Electric to glow conversion

[BobK]

Usually it is the other way around, but not always.

 

[PsyBorg]

I thought going from fuel to electric was Ok but going purpose built for electric to fuel based was bad. From what I understand the builds aren't usually as strong on an electric which is why not many conversions are done unless there is a lot of structural enhancements done. Was there any done on that one?

It seems to handle it pretty nicely I will say. Hopefully it wont vibrate itself apart over time.

 

[razor02097]

Yeah you don't see many people going the other conversion way

I thought going from fuel to electric was Ok but going purpose built for electric to fuel based was bad. From what I understand the builds aren't usually as strong on an electric which is why not many conversions are done unless there is a lot of structural enhancements done. Was there any done on that one?

It seems to handle it pretty nicely I will say. Hopefully it wont vibrate itself apart over time.

That is what I've heard too. The vibrations of a fuel engine can cause issues. But I guess that depends on how the plane was built. I would say as long as the engine isn't too large for the airframe to handle and the materials used can hold up to the fuel/oil being used it would probably be fine.

 

[BobK]

I am trying to find out about this conversion but I haven't found much yet, and not much info on the video. I did find some threads on rcgroups on other conversions and it doesn't seem there has been much done to strengthen the airframe or worry about vibration..I think the foam would absorb vibration better than wood. I also read that glow fuel isn't a problem with foam IF it is wiped down after each flight and not left to sit on the airframe, it becomes a problem when it is left on and the oil soaks into the foam.

Most of the early ARFS were foam, including Midwest, Sureflite, Cox, MRC/Altech, etc. I would love have one of the old Sureflite Cubs..a rare find these days.

 

[roversgonemad]

There are certainly some ARFs that can handle it. A glow engine vibrates a lot. Looking at my J-3 450 Cub, I'd say it would handle glow. As far as foam, I had a foam Carl Goldberg Ranger 42 when I was a kid. It had a .10 size OS Max. The foam was never the issue, the real issue was my poor flying. It didn't take long before it was more epoxy than foam and was too heavy to even think abou flying. Some of the light 3D planes would certainly not handle a glow engine, but many would.