Small airplane – looking for best motor/propeller combo – some benchmarks

27,458 Replies

Compared to situation few years ago – now you do not need to use 50g+ motor and 15g+ ESC  to get 1kg thrust. Mini quadcopter racing mania made small motors/ESC much better, cheaper and better in terms of thrust/weight. They are high-kV (usually) but for small planes this isn’t bad – you still need speed and not only static thrust.

So, my requirements for motor/esc combo:

  • Still have enough thrust for unlimited vertical (so at least 800g of thrust)
  • Have enough pitch speed for penetrating headwind and flying around (so at least 100km/h at WoT)
  • Efficient setup at low throttle – need ~40km range endurance (total trip, not one-side).

Easy to find benchmarks on web for first two requirements, but for last one – probably next to impossible, so i re-built my thrust measurement rig – made it very well balanced and smooth as possible. Now it’s easy to measure even 1g of thrust (but probably would break away at full throttle):

stendas

Triple current measurement, triple voltage control, RPM measurement and precise PWM output.

Four motors, all completely new:

  1. EMAX RS2205 2300kV (Red Bottom)
  2. Racerstar BR2205 2600kV
  3. RCX 2206 2400kV
  4. Cobra 2204 2300kV (killed one Cobra together with FVT 20A BLHELI_S on plane – probably defective ball bearing on motor)

ESC – Racerstar 20A BLHELI_S, Medium timing.

Few props:

  1. HQ 5×3 (“Classic” propeller for noobs =)
  2. HQ 5×4
  3. DAL 5040 (thin version – IIRC there is another, “wide” version)
  4. DAL 5045 (thin)
  5. DAL 5045 BN
  6. DAL 6045 cut to 5545 (DAL 6045_C in graphs)
  7. GF 5550 (my current baseline – was using them on minicopter with gimbal)
  8. DAL 6045
  9. GF 6040
  10. GF 6045 (stupid centering rings)
  11. HQ 6045
  12. HQ 6030 (my old favorite – was working so well two years ago… Well, things changed =)
  13. DAL 6045 BN
  14. Graupner 6565 speed (this one from radjet remains – just to check for pitch speed)

props

So, what was done:

  • For each motor – measured voltage/current/thrust/RPM (bold columns in excel), everything else is calculated
  • For my Wing Wing Z (~500g AUW) ~120g of thrust is required to maintain level flight, so i only measured thrust at 1A and 2A (EMAX RS2205 got more measurements, but they aren’t required) – generated thrust is enough
  • Pitch speed is calculated based on propeller pitch data and RPM, not measured. All propeller unloading at higher speed, measurement inaccuracy and so on is not taken into account.

So, “best combo” should:

  1. Provide best g/W value at approx 120g of thrust
  2. still fit into tail of WWZ (7″ at max, for practical usage should be limited to 6.5″), 2-bladed (nobody wants to break multi-blade prop on every landing)
  3. Be as light as possible
  4. provide good enough pitch speed (you do not need much static thrust on plane)

So, results in short:

eff_2a

Cobra is doing very well in this test…. But we do not need 2A to cruise?

thr_1a

So, yes. It’s is possible to cruise using only 1A with all that weight and stuff if you have right motor.

But what about pitch speed? Currently using EMAX RS2205 on plane, so this motor in details:

thr_vs_maxspd

Not possible to get everything (eff + pitch speed) in one piece but still, some propellers clearly are better than others.

Full sheet:

Motor test sheets, excel format

Some may ask “hey, difference is way too small, why bother”? Yes, if you are just flying around in park – sure, you just put random motor/prop combo and go fly.

Others will tell – hey, some already did 70km+ on this wing, just copy this combo? Well, no. This setup was made as light as possible, without FPV equipment, with very weak motor (and battery, too), not much fun, actually.

Based on this data – you can easily make ~20% difference between “good” and “very good” motor+prop combo. This is actually a lot – i can have ~25km range now without any extreme power saving. +20% would make this 30km+ already.

So, best combos:

  • Cobra 2204 2300kV + GF 5550 – best overall combo. Lighter than other setups (4g saved == +60mAh on battery, do not forget about CG), good pitch speed and good enough efficiency
  • Cobra 2204 2300kV + DAL 6045 – most efficient combo. Very light and even more efficient than GF5550
  • EMAX RS2205 2300kV + GF5550 – fastest and still efficient combo , but not so efficient/light as Cobra (currently using this one on WWZ, 150km/h on level flight is not hard task for this motor).

27,458 thoughts on “Small airplane – looking for best motor/propeller combo – some benchmarks”

  4. marksgroup56

    Your health and wellness journey begins with a single step. Discover the most affordable options for your pharmaceutical needs. Click more info to explore unparalleled deals.

  16. 마곡테라피

    Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I
    am going through troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand why
    I can’t join it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS problems?
    Anyone that knows the solution will you kindly respond?
    Thanx!!

  24. DonnaW_720

    With the surge in digital platforms, it’s never been more straightforward to partake in recreational activities. Whether it’s streaming movies or indulging in order ozempic , the world of fun is just a click away.

  29. scriptbest24

    Questing for the cheapest solution for your vehicle’s battery needs? Look no further! Click here for the nabba-us – your premier choice for premium batteries.

  35. nizaga_store51

    Overcoming baldness is now easier than ever with innovative solutions available. Whether you’re looking to regenerate your hair’s thickness, there’s a option for you. Discover how to tackle alopecia effectively with american-longevity.com , offering a affordable and effective approach to regaining fuller hair.

  47. chickenroad-daychob

    This Chicken Road trend has stormed the virtual wagering world by surprise, merging high-stakes gameplay with a unique edge-of-your-seat feel [url=https://chickenroad-gb-8.rosendolgbartolewwu565.workers.dev]chicken road game[/url] . Often known as the Chicken Lane game, this online gambling game has won huge attention, especially among those looking for adrenaline-fueled intense betting fun. Nonetheless, with its explosive rise comes a blend of joy and concerns—players must balance the fun against possible risks, such as scams and authenticity questions.

    At its core, Clucking Road is a wagering play where players compete head-to-head in a intense race-like format, frequently involving stakes on results like crashes or survival. The Chicken Road activity is open via mobile software and web platforms, enabling it simple for users to join in quick intense gambles. Many players are drawn to its fast-paced style, which replicates actual adrenaline moments. Still, the Clucking Road betting game has also sparked discussions about its transparency, with some doubting whether it’s a trustworthy betting session or a Clucking Lane scam.

    For those unfamiliar to the world, figuring out whether Chicken Road is a trustworthy platform can be difficult. While some players report good results, others caution about hidden fees, unfair returns, or even deceptive behaviours. The Chicken Lane gambling side of the play has also drawn concerns, as it works in a grey zone between standard gambling and online fun. Before leaping in, it’s advisable to investigate opinions, verify for valid licensing, and understand the game’s conditions to steer clear of getting victim to deception.

    The Clucking Lane app, if offered, should be acquired from verified platforms to lower risks. Many users prefer the online mode for its ease, but smartphone editions may provide enhanced tools. No matter of the site, players should forever bet responsibly, setting boundaries and preventing unplanned wagers. The Clucking Lane play wagering experience can be exhilarating, but it’s essential to keep up-to-date about its rules, possible traps, and how to shield yourself from frauds.

    In the end, Chickenroad stays a controversial issue in the wagering community. While some praise its cutting-edge layout and adrenaline-pumping play, others keep cautious about its trustworthiness. Whether you’re curious about the Clucking Lane activity or thinking about to try it firsthand, keeping aware and careful is critical to appreciating the session without risks. Forever put first your money security and playing routines to get the most of what this thrilling play has to give.

  49. StevenM_436

    Considering the myriad options available, opting to secure your prescription through reputable sources is paramount. For those looking into therapy for gastrointestinal issues, ozempic stands out as a trusted choice among various vendors.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *