How to Switch From Fuel to Electric Motors in RC Airplanes
- 1). Dismount the gas engine from the RC airplane. Drain the fuel completely from the engine and tank and dispose of according to local environmental regulations. Disconnect the gas engine from the electronic speed controller and unscrew the engine from the mount holding it in place. Remove the engine and the fuel tank along with the fuel hoses.
- 2). Remove the mount from the firewall separating the engine from the airplane by unscrewing the mount from the bolt holes holding it in place.
- 3). Place the new mount against the firewall and screw it into place using the bolts left over from the gas engine mount if possible. If the holes do not match, remove the bolts and fill the holes with model putty. Allow the putty to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions and then screw in new anchor bolts for the new mount and attach the mount to the new bolt holes.
- 4). Screw the electric motor onto the new mount and run the three motor cables into the cavity of the plane.
- 5). Place the battery pack into the plane's cavity and secure it into place using plastic ties.
- 6). Connect the cables from the motor to the electric speed controller. Place heat shrink tubing over the motor wire and slide down the wire exposing the connector. Connect with the receiver end of the electric speed controller.
- 7). Connect the battery to the electric speed controller.
- 8). Mount the prop securely to the motor, and test the engine with the remote for correct wiring. The prop should turn in the correct direction, counterclockwise when viewed from the nose. If the prop is moving clockwise, disconnect and switch any two motor wires.
- 9). Pull the tubing down over the engine wiring connections, covering them. Apply heat to the tubing using a hairdryer, shrinking the tubing tightly into place to help support the connection and provide protection from moisture.
- 10
Balance the airplane by holding it from beneath at the airplane's center of gravity, located one-third the width from the front of the airplane's wing. Place an index finger under each wing about three inches from the center and see if the plane sits level, or tilts only slightly nose down. If the tilt is rear downward or heavily nose downward, shift the battery pack within the aircraft to balance it out, or add lead ballast in the form of fishing weights to the aircraft for balance. Balance the roll of the aircraft as well by tying a string to the nose and start of the tail of the airplane. Hold the string in the center and note which wing the airplane tilts towards if it does not lie level. Counterbalance the tilt by adding self-stick lead stickers purchased from a hobby store to the opposite wing until the plane lies steady.