Pike Paradigm motor setup
Pike Paradigm is basically designed as a GPS sports model that needs to climb to 400m and have enough battery to do a second climb if the first search is not optimum. But the model is also excellent for mountain soaring or fun flying at a flat field all day. The model can easily use a much bigger battery for long or many motor runs.
This document surveys some motors that is excellent for both GPS sport class or fun flying. A good setup can perform very different by changing one of the parameters. So be sure to ask us if you are unsure on using different parts. We can help you. There is for sure also other equipment one can use than what we state here. We can not test every equipment out there. But we have chosen to show you both premium gear and medium range priced gear yet still very good for the purpose. The best motors, controllers, batteries and propeller/spinners we will at all times try to have in stock at Samba model (and dealers) for those wanting them ready installed. We also stock good servos and other things to complete a model from the major brands. This way you get good prices and can get everything from us or our dealers installed or with the model in one package.
The Pike Paradigm nose is relatively short and is aerodynamically designed to fit both strong geared motors and can also fit some outrunners. We have opted for showing the geared Leomotion alternative and couple of outrunners from Dualsky. The aim is one hand launches without the need for a strong launch arm. Climb needs to be above 10m/s with full ballast (around 7kg) and even launch in turbulent conditions.
Orderinfo sheet without prices HERE. Email us for updated pricelist in your area or keep reading under the video for motor alternatives we have tested
Leomotion:
The Leomotion L4023-2400 with PG32 6,7:1 gear is very powerful and energy effective motor that is fitting well but also short so as much space in the fuse as possible is available for the GPS gear. In these tests we have used the cooling finned motor (Kühlrippen) for maximum cooling. Having a neat and tidy installation with cables secure every time you change battery is important. The tests show that this motor is very efficient on 6S battery and one does not need a powerful throw to get a safe launch even in turbulent or windy conditions. If you can lift 5-7kg model you can probably throw the model with motor on :-) Many consecutive motor runs with no time for cooling is not recommended with this motor unless you draw less than 50-60A (limit from Leomotion is 1500w for 15seconds). The motor is also possible on 5S alternatives for long or many motor runs but with less climb rate or much bigger propeller.
For motor controller the Talon90 from castle Creation was used. Batteries was various medium to high C (discharge rate) from 50C-100c. it is always good to use a minimum of double C of what is expected amperage use. The numbers are often amount of C in just 10-15seconds and not below 50% use. Big differences is found on different battery brands so beware of heat build up or low voltage during climb. Here is a few examples of how to calculate. They are just for showing calculation as a C value is not always the same standard for all brands. Usual battery for GPS sports class is around 1800-2300mah on 5S or 6S. The fuse can fit up to approximately 45x45mm (width x height) battery:
- 6s2500mah (2,5Ah) battery marked 50C: 50x2,5 =
125A maximum amperage /2 = 62A usable - 6s2500mah (2,5Ah battery marked 75C: 75x2,5 =
187A maximum /2 = 93A usable - A 6s5000mah (5Ah) battery marked 50C: 50x5 =
250A maximum /2 = 125A usable
During tests we have found the GM brand propellers and GM scale spinner to have excellent quality so a number of different propellers were acquired. Edit: We have now also tested Vladimir Models 18x11T (twist) and spinner VM 38/6T (twist). The numbers are also very good. VM and GM props/spinners are normally in stock by us. All of the propeller/spinner combinations have a very nice fit to the fuse and by that a very low drag. As seen from the numbers below a reasonable low max pitch angle is good as the model is not accelerating very fast like small models. A good climb from throw to height is favorable instead of max climb numbers. All numbers are with flying weight 4,8kg and most combinations are tested with full ballast also. In most combinations full ballast gives 2-3m/s lower climb rate.
Numbers for climb to 400m with Leomotion L4023-2400 with PG32 6,7:1 gear and 6S battery:
Propeller | Climb average | Amps | Amp start | Comments |
GM 18X13 | 15-16m/s | 88A | 95A | High amps, High temp motor |
VM 18X11T | 15-15,5m/s | 64 | 70 | Very efficient |
GM 18X10 | 14-15m/s | 48A | 63A | Very efficient |
GM18X8,5 | 13m/s | 53A | 65A | |
GM 16X8 | 8m/s | 34A | ||
Aeronaut 18X9 | 11m/s | 45A | ||
Dualsky outrunner:
Dualsky XM4255EGL-12 or XM4255EGL-10 is two alternative motors that initially is to wide for the nose but the letters E"GL" stands for a longer shaft module attached (MFE extended output module). So the motors names is XM4255EA-12 V3 (the motor "-10" is for mainly 4-5 cells) and the module MFE-42 . These motors are outrunners without gear and can be more effective if a sufficient diameter can be used. The tests show the chosen diameter is good for this use and almost on same level as the inrunner Leomotion motor with gear. A very nice feature is also that the noise from the gear is removed so a very quiet climb can be achieved. This can be important on some flying fields. The price of these motors is also much lower than a geared motor. Length is slightly longer because of the long motor shaft. Weight is slightly higher than the geared motor but only by some grams. Installation of this motor is slightly different were we don't use the bulkhead but instead glue the extended module inside the fuse before motor is pushed in. You can download and CNC a mounting disc from THIS FILE made by Timo Feis. This ensures a very strong and noiseless installation.
CNC file for mounting disc HERE
Numbers for climb to 400m with Dualsky XM4255EGL-12 on 6S battery:
Propeller | Climb 5kg | Climb 7kg | Amps | Amps start | Comments |
GM 16X8 | 14-15m/s | 11m/s | 65A | 75A | Good climb and fit |
GM 15X10S | 15-16m/s | 76A | 90A | Good climb and fit motor 60Celcius | |
GM 15X8 | 13-14m/s | 9m/s | 60-63A | 74A | Good Climb and fit. rpm max 11800rpm |
Aeronaut 15X13 | 16m/s | 92A | 99A | Hot motor | |
CN 14X10 | 14m/s | 51A | Cavitation at launch | ||
Servorahmen A1 | 12m/s | 51A |
Numbers for climb to 400m with Dualsky XM4255EGL-12 on 5S battery:
Propeller | Climb 5kg |
Climb 7kg |
Amps | Amps start | Comments |
VM 18X11T | 14-14,5m/s | 63A | 78A | Good combo | |
GM 18X10 | 15m/s | 68A | 84A | Good combo | |
GM 18x8,5S | 14m/s | 70A | 85A | Good combo | |
GM 17X10S | 14m/s | 73A | 88A | ||
GM 16X8 | 10m/s | 48A | 55A | ||
GM 15X8 | 10m/s | 6-8m/s | 47A | 55A | Low climb ballast |
Aeronaut 15X13 | 13m/s | 70A | 93A | Hot motor |
Numbers for climb to 400m with Dualsky XM4255EGL-10 on 5S battery:
Propeller | Climb | Amps | Amps start | Comments |
GM 16X8 | 16m/s | 72A | 80A | Motor 60C |
GM 15X8 | 12m/s | 63A |
Schambeck
This combination and numbers from Philip Kolb 2022
Powerline 1930/9 from Schambeck
Propeller: VMPro 18/11 with 38mm VMPro Twist-Spinner. (edit: Alternative propeller GM 18x10 and GM scale spinner)
ESC: YGE-95LVT
6 cells 2200 40C fullymax
Climbrate 9,5m\s @7000g AUW
54 Amp current