E Flite Ascent

[flyingmachine]

Hello,

I just purchased an Eflite Ascent ARF, through RCCanada:D

My question is, It came with a 18 AMP esc, and has a 3S 11.1v 2000 mah lipo. I am trying to find out what the propeller size is, as well as the motor. Is there some sort of way of figuring out (using math, not electronics) how many amps will be pulled at full throtle? I'll update this thread with motor specs and the prop size

Thanks

[cassat]

Is the plane missing the propellor? I think it was a 8 x 3.8 folding prop? I may be wrong but seems to strike a bell.

[flyingmachine]

Nope, came with a european folding prop, not sure of size or make though. Seems German

[Paul Harvey]

Check this link out http://www.motocalc.com/viewman.htm
Gets you in the ballpark and the math is done for you.

P.S. I forgot to add there is a 30 day trial of the software, I own it and find it helpfull.

[Spitball]

There were two Ascent ARFs - the older and less sucessful straight out of the box, had a 400 size motor and was hopelessly over-propped - the folder closely matched the Graupner design and changing to a pair of their 6"x 3" or so blades transformed it. The motor got very hot on the original and just couldn't put out the thrust it was really capable of. Current was way in excess of the 12 amps which is the upper limit of any 400. Lovely little glider with the slightly smaller prop; I've got a pair of 1100mAH A123s from a B&D VPX pack.
I only know the newer 480 from what others are finding - it seems successful but I think I like the original (now discontinued apparently) more and I only paid under $80 for mine some time ago. At the price now, I'm sure the prop should have been included.
'Google' it and you'll find a wealth of first-hand experience on the various sites - I know I found more info than I could digest when I looked - they're very popular.
Keep us posted - I for one, am interested. There was a thread here earlier in the year about the Aspire. Keep digging.

[flyingmachine]

Thanks alot. I have the older one, the red Ascent ARF. It has a MT400 motor in it, and the propeller is a folding 9x7. I find that the ESC gets hot fast, but the engine stayswell within respectable temperatures. I will go do some more testing

Eric

[Spitball]

Eric - try and get some Graupner 6" by 3" or 3,5" or metric equiv. CAM folder blades - the Graupner spinner is a bit smaller and looks untidy!! That original prop just kills the motor and it just can't rev enough to develop power/revs and produce the thrust! Also the higher current makes the battery voltage sag unnecessarily! Ideally a 400 is happiest on 9 Amps at most. Otherwise it flies nicely - the new blades fit the original spinner with some washers to act as spacers. Your bigger battery is a bit of an overkill IMO, with less current from the smaller prop and higher revs, you'll fly forever!! Also I feel that 3-cells is a bit much for a 400 unless yopu have one with an unusual K/v. PM me and I can try and put you onto a few threads that cover a couple of years and many peoples experiences! I wouldn't know how to import them into a post! It's a lovely little plane but put in it a full range receiver 'cause it can get high quickly and also very small - new meaning to the phrase 'speck out'!
I find I also put aside a aero=naut 9.5" x 5" folder but that was probably for a more powerful brushless motor.
Modded the wing hold-down to #6 blind nuts and have #6 - 32 nylon screws - didn't like the original arrangement.
Watch the servo depth - a lot of 9-gm servos are hard against the bottom of the fuse - coffee stirrer sticks make good spacers. Clean up the push rods and push some stuff through the plastic guide tubes as they rusted from the factory and stick, and ease the bends at the back end.
Watch out for warps and a reasonable amount of wash-in (or is it wash-out; I get confused!) - get that right with a heat-gun - my covering was nice out of the box. Watch the CofG too. Otherwise, assemble and enjoy! Cedric.

[Spitball]

P.S. I can't figure out why the ESC should get really hot but not the motor - ideas anyone?? Usually the heat causes the insulation etc. to deteriorate and de-magnetizes the ferrite magnets steadily. Excess heat in the ESC reduces the reliability of the FETs, etc...

[Spitball]

Eric - E-Flite Ascent spares list gives prop supplied as 7" by 3" - judging by the current and revs, I would have thought a greater pitch!
CofG - I found a note I'd made - CofG 70mm back from L/Edge - that suggested in book too conservative viz 60mm - it seems rather sensitive to CofG position. Can't actually check mine as the motor etc. is out awaiting a brushless 370 or 400 - should result in about perhaps 30% more thrust with the 7" x 5" folder I want to try. It's a glider, not a 3-D plane but a bit more thrust helps get you out of trouble better! Also more efficient thus coooler running. Do you have the E-Flite Manual for it?