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Thread: Electric Motor Controller

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Aug 2023
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    Electric Motor Controller

    Greetings - my first post on EAA forums!

    Question - I'm looking at purchasing a nice factory built motorglider with a DIY gas to electric motor conversion using a Rotex RET-60. The owner reports that the controller and inverter provided quickly failed. He's tried a couple other brands, same problem.

    Anybody have experience with controllers & inverters and can recommend a reliable source? The installation looks to be very well done but is it possible there are gremlins in the system elsewhere?

    My knowledge of all things electrical wouldn't wet a thimble so suggestions are most welcome.

    thanks!

  2. #2
    rwanttaja's Avatar
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    Jul 2011
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    Seattle
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    2,951
    Paul Dye, Editor at Large for KITPLANES magazine, has just converted a Xenos motorglider to electric. I'd scan through his articles...

    Starting point:

    https://www.kitplanes.com/building-the-exenos/

    Video of first flight:

    https://www.sonexaircraft.com/first-...ul-dye-exenos/

    Ron Wanttaja

  3. #3

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    Aug 2023
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    Thanks, I did a quick scan of the first article and noted that controllers need some firmware adjustments - which requires a rather skilled programmer.

  4. #4

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    Any aversion to reverting the glider to a gas engine considering the e-failures?
    "Don't believe everything you see or read on the internet" - Abraham Lincoln

  5. #5

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    Aug 2023
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    To be honest, all things considered I think I would prefer a gas engine.

    But - since this project is so close to the finish line, if the controller issue can be resolved, the electric motor would be perfectly ok.
    Last edited by Zuniz2; 09-07-2023 at 10:24 AM.

  6. #6
    ironnerd's Avatar
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    Nov 2020
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    Atlanta
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    Quote Originally Posted by rwanttaja View Post
    Paul Dye, Editor at Large for KITPLANES magazine, has just converted a Xenos motorglider to electric. I'd scan through his articles...

    Starting point:

    https://www.kitplanes.com/building-the-exenos/

    Video of first flight:

    https://www.sonexaircraft.com/first-...ul-dye-exenos/

    Ron Wanttaja
    Is it prnounced EX-en-ohs or E-zee-nohs?

    I'm asking for a friend.
    John "J.P." Adams
    EAA 1379403

    I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things.
    – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

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