EDF Testing

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Rob
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EDF Testing

Unread post by Rob » Sat Jun 06, 2015 12:56 pm

I ran some tests on the 70mm EDFs I have lying around the house (turns out I had far too many squirrelled away) as I'm going to need one for a new plane.
I kind of suspected, and the tests have confirmed, that the more blades in an EDF the lower the efficiency (using the same motor, esc, and battery).
This mirrors what happens when you add blades to a standard propeller set up and why most of us use two blade props.
The Lander blew away the competition as far as thrust per watts, very nice fans, Hobby King also sells them as Alloy DPS (arrived in Lander packaging).
I would also like to test an Eflite or HET 70mm set up. If someone has one they would like tested just drop it off and I'll update the list. Not saying my tests are absolutely accurate but as I use the same test bench, batteries, esc, is will be a fair comparison of EDF systems.
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Last edited by Rob on Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:11 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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bdg
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Re: EDF Testing

Unread post by bdg » Sat Jun 06, 2015 12:58 pm

Robert,

That is quite a comprehensive list! Interesting results!

How are you measuring thrust?

Brian

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JohnOSullivan
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Re: EDF Testing

Unread post by JohnOSullivan » Sat Jun 06, 2015 1:19 pm

Although I don't fly EDF, it is nice to see some practical bench tests on various setups.
I have been doing some similar testing on some Free Flight electric motors and various batteries and props and find them quite useful.
John
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Rob
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Re: EDF Testing

Unread post by Rob » Sat Jun 06, 2015 2:22 pm

An electronic scale with a built in hold feature, the EDF is on a wheeled cart that pulls the scale. Very repeatable, get the same number within .01 kg using the same set up and fresh battery.
Interestingly the Lander comes in almost exactly as advertised (1.38kg).
http://brchobbies.com/catalog/product_i ... cts_id=656

The HK metal comes in lower than advertised (1.34kg printed on the side of the motor, this is not on their site any more) .

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retiredVTT
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Re: EDF Testing

Unread post by retiredVTT » Sat Jun 06, 2015 3:50 pm

quote, " that the more blades in an EDF the lower the efficiency " ...however, the nicer the sound!

The original edf sent with the 4S powered Squall had only 3 blades, the 3S model had 5 blades.

The sound everybody wants now comes from the 10 and 12 blade units, but as you say, you pay dearly for that sound as these units are drawing upwards of 100 amps at full throttle. Freewing increased the ESC value from 100 amp to 130 amp in their version 2 of the Stinger90.


Bill
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RocketManRC
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Re: EDF Testing

Unread post by RocketManRC » Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:54 pm

Very interesting Robert! Can you post some pictures of your test setup?
Rick MacDonald
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Rob
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Re: EDF Testing

Unread post by Rob » Tue Jun 09, 2015 11:21 am

Will put some pictures on this evening. Not pretty but works. Greg dropped by and we tried the 12 Blade Change Sun with a different 2650 mAH 6S battery that was slightly overcharged. It drew 1250 Watts and 1.65 kg static thrust. Chews up the power but pulls hard, surprisingly the HK motor only got slightly warm after about a minute on full throttle since it's only rated at 900 Watts.

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Entropist
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Re: EDF Testing

Unread post by Entropist » Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:23 am

Hi Rob,
I found this article some time back and had lost the link. I'm sure you'll find it interesting, especially the distinction between static and dynamic thrust:
http://southamptonmac.org.uk/doc/RS_EDF ... ice_v5.pdf

And check the summary by the same author, 2nd and 4th posts in this thread:
http://www.modelflying.co.uk/forums/pos ... p?th=56241


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Rob
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Re: EDF Testing

Unread post by Rob » Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:21 pm

Interesting articles. Bench testing is basically just a way to compare the motor esc combinations under identical conditions to see which give the most thrust for the least watts. They're not very efficient but the 10 blade fans sure sound nice. :D

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steve
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Re: EDF Testing

Unread post by steve » Tue Jun 30, 2015 12:07 pm

Can you test this fan unit for me Rob? I am working on a large project :) :)
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