Wattage S3 Viking help

[Pgear99]

I have just aquired an Wattage S3 Viking and would like to upgrade the two DF units. I would like to get the size of the units to be more scale size and would like to fly plane with lipro's. Any suggestions of new fan units and or brushless motors for the orginal fans ? I am a scale scratch builder and have just started to fly electric.
Also on an other note what is the largest electric DF unit out there now? I have got a couple of scale projects that I would like to do with a couple of EDF's.

Pgear99

[ultimate bipe lover]

go to www.e-flightline.com (http://www.e-flightline.com) they already converted this jet to brushless with gws 75s i believe as for the biggest df ive heard of a 90 mm but not sure because i fly prop jets

[RichTheBikeRider]

The wattage fan units don't take upgrading well,
best approach is to use Wemotec fans.However scale fans won't give you enough power to fly it.There is a german dual fan unit that was used in the Skyray that I have but I don't know any thing more about that ( just saw some pictures ) don't know if it worked or not contact Chris True at EZone.com
good luck
Rich

[Pgear99]

Rich,

Are you saying the fans are not good or are the motors the problem ?
I was thinking about making a more scale looking engine nacell and putting the stock fans in these . Then I would use a 3s lipo battery pack to boost the rpm , (according to the specs on the motor). Any thoughts out there. I am not wanting a speed deamon I just want the power so the plane flies good.
Thanks for all of the replies.

Jim

[RichTheBikeRider]

The blades breakoff if you use a more powerful motor, the LI-Polys are great just remember the motors wear out fast, you could fit grapner blades with some modification or just use the whole unit check out http://www.hobby-lobby.com/
Rich

[RichTheBikeRider]

Oh ya

[RichTheBikeRider]

Check out Chris Trues articles in http://www.ezonemag.com/

Rich

[Pgear99]

Rich,

Thanks for the info I will check the links out. I realize the motor life will be reduced but Like I said I just want a little more power. You mention the Grapner blades are you referring to the DF units or the regular props? I saw on e-flight's web site that they modified there S3 with the GWS fans. Are these fans better than the Wattage fans ? I know that they put brushless motors in there plane. Just woundered if the fan itself is more efficent. Thanks again for your help, I am really enjoying this electric thing, no fuel ,no mess ,etc.

Cheers,

Jim

[RichTheBikeRider]

Yes Jim the GWS fans are a tad better but you'll get better results balancing the fan blades , you can get complete fan systems from Varsa which are eaven better and designed for brushless. Again read all the EDF files on EZone and ask Chris he knows his stuff. A good way to finish your plane is with tisue and water based urthane clear.
Rich

[Pgear99]

Thanks Rich for all the help

Jim

[Chris_K]

I can't imagine there's any point in replacing the fan units on this model with others. If your objection is the appearance of the engine nacelles as designed, create new ones out of foam that are more to scale. If you're concerned about performance, change out the motors. From what I've read, the WattAge Powerfans are pretty well thought of. Other fan units might give a little more thrust with the same motors, but would the cost be justified? I don't think so.

It's my opinion that with a model like this, things need to be kept in perspective. I wouldn't expect great aerobatics out of it, more likely just scale-like performance. The wing area is quite small, and won't really support the weight of heavier fans well. I think that this could serve as a good, inexpensive introductory EDF twin, if bought on sale. I did so myself when it was on sale at Hobby People for $49.99 some time ago. I haven't started on this plane yet, having others I wish to get in the air first. I intend to go with the stock motors, but haven't decided yet whether to bother creating scale nacelles. Look, if you paid 50 bucks like I did, and the fan/motor combos sell for $23.99 each, take it for what it is and consider it a bargain. If it was a larger model it might warrant hopping up, but I think it's just too small to go to the trouble. Just an opinion...

Chris

[Pgear99]

Chris,

Thanks for your insite. I agree with your thought of making new nacells as that is what I am doing now. I guess that my real problem is that I have been scratch buildng large scale RC for so long that I just can't put together a plane and fly it ! Stupid I know but I really like the building part. I am going to use the stock fans and just have fun. Thanks for the advise.

Cheers,

Jim

[Chris_K]

Jim,

I'd love to see how you handle doing scale nacelles. Maybe you'll inspire me. Please post some pics of them under construction, how you do the lip, how you mount them, etc. I'm very interested.

All the best,
Chris

[Pgear99]

Chris,

I am going to cut the nacells on my cnc to make the plug for carbon pieces. I will make the front of the nacell as one piece so I will cut the lip in the plug. I am finishing up the 3D work of the plugs this week and should be cutting soon. I will keep you informed. BY the way do you think that there would be any intrest in a larger S3 electric that has true scale outlines ? Thinking of maybe making one with a light weight Fiberglass fuse with panel lines etc. What do you think?

Cheers,

Jim

[Chris_K]

Jim,

You're obviously a very advanced builder, and I'm sure your nacelles will look great. No wonder you were looking to heavily mod the kit, if you have your own CNC machine available.

The Viking is an unusual plane, and an interesting modelling subject. I can't speak for others, but I'd say that if you wanted a larger, truer to scale version for yourself, just do it. Some who'd shy away from a WattAge model might well be interested.

Chris