Needed to add this : One thing to keep in mind when you are testing props with a watt meter is that all brushless motors have a propeller range (usually specified in the motor specs). You can get away with going outside that range slightly, but be careful not to go too big for the motor used as that can cause mid range amps to be excessive over the course of a flight...and a watt meter won't tell you that. As long as you're within the range for the motor...or very close to it, and you have proper cooling for the ESC you should be fine. Example: The change we made in this episode - going from a 10x8 to a 12x6 is within the range for the motor and perfectly fine. Going to a 14x6 is 2 inches beyond the specified range for our motor, and at this prop size range that could be too big for the power combo.

@dutchloveRC

Жыл бұрын

What Meter??? said Bubba lol I did finally got one a couple years back and I almost use it as much as I should! Have a Blessed weekend Adam

@ModelAV8RChannel

Жыл бұрын

@@dutchloveRC You too Joel!

Great video. A lot of useful information presented in a straight forward manor. Thank You

@ModelAV8RChannel

4 ай бұрын

Thanks!

Great information of the trusty Watt Meter, have used mine several times. Jeff in LA USA

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jeff! They are handy...

Thank you for the awesome videos. Great info. I’ve been doing it with trust to weight ratio instead of watts per pounds.

@ModelAV8RChannel

5 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Thanks my friend, never used one, but will get one for sure😎

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy...it will be very useful, and they are fun to play with!

i have 2 watt meters and always watt test it is a must have

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Yes sir...agreed!

Thanks Adam, I have one dos but never fingered out how to use it ....... now if I can just found it .... I can put it to Good use. 🙂

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching Robert! Lol...find it man...they are fun to play with...and useful!

No substitute for brains sir lol 😆 I really got a lot out of this video. I just bought the multimeter, it came last night. So I wanted to get familiar with it and this was exactly what I needed. Well done 👏 thank you . 😊

@ModelAV8RChannel

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Tim! Glad it was helpful.

@think2cre81

Жыл бұрын

@@ModelAV8RChannel I went out in the field today and took the multimeter with me . Did some testing and flying and had some fun . It's been 16 years sense I took these planes out of the attic. Getting them ready to teach my grandkids to fly .

@ModelAV8RChannel

Жыл бұрын

@@think2cre81 Outstanding! I'm glad you had fun and what an awesome thing to do for your grandkids. We need all the young folks in this hobby we can get. Get them off those cell phones and tablets and outside doing something. I like it!

@think2cre81

Жыл бұрын

@@ModelAV8RChannel my thoughts exactly sir . Great minds think alike lol 😆 .

@ModelAV8RChannel

Жыл бұрын

Lol...Yes they do!

I just bought one from Amazon a few days ago 15 dollars ... I got freewing arf t-33 and I’m putting my own motor and esc .. I wanted to make sure my esc could handle my motor .. works really well thanks 👍🏻👍🏻

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching Andy! I'm glad it was helpful. You'll enjoy playing around with your watt meter...so many things you can do with it.

Ahhhh brings back memories from a good flight and then bam, MY TUNDRA WAS ON FIREEEEE. Good use of the photo though, guess my bad misfortune turned into something great!

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Lol...I bet that was interesting! You don't see one catch on fire every day...

I said I was going to watch again ... I'm now confident in my prop and throttle curve for the Da Vinci flyer, I only have a 12amp esc as that's the max the motor is rated for anyhow. The prop was pulling 26 amps with a watts per lb of 252, I only need 100 watts as the model is only 13oz auw, so experimenting I found 23% max throttle gives me 11.9 amps with a watts per lb of 109 watts per lb. Perfect result with nothing likely to catch fire, thanks for an easy to understand explanation. I tried three different props by the way. 👍

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Cliff you have to be careful going too far outside the amp range for an ESC. ESC's actually are working harder...and getting hotter at lower throttle ranges. It is about how much the FET's in the ESC have to restrict current to give you a certain lower throttle amount. Even though the throttle curve is low...the FET's are having to restrict twice the current they are rated to as you started with 26amps. When I went from a 10 x 8 to a 12 x6 I was still in the recommended range for the motor, and my reading at full throttle with no curve was only north of the ESC's rating by about 3 amps. Going to a prop outside the recommended range is fine to a point, but you have to think of the amps you are starting with at full throttle with no curve...that is how many amps/current the FET's in the ESC are being forced to restrict down to your desired level. There is some fudge factor...that ESC can handle more than 12 at the start for sure, but I don't know about 26. That's a lot over. You might want to prop it down more especially considering the limited cooling...or get a 20 to 25 amp ESC.

@CliffHarveyRCPlanes

2 жыл бұрын

@@ModelAV8RChannel Yes, a bigger esc would be a better choice I guess, thanks for the info, cheers.

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes Sorry Cliff I guess I could have went into that more in detail in the video, but I figured if I covered ESC's it would be an hour long. A throttle curve can keep you from over amping it on the high end, but oddly enough it can't save the FET's in the mid range if the starting amps were too high.

Awesome video thank you for such a fantastic explanation now I have a better use of my Whatt meter

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much! Glad it was helpful.

Very informative video.

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Doug! Hopefully it will help some folks!

Thank you🙏🏻

@ModelAV8RChannel

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Brilliant informational video Adam, great explanation. Great flying at the end as well 👍🏻

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Chris! Just want to get more modelers doing some testing for themselves...its actually fun!

This is the reason I started watching you! The first video I saw of yours, you were using a watt meter. I was into flying nitro for a few years in the 90's, then got back into it in the early 2000's and electric was just getting started... we were using rc car brushed motors and cobalt magnet motors that we had to use a watt meter as you described to properly prop and esc the plane. Fast forward and I got back into the hobby a couple years ago and most of these KZread eflight experts you see on here don't know what a watt is. I asked one guy through patreon if he used a watt meter to see if he could get better performance by propping up or down with aftermarket props vs the stock prop. His answer was... why, the directions tell you what size prop to use. I have asked other guys similar questions in the comments and received similar answers. I still have my 20 year old watt meter and had to make adapters because I still have Dean's connectors on it...lol. Thanks for your well thought out content, I always enjoy watching what you and your wife put together.

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Man that is great to hear! We really work hard on these, and we so appreciate you letting us know you dig the content! You are right...most modelers coming up today are products of the AS3X, SAFE, SMART way of doing things. All that tech is great to a point, but there is SO much they don't learn. Not knocking them...just trying to inform them. The more tools in your box and knowledge between your ears the more fun and success you have in the hobby...no matter what you fly. It amazes some of the guys I help when they find out I can make their BNF plane fly better than the manual can...

This video has me all amped up to go flyin! Great info Mr. AV8R! Spot on!...

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome D Rail! Lets go...

I have a watt meter but now I've definitely learnt a few more applications for it! I loved that Cub STOL take-off at the end ... really looked like something from a Trent Palmer video!

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

That is awesome! Really glad it was helpful. Love watching Trent, and that Carbon Cub was inspired by Cory Robin and all the Flying Cowboys...we will have an episode on it this year...hopefully sooner than later! The WX is getting us right now.

Great video Adam. I have a watt meter similar to the one you have in the video but did not know how to fully use it. I will have to get back into the shop and play around with it now. GREAT job with the explanation.

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jack! Glad this was helpful buddy...watt meters are invaluable once you get used to working with them.

Great video, definitely a need to have equipment to have when flying electric.. 👍👍

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy! Yep...got to have one.

Very detailed and interesting information, about how an RC Airplane electrical system works, and about watt meters. Some of it is over my head, as a 60's High School dropout, LOL!

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! Nah...if you can do the FPV stuff a watt meter is a walk in the park...

DUUUUUDE! Yet another killer video from the Team! Seriously...such great information, and I'll tell you, so much of that was centered on the prop...and rightfully so! Deciding between diameter and pitch is so much of it. The only thing I could add is that (usually) 2 bladed props with 50% diameter to pitch ratios (say a 12X6, or something similar) will unload quite a bit in the air, sometimes as much as 40% of the amp draw! It's amazing science, just like you said. Of course, multi-blade props are a whole 'nother kettle of fish! Also....wait...WHAT!?! You have WIG-WAGS on your Carbon Cub?!?! SICK!!! Great job brother, to you and Heidi!

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you brother! We really appreciate it man! Yes sir...I DO have wig wags on my Carbon Cub! Episode on that coming soon if the wx will cooperate! Lol!

Great video and very well explained Adam!! I will get myself one!! Have often thought about getting one as I know how useful they are for electric setups!! When I do get one I will have a go at optimising my Fms PA-18 Super cub for 4s!! Thanks for giving all that great info and explaining it very clearly 😄👍

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ian! Great tool to have, and with all the birds in your hangar...you'll be playing with it for a month! Awesome!

The economic utility alone is immense. All those escs and motors sitting around the shop can now be accurately and SAFELY mated to future airframes. Thank you for the master class in electric systems of rc airplanes. Thank you for the video Adam.

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Michael! We really appreciate your support of our channel. Very glad it was helpful!

Great video Adam great tips already found them on ebay I'm getting one

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Lee, and that is outstanding! You will love having it...such a useful tool for your shop!

Great stuff 👍I found a used cessna aerobat I'm going to have to buy after seeing yours. Too cool to pass up

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jake! Man...that is too cool. Great little plane. You will enjoy it!

@jakeclauson9863

2 жыл бұрын

@Model AV8R 👍iv also been working on building a 3d printed plane, and I'm about at the point where I need to find a motor. I was kinda lost trying to decide what it needs but I feel much more confident after learning all these tips and tricks. Thanks! Keep em coming!

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

That is great Jake! So glad we can help! I look forward to hearing...er...reading how your projects come out! Happy flying my friend!

Awesome information. My watt meter just got delivered yesterday from Amazon.

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jesse! Awesome tool to have in your shop. Opens a lot of options!

Well that was worth waiting for Adam, I would never have thought of sending the Watt Meter aloft, I'll have to watch again though, I'm cutting balsa with one eye and trying to digest with the other 👍😁

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Cliff! Pay attention to the DR1! You can watch later! Lol.

Wattmeters are great. XT60 connectors are much better than Deans. The blades on a prop with a pitch that’s greater than 67% of its diameter will be stalled below a certain airspeed. So for me, that’s the dividing line between a speed prop and a power prop. The pitch of a 12x8 prop is 67% of its diameter. Also, you can use the diameter to pitch ratio (D:P). A 12x8 has a D:P ratio of 1.5:1. A prop with a D:P ratio greater than 1.5:1 is a power prop and one with a D:P ratio less than 1.5:1 would be a speed prop. I use the D:P ratio since I calculate the pitch speed first and then multiply the pitch by 1.5 to find the smallest diameter that I should use to keep the blades from being stalled at zero airspeed, such as powering out of a hover. Also, I have seen where an ESC will get hotter when run at partial throttle at its rated current than it will at full throttle. And one other thing. What happened to the pitch speed when you went from a 10x8 to a 12x6 at 85% throttle?

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Man anything is better than Deans...lol. Airscrew science is an interesting subject for sure...seems like you have a good grasp on it. We touched on it briefly and suggested its a good thing to study by design. We did this for modelers that either don't know what a watt meter is or know but didn't really know all the things you can accomplish with one. We knew we were throwing a ton of info at them as it is. D:P ratios and such could be another whole video...we just wanted to get people on board with getting a watt meter and learning to use it. Actually flew the finished (finally) Albatros project today...flew awesome and is powered perfectly with the new scale prop. We will have an episode on it soon. Thanks for watching!

Great video with lots of info as always, Adam. I've been shopping on Amazon for a watt meter and many of them have reviews that mention sometimes great inaccuracy. I'm wondering, if there is an easy way to test or calibrate. I see in your video that yours are older and I'm sure they were better quality. Not sure of a good quality, and accurate one to buy.

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Joe! Try the GT Power watt meter from Motion RC. Highly rated. You can find electronic calibration services in your area, and you can also get two and occasionally check them against each other.

Very informative. I have an ask. I see you were using a throttle curve. I have only seen one why and how to use a throttle curve for rc planes. I too have a spectrum. Thanks.

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Lionel! We can absolutely do that in the future. That is a great idea. Thanks for watching!

Current peak, voltage peak and power peak only shows for few seconds under load, but soon as I release throttle, it goes back to 0. Please help

@ModelAV8RChannel

Күн бұрын

On most Watt meters there is a scrolling reading that changes after you finish a test. It will scroll between the highest reading on volts, watts, and amps as long as it is still plugged up to the battery. On mine that is the bottom left reading. We cover the display at 3:05 in the video.

Hi Adam as you know if fly stunt plane you have rates high and put in expo. If fly fighter usually fly low rate with expo. Now I see you fly both and many others how do make sure the plane got perfect rates and expo for your flying style. what I am doing is getting experience flyers setting model up to there style and flying and landing even if not got my perfect inputs for me but I get use to model controls and fly it. I am getting use to setting model up but not fully sure set up for best performance. Perhaps could explain in short show or it's just something you can tell me how do learn your own flying style to set model up hopefully know what mean cheers

@ModelAV8RChannel

2 жыл бұрын

Lee you're going about it the right way in my opinion. Getting an experienced modeler (a great pilot too) to set your stuff up is the way to go at first. Set up is half about making the plane capable of what you want, and half about making that feel good to you. You have to develop a certain amount of proficiency...skills that you can repeat correctly every time. At that point you can begin to think about how it feels to you...thats to sensitive or not sensitive enough. How will adjusting throw affect what you want...how much expo is correct for that amount of throw. Since feel is such a big part of set up...it is a personal thing. What would be a perfect set up for me may or may not be ideal for you. I have to really remember I fly a lot of sensitive, very aerobatic planes, and as a result flying smooth comes natural for me. So when I'm setting up a plane for a pilot with much less skill than I have if I don't keep that in mind I'll hand him a plane that feels great to me, but is way too responsive for him. I also don't use rates typically. I set the plane up to fly the way I want with full deflection and enough expo to settle down the sensitivity somewhat. It has never made sense to me as an experienced pilot to change the way the plane flies mid flight. Changing deflections with a switch changes the way the plane flies. Why fly an entire flight on high rates, and then change the characteristics you've just got used to for the whole flight when its time to land it? Rates are fine at first when you're learning to get used to different sensitivities, but once you're experienced and proficient it just doesn't make sense to me to change the planes characteristics mid flight. That said lots of experienced pilots use rates. Another personal choice. Best thing is get an experienced pilot to set yours up enough to fly decently well, and practice a lot. Practice smart too. Don't get to where you can occasionally do something well and move to the next thing. Master that one thing...then move to the next. You'll develop the feel you need to set up your own plane much faster that way.

@leecollins9112

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Adam great advice

Can you show how to connect the watt meter for 10s? There a source and load, what goes where?

@ModelAV8RChannel

3 ай бұрын

Yes. You connect the meter between the battery and the esc...the side of the series connector that has the positive wire coming off the esc. That will give you the total amps / watts.

Is there a formula or general calculation that covers the amount of amps pulled when unloaded in the air vs testing on the bench? I know the most accurate way to find out would be to fly it with the power meter in the plane but the one I have is a bit bulky and heavy with the connectors and all. Just curious here as to how much of a difference there is especially when your close to the esc or motor ratings. Thanks.

@ModelAV8RChannel

9 ай бұрын

Hey Rob. Unfortunately there isn't. There are too many variables. The prop diameter, pitch, and air density will all have an affect on the results. With a propeller driven plane you can count on the reading going down several amps at least. With some EDF's however, due to inlet and thrust tube variables the reading can go up in amps versus a bench test. That is what happened to RC Geek with that beautiful B-58 unfortunately. When you're close to the ratings of the ESC and Motor, you can count on enough unload (with a Prop driven plane) to give you a safe margin in most cases. The only exception may be if you are in very hot, humid weather and the ESC doesn't have adequate cooling. This is why I'm really starting to embrace the whole Spektrum/Avian ESC/SMART Telemetry stuff. You can see the ESC FET temperature and amps, or set up a switch to give you a audible reading when you want...and you can do it on the fly. I dig that...a lot. No more guess work, and that is why I've learned enough to tell you with a prop plane you're probably good. That is consistently what I see when I use the telemetry this way. It's also useful to place your ESC on a build. If there isn't enough cooling you'll know, and you can either move it, adjust or add cooling flow, or both.

@RSchwara1

9 ай бұрын

@@ModelAV8RChannel I'm pretty careful when it comes to prop/motor/esc selection and the power meter does give a good indication of what is going on along with watching temps during/after flight time. Good call on using telemetry temp alerts, that was one I hadn't thought of! Thanks again!

Can I connect two 6s batteries at the same time to check a 12 s setup?

@ModelAV8RChannel

Жыл бұрын

Yes. You connect the meter between the battery and the esc...the side of the series connector that has the positive wire coming off the esc. That will give you the total amps / watts.

*👍класс и привет от тренера по футболу!!!!!*