Official Freewing Twin 70mm AL37 Airliner Thread

[Waconut]

Hi Guys,
I am thinking about ordering the AL37, I want to do a full repaint and after dealing with lifting factory paint on a couple other planes I want to fully strip the factory paint. Has anyone attempted this and if so what is the best method ?

Thanks!!
Anthony

[GliderGuy]

GliderGuy, wow! I have never seen that type of pin damage in normal operation of any plug. That is indicative of sever arcing, most likely sustained during use as well. looks like the area at the solder joint was also damaged, this only could be either a cold joint, or if the wires were breaking at the solder joint. Either way, that is not normal wear at all.

Thanks S.F. Yep, This sure made the connector body get hot due to the high resistance. I’m gonna do more frequent connector inspections, for sure. Since installing the new, and new type=split barrel male, connector, she’s cool to the touch after a flight.

A good idea for everyone.

-GG

[Scale Freak]

GliderGuy, wow! I have never seen that type of pin damage in normal operation of any plug. That is indicative of sever arcing, most likely sustained during use as well. looks like the area at the solder joint was also damaged, this only could be either a cold joint, or if the wires were breaking at the solder joint. Either way, that is not normal wear at all.

[xviper]

Thanks guys....but my question is regarding the reliability in your experience with the split barrel / flower petal male connector. Is it a better design EC5 connector?
-GG

I don't fly my planes nearly as many times as you do (too many planes) but this past year, I've got a couple of planes where I've put those "split" males onto ESCs and quite frankly, I've not noticed much difference. They still arc when put together. To date, none of my EC5's have rotted away like in your picture although the odd one has gotten very hot. Those had very poor solders at the wire/bullet junction. Once re-soldered properly, they never got hot again.

[GliderGuy]

Thanks guys....but my question is regarding the reliability in your experience with the split barrel / flower petal male connector. Is it a better design EC5 connector?
-GG

[themudduck]

That connector probably had a cold solder joint to the wire, it wasn't making a completely perfect electrical connection and perhaps it was arcing a little bit each time you plugged it in. My opinion. Good thing you caught it and replaced it!

[GliderGuy]

I use those connectors on almost all my planes/packs. That damage is on the battery end is it not? Maybe the battery manufacturer used a cheap version of those plugs?

Thanks - This is the airplane end....Male plug. The battery end is the female. No issues with the battery side.
-GG

[Swarick]

I use those connectors on almost all my planes/packs. That damage is on the battery end is it not? Maybe the battery manufacturer used a cheap version of those plugs?

[GliderGuy]

Need your expertise....please.

I noticed the EC5 on the AL37 was hot after a recent flight. Investigation showed severe degradation of the fluting on the male barrel connector (tons of flights on this bird).
I have installed a new EC5 of the split barrel flower pedal type. She runs cool, now.


My question is related to the different designs of the male EC5 barrel connectors...

It appears the split barrel / flower pedal type is a more robust design...that is to say, more resistant to the spark damage that results at the instant the power plugs are mated.
Is this a correct observation? Comments? I am aware that there are sparkless connectors...and I may move to that type of a connector. But for now, I have installed a new split barrel/flower petal type connector.

See photos below. Thanks....

Note: This is not a system problem...this connector has been mated/un-mated about 1000 times. Plenty of action, so to speak, and limited life is expected.

-G.G.

Photo #1 Area where connection sparks degraded the metal.


Photo #2 Close-up of the degraded metal fluting pointed out in Photo #1
You can see the end on the left is where the spark occurs during connection.
The metal is totally eaten away by the spark.


Photo #3 Newly purchased split barrel / flower petal type. More robust than the above? Seems to be....


Comments are appreciated.

[Aros]

Does anyone have a crappy livery on this model yet? My word!

[Frank_GER]

Maiden on wednesday, love this plane. 🤗

[Hugh Wiedman]

Thanks Hugh.

Once you reach 60, the eyes really like yellow airplanes.

Don't I know it! That's why I have some yellow on virtually all my planes, if nothing more than at least the wing tips.

[Balsa Bob]

Thanks Hugh.

Once you reach 60, the eyes really like yellow airplanes.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Still have a few more minor detail graphics to add .... but was anxious to fly it. I modified the winglets and the rear of the engine nacelles to make it look like the older B737 that Western Pacific use to fly.
Maiden flight went well .... but I will add a bit more up elevator throw for the next flights. I used a 6S 6000 mah pack, and am happy with that size.

Incredible work, the only problem is that the visibility in the air might be low!

[Wild Man]

WOW Nicely done Simpsons AL-37

[Aros]

Great googlymoogly another outstanding livery! Excellent work!

[Balsa Bob]

Still have a few more minor detail graphics to add .... but was anxious to fly it. I modified the winglets and the rear of the engine nacelles to make it look like the older B737 that Western Pacific use to fly.
Maiden flight went well .... but I will add a bit more up elevator throw for the next flights. I used a 6S 6000 mah pack, and am happy with that size.

[Hugh Wiedman]

That "lake" makes for a scenic backdrop but it's also a scourge. I hope I don't grow an extra finger or ear.

Actually I could use a couple extra fingers on my hands. It seems the 5 I have occasionally do uncontrollable movements on my control sticks now and again. Maybe new ones would work better, assuming they weren't connected to my brain.

[Wild Man]

For added structural strength to the horizontal stab, and rear wing tube I have added a 4 mm carbon fiber rod inside the rear wing tube and the horizontal tube for greater stress factors. I have done this on other planes and it does Increase the structural strength which decreases flex of the surfaces

[xviper]

That "lake" makes for a scenic backdrop but it's also a scourge. No wonder the club has a rowboat, life jacket and chest waders as standard equipment. Oddly, it's really not a lake. It's an effluent pond from a former gas processing plant. They say it's been cleaned up from the "old days" of sulfur production but after I got back from retrieving the 37, my hands and face (from the oar splashing) were itching like crazy. I hope I don't grow an extra finger or ear.