Great Planes RimFire 80 User Manual

50CC-65CC BRUSHLESS
OUTRUNNER MOTOR

Thanks for purchasing the ElectriFly RimFire
Motor! In order to complete your power system you will need to select
the correct LiPo batteries, propeller, ESC, and motor mount. The
following instruction manual will explain what you will need to
complete your new RimFire power system.

MOTOR

1

87.3mm (50cc)

97.3mm (65cc)

™

50cc-65cc Brushless

80mm

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

B

A

C

E

F

D

Items not shown

actual size.

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

The following brushless electronic speed controls are compatible with
these motors.

ElectriFly Silver Series 80A Brushless ESC High-Volt (GPMM1860)

ElectriFly Silver Series 100A Brushless ESC High-Volt (GPMM1870)

Castle Creations Phoenix
110 High-Volt Brushless
ESC (CSEM2018)

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

Thread Pitch:

r

1.25mm

10

10mm

RimFire 50cc (80-75-230) (GPMG4800)

Motor Output Shaft Size: 10mm
Motor Diameter: 80mm [3.14”]
Motor Can Length: 75mm [3.0”]
Mounting Space Length: 87.3mm [3.44”]
Weight: 1250g [44.1oz]
Input Voltage: 33.3-55.5V (9-15S LiPo)
Max Continuous Current: 110A (at 12S)
Max Continuous Power: 5000W
Max Surge Current: 135A (at 12S)
Max Surge Power: 6500W
Prop Range: 22x8 to 26x10 glow/gas prop
Sport Aircraft Weight: 12.7kg [28lbs] [460oz]
3D Aircraft Weight: 8.17kg [18lbs] [288oz]

RimFire 65cc (80-85-160) (GPMG4805)

Motor Output Shaft Size: 10mm
Motor Diameter: 80mm [3.14”]
Motor Can Length: 85mm [3.35”]
Mounting Space Length: 97.3mm [3.83”]
Weight: 1480g [52.2oz]
Input Voltage: 33.3-55.5V (9-15S LiPo)
Max Continuous Current: 135A (at 12S)
Max Continuous Power: 7500W
Max Surge Current: 150A (at 12S)
Max Surge Power: 8400W
Prop Range: 22x10 to 26x12 glow/gas prop
Sport Aircraft Weight: 19.7kg [42lbs] [665oz]
3D Aircraft Weight: 11.79kg [26lbs] [416oz]

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 basically a motor that has 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
for the motor to spin), the motor’s current draw increases as the load
increases and decreases as the load decreases. 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. Use a propeller that’s too
large and 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

A Great Planes® Pro™ Thread Locking Compound (GPMR6060)
B Standoff Brushless Motor Mount XX-Large (GPMG1275)
C 4mm/6mm Female Bullet Adapter (GPMM3118)

67mm

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

PROPELLERS

3

Because of the high torque of this motor and its ability to spin at high rpm,
we recommend against using electric-only propellers. Below is a listing
of a few of the recommended props.

™

TOPQ5260 22x10 Power Point
TOPQ5270 24x10 Power Point ZINQ2014 26x10 Zinger Prop
ZINQ1403 20x10 Pro-Zinger ZINQ2017 26x12 Zinger Prop
ZINQ1603 22x10 Pro-Zinger

LI-POLY BATTERIES (LIPO)

4

ZINQ1803 24x10 Pro-Zinger

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 4 x 3.7V or 14.8V. The capacity is listed in milli­amp 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

Kontronik™ Power Jazz
63V Brushless ESC
120A (KONM3140)

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 motors 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

RimFire

50cc

RimFire

65cc

12S 5300mAh 25C LiPo, 120A ESC,
22r8 glow/gas prop

12S 5300mAh 25C LiPo, 120A ESC,
24r8 glow/gas prop

INSTALL YOUR MOTOR

7

1) If you will
mount your motor
directly to the
firewall or if you
will use the Great
Planes 80mm
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
9/32” [7.1mm] 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.

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 184mm [7-1/4”] and we want to mount the 50cc
RimFire which itself has a mounting space of 87.3mm [3.44”]:

184mm - 87.3mm = 96.7mm

4) Using a Great Planes
XX-Large Standoff
Brushless Motor Mount
set (sold separately,
GPMG1275), 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 100mm standoff dimension.

5) Select good
quality 1/4-20 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.
We used 5” [127mm]
long bolts for this
example. Attach your
motor to the firewall using flat washers, lock washers, and thread
locking compound.

INSTALL THE BRUSHLESS ESC

8

1) Make sure that the ESC you have selected has the proper 6mm female
bullet connectors attached to the three motor leads. If it does not, this
motor is supplied with 6mm female bullet connectors. These are fitted to
the male bullet connectors on the motor leads. Slide them off and solder
them to your ESC motor leads. Insulate the bare connector body with
some heat-shrink tubing. The heat shrink on the motor wires and the
ESC wires must completely cover the gold connectors. If the bare
connectors touch each other while power is supplied to the motor,
permanent damage to the ESC/motor may result. Note: DO NOT try to
remotely mount your ESC by extending the motor lead wires. This will
adversely affect motor timing.

2) Attach the ESC you have selected to your model in the location suggested
by the manufacturer. If your model does not come with mounting
equipment for an ESC, fit your ESC to a place where it will receive adequate
airflow. Make sure that airflow is directed over the cooling fins of the ESC
and that air has a path to exit from the model.

3) Attach a suitable battery lead connector from your ESC to your battery.
For safety reasons, you may want to build an arming switch which will
allow you to quickly and safely arm and disarm your motor without
opening or removing any hatch. Keep all leads as short as possible to
reduce resistance, and well insulated to eliminate short-circuits.

4) Connect the three motor leads from the ESC to the motor. Check to see
that the motor rotates in the correct direction. Swap the position of any
two motor leads to reverse the rotation of the motor.

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
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.

(inrunner style) and

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

7.4V (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.

Note: This mounting
pattern matches the
DLE-55 engine. An
optional mount that
matches the DA-50
engine is GPMG1214.

80mm

RIMFIRE 50cc & 65cc MOUNTING PATTERN

67mm

Entire Contents Copyright © 2009 GPMG4800/05Mnl

RimFire 50cc Accessory and Spare Parts

GPMM3116 6mm Gold Plated Bullet Cnnectors - Male (3)
GPMM3117 6mm Gold Plated Bullet Connectors - Female (3)
GPMQ4914 RimFire 50cc and 65cc Replacement Prop Drive
GPMG1212 RimFire Backplate Motor Mount for 50cc and 65cc Motors
GPMG1214 Optional DA50 RimFire Backplate Motor Mount for 50cc & 65cc Motors
GPMG1438 C-clip (10) for 10mm RimFire Motor Shafts
GPMG1462 Bearings (3) for RimFire 50cc and 65cc Motors
GPMG1424 Replacement Shaft Kit for RimFire 50cc
GPMG1275 Stand Off Brushless Motor Mount XX Large

RimFire 65cc Accessory and Spare Parts

GPMM3116 6mm Gold Plated Bullet Cnnectors - Male (3)
GPMM3117 6mm Gold Plated Bullet Connectors - Female (3)
GPMQ4914 RimFire 50cc and 65cc Replacement Prop Drive
GPMG1212 RimFire Backplate Motor Mount for 50cc and 65cc Motors
GPMG1214 Optional DA50 RimFire Backplate Motor Mount for 50cc & 65cc Motors
GPMG1438 C-clip (10) for 10mm RimFire Motor Shafts
GPMG1462 Bearings (3) for RimFire 50cc and 65cc Motors
GPMG1426 Replacement Shaft Kit for RimFire 65cc
GPMG1275 Stand Off Brushless Motor Mount XX Large