Gass/Nitro Helicopter Conversion to Electric Owner Thread

Post and discuss anything about converting your gass or nitro helicopter to electric ones.

HeliTown's Raptor Conversion Link page
http://www.helitown.com/RaptorConversion.html

[NeilM]

Not an owner, but a thought.

In the UK, the Raptor series is the most popular heli there is.

I have just started looking into Raptor 50 conversion kits, but there is not a great saving. However, what about the Raptor 30? There are simply tons of them and they can be pretty cheap. Is there a kit to convert them, or could bits of the 50 kit be used?

Neil

[swatson144]

http://www.tppacks.com/products.asp?cat=17 for some conversion ideas.

Steve

[NeilM]

That's a good start.

The basic conversion kit for 30 or 50 looks the same.

I know I could just buy an E550, but where's the challenge in that?

Neil

[G-MRM]

If you want a cheap start with a rappy try a 2nd hand rappy 30 nitro..... You will then have a heli you can just re fuel and fly again and again or convert to a 50 or 50 Titan as you get better or convert to electric !!

[NeilM]

That is sort of my thinking. There are plenty of 30's about, most have been flown a handful of times by guys who then realise it's a lot more work than it looks to fly a heli. The alternative is a well flown model, which could do with a refurb anyway, and these are cheap.

There are a few on the BMFA and auction sites and the bonus is, a lot of upgrades and radio already fitted.

I'm looking at comparative costs of converting or buying an E550, but the conversion route just looks like more fun.

Neil

[swatson144]

That's really a pretty good idea I think Neil. Since you aren't in a hurry and know about linkages and such already. Finding a good used 30 should be pretty easy.

I might have to consider the same for my next heli. The way I see it I don't need to put together a starting kit (I probably have most of what I need leftover) as some kind soul at the site will likely not mind giving me a few starts to see if I like nitro. I'll just explain that it's going electric, but I figured I'd try it as a nitro first. So a cheap used 30 and a gal of fuel don't sound to bad. Take my time finding a used good motor and eventually run it on A123 cells now that Mike is selling them. Probably be a lot of fun to draw and machine all the conversion stuff myself.

Wear a T shirt that says "Will trade fuel for starts" :lol:

[NeilM]

Shame we lost all the previous discussion, but some good news for me. As of yesterday, Amerang (the UK TT importer) and one or two dealers are listing the TT2380 motor, designed for the E620. It takes 8 to 10s - 30 to 37V has a max. current rating of 60 amps and a KV of 770.

The TT2379, designed for the E550 (which I guess my E-Rap would be closer to) is specced 5-6S - 18 - 22V, with a max. current of 55 A and a KV of 1050.

In comparison, the Century Outrunner 600 will handle up to 30.1v, max. revs 20,000, a KV of 715 and max. Wattage of 1000W, which would indicate max. current of around 33 A. I feel something is a little off here, but it would still give me a theoretical headspeed of just under 1900 rpm at 29.6V.

The Outrunner 600 plus has a better spec. Max. 22.2V, KV of 1110 with max. Watts of 1200 and max. revs of 24,000. This spec differs a little form the 600, as 22.2V and 1200W would give us 54amp max., which feels much more like it and the max. revs tie in to the voltage too.

Anyway, it looks like I have at least three available motors to play with. The TT2380 is the most expensive of the three, at £114, which I think is a pretty good price.

There are a few more motors I have started to track down: Real Raptors - http://www.realraptors.co.uk/ have some NEU motors and a Plattenburg which could do the job. They are a lot more expensive though.

Getting there I think.

Neil

[NeilM]

I have stripped the Raptor right down to the basic frame now, in preparation. I've taken some photos and will start a thread once I am a bit further down the road.

Taking measurements in the area of the cooling fan and clutch apertures. It is pretty clear that to fit any of the motors I am considering, I will need an adaptor or filler plate, as the clutch opening is 42 mm and a Z50 motor is 43mm od.

I know TPpacks have kits, but they seem to be permanently out of stock, so I found a UK supplier of MS Composit equipment who lists a complete kit. It is expensive and has a motor I don't want, so further investigation put me onto MS Composit's European site, where the filler and top plates from the kit are available. I have ordered both at a total cost of less than £30, including carriage. In fact the carriage was nearly as expensive as the parts, but once I have one set, I can duplicate or modify as required.

So, current state of play is, one VERY stripped down Raptor 30, some bits on their way and a puzzle of whether / how to make a spacer for the pinion, which I wont know the dimensions of until I buy a motor.

Progress, of sorts, then.

Neil

[NeilM]

Ohhh, how exiting, my bits have arrived from MS Composit.

Not very impressive to look at mind, one square and one round plate, but it's the next step forward :D

Neil

p.s. Less than a week from the Czech Republic.

[G-MRM]

Like most of the parts we buy ! They don't look much, can cost a lot but without them......

Have you ordered the motor yet and did you go for those batts already made up on the BMFS site?

Martin

[NeilM]

These bits cost £30.00 delivered, which considering £10.00 was P&P was not bad at all.

In answer to your other questions, no and no.

I want to check the plates out first, and I thought the E-moli's were just going to add complication. As the E620 motor will take up to 10s, I thought that would allow me to mess about with two 4s packs for and aft, and I see someone has done something similar with a Rap 60, but with more cells.

I also have to get an adaptor made, to fix the pinion into, but that will depend on the motor shaft dia.

Neil

[G-MRM]

Re adaptor, I can turn one up for you Neil if you get stuck.

[NeilM]

Martin, I'll take you up on that offer :D

Trouble is, I need the motor first, to figure out the length :roll:

As the song says "little by little, bit by bit".

Neil

[G-MRM]

Ok when your ready. So we are not changing hold size we are making it stand away from the motor more. No probs, it will be made of brass whatever !!

[NeilM]

It's a simple spacer that replaces the clutch assemble. So a plain hole at one end to match the motor, with a grub screw at 90 degrees and the a fine thread at the other for the pinion to screw into. I'll grab a picture from TPpacks.com.

Neil

[NeilM]

Looks like a little work is required.

The circular spacer, designed to fit into the frame from below is 44mm o/d. The hole in the frame is 43 i/d, so I need to get busy with my B&D and a grinding wheel.

I will have to make sure I get this dead right, otherwise it could mess up the alignment of the motor :(

Martin, is there a difference between a Rap 30 and 50 frame? I thought they were the same. Perhaps the V2 clutch is a little bit beefier.

Neil

[G-MRM]

Yes the clutch is bigger on the 50, why not turn a step in the spacer down to 43mm ? This is off the top of the head as I have not seen the parts as you have !!