Great Planes RimFire 63 User Manual

63MM BRUSHLESS
OUTRUNNER MOTOR

the current in check. If a higher voltage battery is replaced by a lower volt­age battery, the size of the propeller can be increased to keep the motor at
its rated current.

Another possibility to fine tune the power system’s performance is to use
another motor with higher kV to increase the current or a lower kV to lower
the current.

ACCESSORIES

2

LI-POLY BATTERIES (LIPO)

4

Congratulations, you have just purchased one of the RimFire 63mm
power system components. All the components are sold separately to
allow you to customize your power system to your airplane. The
components needed to assemble your complete RimFire 63mm
power system are: RimFire 63mm motor, propeller, propeller adapters
and brushless speed controls. This instruction sheet explains how to
determine what you will need and how to assemble each component.

MOTOR

1

61.5mm

63mm

24mm

24mm

8mm

A

B

C

D

E

F

A Great Planes® Pro™ Thread Locking Compound (GPMR6060)

B Standoff Brushless Motor Mount X-Large (GPMG1270)

C 4mm/6mm Female Bullet Adapter (GPMM3118)
D 6mm/4mm Female Bullet Adapter (GPMM3119)
E 6mm Bullet Connector Male (GPMM3116)
F 6mm Bullet Connector Female (GPMM3117)

Number of Cells

Batteries can be connected in series (S) or in parallel (P). A LiPo
battery is advertised by voltage and capacity where each cell carries

3.7 volts. A 4S LiPo battery would be 4x 3.7V or 14.8V. The capacity
is listed in milli-amp hours or mAh, so a 5300mAh battery can
discharge a maximum of 5300 milliamp-hours or 5.3 amp-hours.
Please also be aware of the battery’s discharge current delivery
capability, or C-rating. A 25C, 5300mAh battery will deliver 132.5A of
current regardless of voltage.

For the most up-to-date list of LiPo batteries, check out the ElectriFly
web site at: www.electrifly.com

Stock # Voltage Capacity Weight

GPMP0540 7.4V (2S) 3350mAh oz (188g)
GPMP0541 11.1V (3S) 3350mAh oz (275g)
GPMP0542 14.8V (4S) 3350mAh oz (347g)
GPMP0543 18.5V (5S) 3350mAh oz (435g)
GPMP0560 7.4V (2S) 5300mAh oz (291g)
GPMP0561 11.1V (3S) 5300mAh oz (426g)
GPMP0562 14.8V (4S) 5300mAh oz (555g)
GPMP0563 18.5V (5S) 5300mAh oz (697g)

ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL (ESC)

5

6.6

9.7

12.2

15.3

10.3

15.4

19.6

24.6

Type

25C LiPo
25C LiPo
25C LiPo
25C LiPo
25C LiPo
25C LiPo
25C LiPo
25C LiPo

24mm

3mm Mounting

Screw

RimFire 1.60 (63-62-250) (GPMG4795)

The RimFire motors are labeled to provide the most information at a
glance. For example: The RimFire 1.60 (63-62-250) is 63mm diameter,
62mm long and has a kV (rpm-per-volt) of 250.

Motor Output Shaft Diameter and Length: 8x24mm [0.32"x0.96"]
Weight: 628g [25.1oz.]
Input Voltage: 33.3 – 44.4V
Max. Surge Current: 72A
Max. Surge Watts: 3200W

Understanding Motors

kV (rpm/volt): This is a number that gets thrown around quite a bit
when talking electrics and it is important to know what it is. kV is the
number of rpm a motor will spin per each volt applied (rpm/volt)
under no load.

This means that a motor with a kV of 1000 when connected to a 12V
battery will try to spin at 12,000rpm (1000x12) under no load.
Likewise a 3500kV motor will try to spin at 42,000rpm (3500x12)
under no load.

When a propeller is attached to the motor, the motor will try to spin
the prop at the rated kV. Depending on the diameter and pitch of the
propeller (the larger the diameter or higher the pitch, the harder it is
to spin), the motor’s current draw can be increased or decreased.
There are meters available from your hobby dealer that measure
current and voltage.

Because every motor has a maximum current it can take based on its
design and cooling ability, the maximum size of propeller that can be
used with each motor can be determined. If the propeller is too large,
the motor will spin at a much lower rpm than its rated kV, causing it
to draw a lot of current and overheat. If the propeller/fan is too small,
it will require little effort (current) to turn the prop at the rated kV.

Ideally the motor should be matched with a propeller that causes the
motor to draw 80-100% of its rated maximum constant current. Once
a power system is set up, it can be fine-tuned by adjusting the
propeller size and measuring the amount of current the motor is
drawing.

Please note that the kV of a motor does not change with voltage, but
if a higher voltage is applied to the motor, it will try to spin the same
propeller at a higher rpm. This will cause the motor to draw more
current and possibly exceed the maximum rated current of the motor.
So, if a battery with lower voltage is replaced with one with a higher
voltage, it is recommended that a smaller propeller be used to keep

PROPELLERS

3

There is a wide selection of propellers available for electric use. The
RimFire 1.60 (63-62-250) motor uses high performance glow/gas props
such as the Zinger wood props. The larger the propeller used, the more
current your motor will draw. The smaller the propeller, the less current
the motor will draw.

Shown are a few of the recommended props. Due to the large range of
propellers and the constant addition of new sizes, visit our web sites at
www.electrifly.com and www.greatplanes.com for the most up-to-date
listing of props.

ZINQ1103 16x8 Wood Propeller ZINQ1402 20x8 Wood Propeller
ZINQ1202 18x6 Wood Propeller ZINQ1403 20x10 Wood Propeller
ZINQ1203 18x8 Wood Propeller

An ESC is basically the device that controls your motor through your
radio system. Never run any RimFire motors with a brushed ESC. It will
not work and you may damage both the motor and the ESC. Always use
a brushless ESC. ElectriFly offers the Silver Series SS-80 Brushless

ESC (GPMM1860) or the Silver Series SS-100 Brushless ESC
(GPMM1870) that work well with the RimFire 1.60 (63-62-250) motor.

The SS-80 and SS-100 ESCs come with 6mm female bullet connectors
and require an adapter (GPMM3119) to connect to the RimFire 1.60
(63-62-250). Also, these ESCs come with a Deans® Ultra Plug®
battery connector that matches the connectors that are found on most
batteries that it will use.

DETERMINE WHAT YOU NEED TO BUILD YOUR POWER SYSTEM

6

If you know the approximate weight of your airplane, including the
motor and battery, and the performance you want from it, answer the
questions below to determine the correct power system for your
plane. You may need to make more than one calculation using
different props and battery combinations. See the battery section for
some of the battery weights for the suggested batteries.

1. Perform the following calculation to determine the wattage required:
If you expect trainer-like performance, then multiply 75 x

•

Airplane Weight (lbs)

If you expect aerobatic or high speed performance, then

•

multiply 100 x Airplane Weight (lbs)

If you expect 3D or extreme performance, multiply 150 x

•

Airplane Weight (lbs)

2. The number you get is the minimum wattage you will need for your

plane to perform as you wish.

3. Select a LiPo battery voltage within the recommended range of the

motor. Keep in mind that voltage affects prop size (lower volts
require bigger props). 12S is a good reference point to start at. See
“Sample Power Systems” in this manual.

4. Divide the minimum wattage that you came up with by the voltage

you selected. This will give you the current you should expect.

5. Determine the battery capacity needed based on the current draw of

your system and your desired flight time. Be sure to select batteries
with the proper C-rating that can deliver the current you need.

6. Determine the ESC you need based on the system current draw.

See the ESC section for recommended ESCs.

In addition to this procedure, you can also visit the Great Planes
ElectriFly web site for descriptions of the power systems recommended
for our line of electric and glow airplanes as well as more detailed
explanation on the subject.

Recommended Setup: 12S Battery, 16x8 gas/glow propeller.

INSTALL YOUR MOTOR

7

1) If you will

mount your
motor directly
to the firewall
or if you will
use the Great
Planes 63mm
Motor Standoff
Motor Mount
set, cut out the
mounting
template in this
manual and
mount it to your firewall using tape or a spray adhesive. Align the
template crosshairs with the centering marks provided on the firewall.
Drill four 13/64" [5.2mm] mounting holes.

2) Remove the four

countersunk screws
holding the X-mount to
the motor and reinstall
them using thread
locking compound.
Remove the set screws
from the wheel collar,
the rear case, and the
front case and reinstall
them using thread
locking compound.

Motor Mount Template

3) Determine the mounting space required by your model – this is usually

found during the engine/motor installation steps in your model’s instruction
manual. Subtract the mounting space of the motor from the total required
mounting space. For example, if the mounting space is 171mm [6-3/4"]
and we want to mount the RimFire 1.60 which itself has a mounting space
of 75.4mm [2.97"]:

171mm - 75.4mm = 95.6mm

4) Using a Great Planes
Standoff Brushless Motor
Mount set (sold separately,
GPMG1270), combine
standoffs to achieve the
dimension you came up
with. You may not get the
exact dimension with the
standoffs, so check to see if
your cowl or balance
condition will allow you to
increase or decrease this
dimension. The standoffs shown in the photo above combine to make a
70mm standoff dimension.

5) Select good quality 8-32
bolts that are long enough
to fully engage all of the
threads of your blind nuts,
or use the bolts included
with the standoff kit. Attach
your motor to the firewall
using lock washers and
thread locking compound.

INSTALL THE BRUSHLESS ESC

8

Mount your ESC in the desired location. Always make sure that the ESC is
positioned so that it gets some cooling air flowing over it.

Use the instructions included with the ESC to correctly connect the ESC.

RIMFIRE MOTOR MAINTENANCE

9

RimFire brushless motors require virtually no maintenance. There are no
brushes to wear out and replace. The precision bearings have a very long
service life and should last a very long time. The internal parts of the motor
should not require any cleaning. The only thing that needs to be checked
is to make sure all the screws and set screws remain tight.

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS

10

• Once the battery is connected to the ESC, stay clear of the motor and
prop.

• DO NOT apply an input voltage that exceeds the maximum specification
of each motor.

• DO NOT apply currents to the motor that exceed the maximum
specifications of each motor.

• DO NOT allow the input connectors to accidentally touch each other while
power is applied to the motor. Make sure all input connections are
insulated electrically.

• DO NOT allow water or moisture to enter the motor, as it can cause
permanent damage to the motor and possibly short out the
attached ESC.

• DO NOT cut the wires from the motor. The wires are part of the windings
and are coated with an insulating material and cannot be soldered
without removing the coating, which is very difficult. If you must remove
the bullet connectors, unsolder them.

• Allow the motor to cool after each flight.

• The motor shaft of the motor will rotate at very high rpm. DO NOT
attempt to touch the shaft while it is rotating. If setting up the motor/ESC
on the workbench, make sure the motor is securely attached and that
nothing is attached to the motor shaft BEFORE applying power.

• NEVER attempt to use a damaged motor (having mechanical or
electrical defects).

Great Planes carries a complete line of Ammo™ (inrunner style) and
RimFire (outrunner style) brushless motors, gear drives, motor mounts,
prop adapters and speed controls. For a complete list of these products,
check out our web sites at:

www.greatplanes.com www.electrifly.com

or visit your nearest hobby shop that carries the full line of Great Planes
and ElectriFly products.

BATTERY PRECAUTIONS

11

There are two ways to connect multiple battery packs: In Series and
in Parallel.

These are two 33500mAh batteries (one 11.1V
and the other 7.4V). When joined in SERIES,
the result will be a 18.5V, 3350 mAh battery.

11.1V (3-Cell)
3350mAh

7.4V (2-Cell)
3350mAh

1) Connecting batteries in “Series” means to connect the +’s to the –’s
and the –’s to the +’s. This combines the batteries’ voltages, but the
capacity remains the same.

OKAY

This is a SERIES battery
adapter (GPMM3143)
that connects two
batteries in series.

These two 3350mAh batteries (both 11.1V) are
being joined in PARALLEL. The result will be
one 11.1V, 6700mAh battery.

OKAY

11.1V (3-Cell)
3350mAh

11.1V (3-Cell)
3350mAh

This is a PARALLEL battery

adapter (GPMM3142) that

connects two batteries in parallel.

2) Connecting batteries in “Parallel” means to connect the +’s to the
+’s and the -’s to the -’s. This combines the batteries’ capacities, but
the voltage remains the same.

11.1V (3-Cell)
3350mAh

7.4 V (3-Cell)
3350mAh

NEVER connect battery packs with different Voltages in Parallel–only
combine in Series. Otherwise, the batteries will try to “equalize” with
the larger one trying to “charge” the smaller one, thus causing heat
and likely a fire.

11.1V (3-Cell)
3350mAh

11.1V (3-Cell)
5300mAh

NO!!!

NO!!!

Also NEVER connect battery packs with different capacities in Series
or in Parallel.

REPLACEMENT PARTS

12

GPMM3114 4mm gold plated bullet connectors - Male (3)

GPMM3115 4mm gold plated bullet connectors - Female (3)

GPMQ4912 RimFire Prop Adapter for 63mm Motors

GPMG1210 RimFire Backplate Motor Mount for 50-63mm Motors

GPMG1436 C-Clip (10) for 8mm RimFire Motor Shafts

GPMG1460 Bearings (3) for RimFire 63-xx-xx Motors

GPMG1422 Replacement Shaft Kit for RimFire 63-62-xx Motors

69.72mm

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