on some of the outrunner motors. I be glad to do it, but I am not the bread winner on this.
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I would like some wiring diagrams for installing electric motors in rc airplanes.
My plane weighs 30 lbs. and has 2 – 70 size rc engines in it.
Question —– what size electric engines, lipos and esc do I need
is there an instruction booklet available
Looking forward to any info you could give me Matt
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I want to find the brushless motor equivilent of an OS 26 FS which is in a Vintage model. Perhaps you can give me n idea as to some appropriate motors.Thank you.
Hi Carl
I have a Modeltech Angel RC Glider which I want to put an electric conversion in, the dimensions aree as follows
Wingspan: 1600mm
Length: 936mm
Flying Weight: 1kg
Please can you offer me some idea on ESC, Motor, Battery and Prop size ( Folding I would think )
Cheers Dean
I'm confused by the size designations for RC motors (380, 480, etc.) Is there somewhere I can get dimensions for the standards?
Thanks,
David
I have an eaglet 50 and would like to convert it to electric could anyone out there help me with a good setup I could use. thanks robert benedick
Come across this a few times now , i (like one of the guys to coment) find a whole lot of words with no info of any use in the real world, you dont even bother posting any follow-ups with sizes and numbers for people who ask and for use to look at and get more insite with the calcultions, Im still stuck on the first bit you said " has been two fold. First we have …………" WHATS SECOND , you have 30yrs + behind you and can write articals!!!! so what about a follow up with a simple table of conversion for people to use a starting piont like the propellor – engine size charts we see and use as a starting point, NOT set in stone just a simple guide we can add to over time with real world info, Thx Paul
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