"a123-Friendly" e550/e620 G10 Frame Upgrade
Allows use of a123-based packs in their "native" tandem/side-by-side configuration.
The new eRaptors are great, but they are not very a123-compatible. The frames are too narrow and the up-sloping battery tray won't allow the a123 cells to mount vertically. This new, very affordable lower frame upgrade fixes both problems. These new frames allow the a123 cells to be used pretty much just like they come out of a DeWalt tool pack, in a side-by-side, or tandem configuration. Shown is a 15s setup, which is made up using a singel 10-cell a123 pack and an "A"-shaped 5-cell pack, which are then wired together in series. This new frame setup will also accomodate two 10-cell packs that can be wired in parallel, in a 10s2p configuration that provides a great, long duration, sport flying and/or AP/AV setup.

In an e550, with 550 mm blades, you can use a single 10-cell a123 pack, a Z30A-800, the stock 10T pinion and a Phx HV 45, for instance, and have a great lightweight intermedaite level setup. Headspeed will be around 2000 rpm, which can be dialed down, as desired, using the ESC's governor.

For those looking for a more affordable path to a "full-size" e620, start with the e550 kit, add this new frame kit, and then simply add the Titan/e620 boom (PV0521), belt (PV0520) and tail control rod (PV0551). For power, there are two a123-based options. For all-out, hard 3D, use a Z50A-600, an 11T pinion, a 55-85A controller good for 12s LiPos, and a 15s a123 setup. The 100% headspeed will be around 2350-2400, which can be dialed down to about 2200-2250 [i][b]Note [/b]- Headsppeds above 2100 require the upgraded metal hub and above 2200 metal grips should be used.[/i] This will allow durations in the 7 minute range, but the power is awesome! You can get similar performance, but about a minute less in duration with a 14-cell a123 configuration and a 12T pinion.

The second e620 a123-based setup is great for long-duration sport flying. It uses two 10-cell a123 packs, wired in parallel in a 10s2p configuration, along with a Z50A-800, an 11T pinion and aany 55-85A controller with a governor mode. This will provide a 100% headspeed around 2200, which can be dialed down to an ideal 2000 with the governor.

Finally, for those looking to do an AP/AV configuration, you can use the same sport fliying a123 10s2p/Z50A-800 setup, but use the stock e550 10T pinion.

In order to convert an existing R50/Titan to this a123-compatible e550/620 configuration, as described above, the following standard parts are required: PV0544 111T Main Gear, PV0552 Link Rod, PV0554 Elevator Arm Lever, PV0555 Elevator A-Arm, PV0556 Aileron Lever, PV0557 Servo Tray, PV0558 Main Frame and PV0574 Motor Mount. these parts can be purchased at any dealer that sells Raptor parts. The assembly instructions are here: Upper Frame Conversion Instructions