Efficient motor needed for large solar aircraft

adsala · 05-11-2009, 08:14 PM

I am looking into winding a low power brushless motor to fly a solar powered aircraft. Well, actually, I am working on a team to do this.

The aircraft should come out to less than 6 lbs. A large wing of 140" or so. I do not need a high speed aircraft or a high rpm motor. Perhaps using a large diameter high pitch prop turning low rpm for slow flight would work. There are a few configurations that can be done with the solar cell array that I am using from running at 15v with 4amps to 7.5 volts at 8amps. Not sure which will work best yet. I have been reading up a little on motor theory on the forum but not sure where to start for winding and experimenting with my own motor design.

I am wondering if a good start would be to have a higher turn motor? I know the resistances goes up with higher turns but this would draw lower current. I am thinking that maybe having a higher torque motor verses a high RPM motor might be the way to go.

I was also wondering if there is such a thing as high efficiency low resistance magnet wire? Any optimizations that I could use will help. Like using the best magnets, wire, propeller, efficient controller, gearing, etc.

All comments welcome and thanks.

Dean Sala

dsny · 05-20-2009, 10:23 AM

Sala
take a look at the the Scorpion motor kits on the GB website;
http://www.gobrushless.com/shop/inde...ushless+ki ts
the microDAN magnet wire is the best wire available.
Dan

adsala · 05-20-2009, 11:38 AM

Thanks. Microdan is how I found this forum. I have seen the motor kits. This is why I asked my questions. I have made a little headway and I am going to use Motocalc to help with some estimations.

05-11-2009, 08:14 PM	#1
adsala New Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2	Efficient motor needed for large solar aircraft I am looking into winding a low power brushless motor to fly a solar powered aircraft. Well, actually, I am working on a team to do this. The aircraft should come out to less than 6 lbs. A large wing of 140" or so. I do not need a high speed aircraft or a high rpm motor. Perhaps using a large diameter high pitch prop turning low rpm for slow flight would work. There are a few configurations that can be done with the solar cell array that I am using from running at 15v with 4amps to 7.5 volts at 8amps. Not sure which will work best yet. I have been reading up a little on motor theory on the forum but not sure where to start for winding and experimenting with my own motor design. I am wondering if a good start would be to have a higher turn motor? I know the resistances goes up with higher turns but this would draw lower current. I am thinking that maybe having a higher torque motor verses a high RPM motor might be the way to go. I was also wondering if there is such a thing as high efficiency low resistance magnet wire? Any optimizations that I could use will help. Like using the best magnets, wire, propeller, efficient controller, gearing, etc. All comments welcome and thanks. Dean Sala

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05-20-2009, 10:23 AM	#2
dsny Gobrushless.com MicroDAN Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: north carolina Posts: 29	Sala take a look at the the Scorpion motor kits on the GB website; http://www.gobrushless.com/shop/inde...ushless+ki ts the microDAN magnet wire is the best wire available. Dan

05-20-2009, 11:38 AM	#3
adsala New Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2	Thanks. Microdan is how I found this forum. I have seen the motor kits. This is why I asked my questions. I have made a little headway and I am going to use Motocalc to help with some estimations.