❑
42) Now is a good time to operate the motor and check the
direction of rotation. Do not do this with a propeller attached to
the motor! If you need to reverse the rotation, swap two of the
leads to the brushless motor and recheck the rotation.
MOUNT THE COWLING
Both glow, gas, and electric motor users resume assembly
here.
❑
43) Mount the cowling on the fuselage with four M3 x 10mm
Screws. Notice that the holes for the four cowl mounting screws
are already pre-drilled in the cowling - two on each side.
a) First test fit the cowling on the fuselage. Make sure you
have adequate clearance between the front of the cowl
and the back of the propeller, and that the prop shaft is
centered in the hole. Use low tack tape to hold the
cowling in place for the next step.
b) Use a 5/64" or #45 bit to drill a pilot hole for the top left
cowl mounting screw. Center the drill in the hole in the
cowling and drill into the fuselage side. Install an
M3 x 10mm screw in the pilot hole - do not over-tighten
the screw.
c) Recheck the position of the cowling and make any
adjustments needed to get it back in position.
d) Now drill another pilot hole for the upper screw on the
other side of the cowling. Install the screw.
e) Repeat this process to install the two bottom cowl
mounting screws. Remove all the tape.
f) Remove the cowling from the fuselage and set it aside.
Harden the cowl mount holes in the fuselage by putting
2-3 drops of thin CA into each hole. This will harden the
threads. When you are sure the glue is dry you can
remount the cowling.
COOLING IS IMPORTANT
Regardless of what type of power system you are using (glow,
gas, or electric), it is very important to make sure you have
plenty of cooling air going into and out of the cowling. While
letting cooling air into the cowling is vitally important, it is always
recommended to have more air exit area than inlet area to
create a positive air flow through the cowling. This creates an
actual suction effect, drawing the heated air out of the cowling
so that more cool air can come in. This positive air flow keeps
your motor running cool. Note that there is a generous sized
cutout at the bottom rear edge of the cowling for air exit.
You may choose to make some additional holes in your cowling
to ensure proper airflow. Perhaps an opening at the front of the
cowl in front of the motor or cylinder head will be needed. Or in
the case of electric motors you sometimes see slots in the top
of the cowl right over the motor. This will draw air in from the
top and pull it down over the motor and ESC.
A Dremel
®
Tool with an assortment of bits is without a doubt the
best tool to use for making cutout in the fiberglass cowling.
However, if you do not have access to such a tool, you can cut
the opening with a drill, a hobby knife, and a sanding block.
First first drill a series of almost touching 1/8" holes inside the
pattern lines; then use the knife to cut through the connecting
material between each hole; and finally finish the edges of the
opening with the file or a sanding block.
If using a receiver battery pack the on/off switch can be
mounted on the outside of the fuselage, using the switch
mounting hardware that came with your system. There are
holes for either a standard switch or a multi switch/charge block
already pre-cut in the fuselage sides, underneath the covering
material.
Decide where you are going to mount your receiver, and secure
it to the structure. If using a gas or glow engine be sure to wrap
the receiver in soft protective foam, held in place with tape or
rubber bands.
Connect all the servo leads to the appropriate channels in the
receiver, including the aileron "Y" harness and the switch
connector if applicable. Test the radio system to make sure
everything works correctly. The twin cable ends of the aileron
Y-harness (or dual aileron servo extension cords if using that
method) must be accessible from the top of the cabin.. We
placed our receiver on the floor of the fuselage between the
servo tray and the battery/fuel tank bay.
Be sure to follow your radio manufacturer's recommendations
on routing your receiver antenna.
20
COMPLETE THE RADIO INSTALLATION
