RimFire 50cc outrunner motor for tow planes - thoughts and experiences

[Steve P]

Let's just say that towing with my J3 Cub and Alex with his S2 at the SKSS event sold a few more motors for Great Planes. Guys were stunned by the performace at that price point. Certainly the motor could be more efficient, but when Tower and others have their sales, they are very reasonable and can't be expected to be of Neu or Hacker specs.

The "new" motor in my Cub was a champ. I did about 16 tows with it last weekend with zero issues -- I spend most of the time towing heavies with the Pegasus.

I still think -- that if prop clearance is available -- a 10S setup turning something like a 24x10 or 24x12 might be the ticket versus 12S on 22x8.

Alex, what say ye?

[Alex]

Yes, might actually go 10S next year

[tkallev]

Guys,

Looking to purchase an RC Guys Decathlon for electric tug duty. I am leaning towards the Rimfire 50cc motor on 10S lipo for this sod farm-friendly tug setup.

I'm looking for updated info on the Rimfire or other potential powerplants for this model ... it's a 30-50cc gasser model, 14-16 pounds with a better gear setup than a Cub and the price is right. I'm not adverse to coughing up for a Hacker, but the price-point on the Rimfires are great and I can get a decent discount on stuff from Great Planes at the LHS where I work parttime. I am not a fan of Axi products and would like to steer well clear of them. Hacker, Scorpion or Rimfire ... I don't want any HK junk, either

Looking to pull my HKM Nimbus 6.6M (about 19 pounds) or smaller ... most of the planes I will be pulling are "starter" scalies, 1/5 to 1/4 scale, 4 meter or less. The Nimbus is the heavyweight on the field at this point.

Any input on the large electric motors would be appreciated!

TK

[Steve P]

Tom,

I've moved away from e-tugs, but kept my H9 Cub setup on the Rimfire. Wish I would have gone 10S instead of 12 so you are on the right track. Right now it is turning a 21 inch prop and gets four great tows per battery swap, but no more. I just sold the Scorpion setup from my AMR turning a 24x12 that was killer -- sorry I didn't know you we're in the market.

Steve

[tkallev]

Which Scorpion motor were you running?
tk

[Steve P]

Scorpion 5545-180 Kv with Boca Bearing upgrade, Castle Creations HV 110 controller, APC 24x12 e-prop, 10S

Scorpion data sheet: http://www.scorpionsystem.com/files/...data_chart.htm

Motor specs:
Stator Diameter 55mm (2.165 in)
Stator Thickness 45mm (1.772 in)
No. of Stator Arms 18
Magnet Poles 20
Motor Wind 8 Turn Delta
Motor Wire 30-Strand 0.29mm
Motor Kv 180 RPM / Volt
No-Load Current (Io/10V) 1.92 Amps
Motor Resistance (Rm) 0.018 Ohms
Max Continuous Current 105 Amps
Max Continuous Power 4500 Watts
Weight 1052.7 Grams (37.13 oz)
Outside Diameter 65.4 mm (2.575 in)
Shaft Diameter 7.98 mm (0.314 in)
Body Length 89.25 mm (3.514 in)
Overall Shaft Length 116 mm (4.57 in)
Max Lipo Cell 12s
Motor Timing 5deg
Drive Frequency 8kHz

[Alex]

My setup:
Aeroworks S2 Cub
Great Planes Rimfire 50cc (5000W)
CC 160 Phoenix Ice HV-160
22x8 Xoar prop
12S-6800 lipos
Confirmed tows so far up to 24lbs with ease
see graph for current: 1st graph = 4.5m Ventus; 2nd graph is 5m ASG-29

[tkallev]

Thank you, gentlemen! Good to have hard data with which to make a choice.
tk