F3G - Technic

Power-Trains & Motors

In the past 2-3 years, various drive configurations have emerged which conform to the F3G regulations and can be used as a package without complex configuration and test work.

Below is the list of these drive packages. The information is partly from the pilots. I mark the drive configurations where I personally did tests and evaluations.

Some additional practical notes

A deviation in the diameter of the spinner can and will lead to different performance values of the drive, as this changes the pitch and diameter of the prop.
Likewise, the dimensions of the same propellers from different manufacturers can lead to different performance values. In terms of performance, a VM 17x10 is not identical to a GM 16x10
When choosing a drive configuration, the physical size (length, height, width) of the battery should be considered. Due to the different shapes and cross-sections of the e-fuselages, a specific battery can easily fit and be exchanged in one model, while there is not enough space in another model.

Update May 2024

Based on the 2023 F3G season and preparations for 2024, the Leomotion 3031-2900V2 as well as the Mega 16/30/1.5s engine are probably the most widely used engine configurations in F3G.

Nevertheless, we continue to experiment diligently and there are many different combinations that are used successfully. The benchmark is (still) 370 meters take-off altitude at 350Wmin/30 seconds and 3 kilograms model weight.

What is the difference between the Leomotion drive and the Mega drive?

The Leomotion drive comes with the gearbox already fitted, so it's ready to go straight away without any major work. What I also like is the gear wheel milled onto the motor shaft. It seems very robust to me. The challenge with the "Leo" is the higher weight, which usually requires lead in the rear and the possible customs and transportation costs if it is ordered directly from Leomotion in Switzerland.
The Mega has become very popular because it can keep up in terms of performance and efficiency and is cheaper and approx. 30-40 grams lighter (in conjunction with the Reisenauer gearbox). This usually saves the lead in the tail, but you have to mount and glue the gearbox and output gear yourself. I've never done this before (I always get ready-made drives from friends) but it shouldn't be a big problem/effort.

Propellers

One issue is the propellers, especially the VM (Vladimir) 16x8.5 and 17x10.
I had big problems with 17x10 VMs bought (produced?) in 2023. There seems to have been changes in production so that the ones I bought in 2023 no longer performed as expected. In reality, 20% of the height was missing. The usual dealers do not currently have any VM 17x10 in their store. Unfortunately there is no information whether this propeller will be available again in the future.

The same problem occurred with a set of VM 16x8.5. In contrast, a VM 16x8.5 purchased in April 2024 works perfectly.

As an alternative, I am currently using the GM Competition series successfully. The spinner is even more aerodynamic than the VM, but depending on the fuselage, it can be problematic whether the blades can be folded/attached cleanly to the fuselage. So try it out first.

As a rule of thumb, I always choose the GM Competition one "size" smaller in diameter - i.e. where the VM 17x10 fitted, I now use a GM 16x10 Competition. This fits very well with the drives I have tested and used.

Leomotion 3031-2900V2 (tested and used)

Motor: Leomotion 3031-2900V2
Gearbox: Leomotion 6,7:1 (6 mm Welle)
Spinner: VMPro 30mm / Alternative GM Competition
Centerpiece: Special integrated in VMPro spinner
Prop: VM 17x10 / Alternative GM 16x10 Competition
Battery: SLS XTRON 50C, 5S-1000mAH (2S+3S seriell)
ESC: YGE 65LVT (BEC)
Logger: Altis V4
Sensor: Altis Power Sensor

(Source: Leomotion)

Mega 16/30/1,5s, (Hans-Peter Haase)

- - Motor: Mega 16/30/1,5s
  - Gearbox: Reisenauer 1:5
  - Spinner: VM / Alternative GM Competition
  - Centerpiece: integrated into the spinner
  - Prop: VM 17x10 / Alternative GM 16x10 Competition
  - Battery: Turnigy Graphene 1000mAh, 75C (1x3S, 1x2S in seriel)
  - ESC: YGE 65LVT
  - Logger: Altis V4+
  - Sensor: Altis Power Sensor
    
    Over the winter, Hans-Peter has developed a new power train configuration using the Mega 16/30/1,5s

(Source: Hans-Peter Haase)

Leomotion 3031-2450 (personaly tested and in use)

- - Motor: Leomotion 3031-2450
  - Gearbox: Leomotion 6,7:1 (6 mm shaft)
  - Spinner: GM 36x6, diameter 36 mm
  - Centerpiece: integrated into the spinner, distance 34mm
  - Prop: GM 18x10
  - Battery: SLS Magnum 45C, 6S-1000mAH (2x3S seriell)
  - ESC: YGE 65LVT (BEC)
  - Logger: Altis V4
  - Sensor: Altis Power Sensor

(Source: Leomotion)

Schambeck Powerline 1520/10

- - Motor: Schambeck Powerline 1520/10 TURBO F3G
  - Gearbox: 6,75:1
  - Spinner: VMPro
  - Centerpiece: integrated into the spinner
  - Prop: VM 116x8,5
  - Battery: HK HV Bolt 70C 4S 1800mAh oder 1300mAh
  - ESC: YGE 65LVT
  - Logger: Altis V4+
  - Sensor: Altis Power Sensor

(Source: Schambeck-Luftsporttechnik)

Tenschock 1530-10T

- - Motor: Tenschock 1530-10T
  - Gearbox: 5,0:1
  - Spinner: GM
  - Centerpiece: integrated into the spinner
  - Prop: GM 16x10
  - Battery: Tattu 100C 4S 1300mAh
  - ESC:
  - Logger:
  - Sensor:

(Source: Reisenauer Präzisionsantriebe)

Tenschock 1530-9T

- - Motor: Tenschock 1530-9T
  - Gearbox: 5,0:1
  - Spinner: GM
  - Centerpiece: integrated into the spinner
  - Prop: GM 15x10
  - Battery: HotLips 100C 4S 1300mAh
  - ESC:
  - Logger:
  - Sensor:

(Source: Reisenauer Präzisionsantriebe)

Polytec 480-27 (Top drive train for approx. € 250,- from Hans-Peter Haase)

- - Motor: Polytec 480-27
  - Gearbox: Reisenauer 1:5
  - Spinner: VM / Alternative GM Competition
  - Centerpiece: integrated into the spinner
  - Prop: VM 16x8,5 / Alternative GM Competition
  - Battery: Turnigy Graphene 1000mAh, 75C (1x3S, 1x2S in seriel)
  - ESC: YEP 60A
  - Logger: Altis V4+
  - Sensor: Altis Power Sensor

(Source: Hans-Peter Haase)

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