Various prop and battery size reccomendations

mmeyer

Senior Member
I was wondering what some good sizes for props would be which i can use on a range of different planes. I would like to be able to swap different props in and out depending on what i want and i was wondering what some common sizes would be to purchase. I would also like to have a range of batteries for different planes and was wondering what were some good sizes for them. I am using 18A speed controllers but obviously can upgrade. At the moment i have a 1400kv Brusless outrunner (http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__20627__2205C_1400Kv_Brushless_motor_AUS_Warehouse_.html) and a 1300kv 24g hexTronik (http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor...rushless_Outrunner_1300kv_AUS_Warehouse_.html)
Thanks!
 

earthsciteach

Moderator
Moderator
Props, motors and speed controllers are matched, ideally. Using too large a prop on a motor will result in a burned out motor and/or esc. Using too small a prop will cause the plane to be underpowered. You really need to match the motor/esc/prop/battery to the size and desired performance of a given plane.
 

FlyingMonkey

Bought Another Trailer
Staff member
Admin
You can always put a smaller prop than suggested on but it will be less and less efficient the smaller you go. The larger the prop is, the more work it puts on the motor. After a certain size, it will either burn out the motor, or the speed controller. Sometimes both.

The recommended prop has been tested to get make the most efficient use of the motor it's being recommended for.
 

mmeyer

Senior Member
At the moment i have 8x4 props. What then would be a good motor for say a 6x4 or similar? And do you have any good combos which i could put in more than one plane?
Btw thanks for all the replies :D If you havent already noticed i am new to the hobby so any help is greatly appreciated
 

earthsciteach

Moderator
Moderator
You really need to approach it from a "match the motor to the plane" standpoint. Coming from the other direction is WAAAYYYY too open-ended. If you can post a given plane or design, we can make recommendations.
 

FlyingMonkey

Bought Another Trailer
Staff member
Admin
You really need to approach it from a "match the motor to the plane" standpoint. Coming from the other direction is WAAAYYYY too open-ended. If you can post a given plane or design, we can make recommendations.


Chad was telling me that he's a "pick the prop first, then find a motor to match" kind of guy.

Weird. I always picked the plane first, then went from there... :D
 

FlyingMonkey

Bought Another Trailer
Staff member
Admin
thrust by prop.jpg

When picking the motor for a project, I first try to determine how heavy my finished plane should be.

The "watts per pound rule of thumb" is roughly as follows...

Quote:
50-70 watts per pound; Minimum level of power for decent performance, good for lightly loaded slow flyer and park flyer models
70-90 watts per pound; Trainer and slow flying scale models
90-110 watts per pound; Sport aerobatic and fast flying scale models
110-130 watts per pound; Advanced aerobatic and high-speed models
130-150 watts per pound; Lightly loaded 3D models and ducted fans
150-200+ watts per pound; Unlimited performance 3D and aerobatic models

So, if I have a project that is going to weigh 24 oz and I wanted to fly aerobatic, I'd look for a motor and prop combo that would provide me with about 150 watts of power. Since I'm wanting more thrust than speed I'd go for a combo that lists a larger diameter propeller. I'd want a prop with a wide spread between the pitch and the diameter, for example, an 8x4 verses an 5x5.
 

mmeyer

Senior Member
Ok so here are my calculations.
My plane weighed in at 0.79 pounds. I want my plane to fly in the "70-90 watts per pound; Trainer and slow flying scale models" category. So lets take the average and say 80 watts per pound. That means that if my plane is 0.79 pounds i should multiply 80 watts by 0.79:
80 x 0.79= 63.2 watts per pound. So i would be wanting to get a power combo with 63.2 is watts correct? And as i am a learner i would probably want more thrust than speed so going with a larger prop with a shallower pitch would be better, ie 8x4?
As i said before i was always flying at full throttle. Do your numbers mean that it will be flying like a trainer or slow flying scale model only at full throttle? Could i upsize and just fly the plane on 1/2 throttle or something like that?
 

aiidanwings

Senior Member
Chad was telling me that he's a "pick the prop first, then find a motor to match" kind of guy.

Weird. I always picked the plane first, then went from there... :D

Me too. Plane, then prop, then motor, then ESC (not really, I use 80amp is almost everything) then battery.
 

FlyingMonkey

Bought Another Trailer
Staff member
Admin
Yes, at the low end of the watt scale you're flying at full power. You can certainly put in a larger motor, and fly at half throttle, but have the rest of the throttle curve to get you out of trouble.

It looks like you have a good grasp on it. Treat the plane like it's a full pound, and that should give you plenty of reserve power.