GWS motor mounting, E36

[JohnRiese]

Hi Again,

I’m trying to figure out how to mount the GWS LPS RLC motor/gearbox to a firewall on a scaled down Simplex. I don’t have any planes handy to use for reference. There are some holes in the front of the gearbox, screws thru these? Or use a dowel extended from the firewall.

A reference drawing, pics of an installation, etc. would be nice. I’m clueless on this.

Is the LPS RLC-A 4 to 1 still the hot setup for E36 or has this event died? I notice a lot of interest lately in higher powered AMA and FAI F1Q. I see that the Arizona January contest has an E36 event listed.

Thanks,

John in the basement

[rivers]

Hello John,

I use a 1/4″ wood dowel sanded down to be a close fit in the LPS motor. A cross drilled #0-80 self tapping-screw is added as anti-rotation. The dowel is mounted in the plane with a little bit of right thrust. (See photo attached to “E-36 Slo Worm” thread.)

More often, folks will use the GWS IPS geared motor assembly. It’s the same motor and gear ratio, but with a heavier gear frame and a 3 mm shaft. The 2mm LPS shaft bends easily and can be very frustrating. I now use a hardened steel shaft in the LPS motor. (See separate “Unbendable Shaft for E-36 LPS Motor” thread). Sorry, I don’t have any more or I’d give you one. However, another approach is to use a Prop Saver Adapter from the R/C world. It is a simple fitting that allows the prop to be rubber-banded on. Example: Dymond Modelsport Part #22176.

I think interest has faded in E-36. Making a max is hard because the models have low power and are heavy (See separate discussion in other threads). They are tough to fly in windy weather. Rex Hinson designed the Sparky E-36. He is very good at air picking and has done well at the Nats. It would be helpful if you could talk to him.

Dick

[JohnRiese]

Hi Dick,

I did what you said, used a sanded down 1/4 inch dowel through the fiewalll. It was braced with sheet balsa triangles behind and in front of the firewall. The disadvantage is that the thrust line can’t be changed.

Based on my experiences with a number of full sized Simplexes I put in lots of down and left thrust. Got half a dozen flights and the stick is still in one place.

So far I haven’t bent the prop shaft on this plane but it is a weak point. Yesterday at the field I saw 2 different E36 planes. One had the same motor with a home made folding prop. The builder said he bent the shaft just on a test glide. The other Sparks model had the heavier gearbox with a thicker shaft. I think the extra weight is a small price to pay for the extra durability.

John in Kalifornia

[Author]

Posts