Stingy Old Fogey

Tip: Just need the facts? A condensed list of the minimum equipment (with hyperlinks) can be found at the very bottom of this article.
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Like many folks, my first build was an FT Old Fogey. My brother and I printed off the plans, cut the foam board and took turns burning ourselves with the hot glue gun. It was loads of fun!

However, when it was time to buy the necessary equipment I had no idea what I needed. The first thing I did was consult Flitetest's build equipment list on their build article. However, as I would later realize, this was more of a shopping list of options rather than a specific equipment list. After going thru the (somewhat expensive) learning curve of what equipment to buy, what "2s" or "3s" means, how many "amps" the esc must handle and what prop to use so as not to burn out my motor, I figured it would be worth while to pass along what I have learned to the first timer looking to get into swappables cheaply. 

The following power pod list is very specific and is meant for the first timer who just wants to get flying cheaply. AFTER you've had some fun flying you'll surely do more learning and migrate to bigger and better equipment. These are the minimum required parts you need to get your power pod operational for the smallest amount of money! I welcome any compatible suggestions that might shave down the bottom number.

 
First of all, I've gotten EVERYTHING from Hobby King. You just can't beat their prices! One of the first things I found out was that Hobby King has worldwide warehouses and you cannot mix and match stock from the respective warehouses in your cart. Second, I found out that although the "International" warehouse will have the most selection, it will KILL you in shipping - both in time and cost. Bottom line? When you go to HobbyKing.com, be sure to select "USA Warehouse" only. All of the items I list are available in the USA Warehouse as of this writing. 

First off we'll start with the motor. One of the cheapest, lightest motors available is the Hobbyking Donkey ST2004-1550kv Brushless Motor. This motor works with 2s and 3s systems so all your bases are covered.
$5.75 

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__39093__HobbyKing_Donkey_ST2004_1550kv_Brushless_Motor_USA_warehouse_.html

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EDIT: Currently my favorite motor is the Turnigy D2282/14 Brushless 1450KV motor. It only costs $7.98 but is quite a bit more crash resistant and provides over twice as much power! You can use the same prop and battery setups too!

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__36719__D2822_14_Brushless_Outrunner_1450kv_USA_Warehouse_.html

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Next we'll need an electronic speed controller, or "ESC" to take power from the battery and make it usable for the motor. Cheap and light, the Hobbyking 10AMP ESC fits the bill nicely. The specs say it will work with 2s-3s systems so options are still open. $6.10
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__26491__H_KING_10A_Fixed_Wing_Brushless_Speed_Controller_USA_Warehouse_.html

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EDIT: While the Hobbyking 10A ESC works great with my 2s setup, I found that it would cut out with my 3s setup. Oscillating rapidly during full power, it seems like it may be cutting out before the 10amps it is rated for. I see from the reviews of this item on Hobby King's website, others have had similar trouble. I'm planning on trying out the Turnigy AE-20A 19g 20Amp ESC for my setup. It has proven performance and is only $8.59. http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=28122 
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TIP: Connectors between the battery, ESC and motor can get pricey and require soldering. I found that Lowe's 12-count bullet-nose crimp-type connectors seem to work just fine and only cost $2.06.

For a battery, I decided keep the system light and went with a 2s battery. At 76grams and $5.75 the Zippy 1300Mah LiPo 2S battery is a great deal and should provide reasonable flight time. $5.75

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__16774__ZIPPY_1300mAh_2S1P_20C_USA_Warehouse_.html

You'll need a special charger for LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries and Turnigy makes one that will charge both 2s and 3s batteries for only $4.68.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__41163__Turnigy_balancer_Charger_2S_3S_USA_warehouse_.html
For an extra $3.96 you can buy the Hobbyking version that will also charge 4s batteries.

 http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__36906__Hobbyking_DC_4S_Balance_Charger_Cell_Checker_30w_2s_4s_USA_Warehouse_.html

While the charger does come with gator clips for you to hook to a 12V car battery, you'll need a power supply to plug the charger into a 110V house outlet. Hobbyking sells one for $9.47 that fits the bill nicely. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__34106__HobbyKing_Power_Supply_100_240v_5A_USA_Warehouse_.html

For a radio controller, Hobby King sells a 4 channel complete system that includes the controller (transmitter) and the receiver for $26.37. 

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__15142__Hobby_King_2_4Ghz_4Ch_Tx_Rx_V2_Mode_2_USA_Warehouse_.html

However, for only $3.63 you can upgrade to the 6 channel version. This basically gives you the option of plugging in two additional servos should you decide to get creative and add bombing capability to your Old Fogey.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__15140__Hobby_King_2_4Ghz_6Ch_Tx_Rx_V2_Mode_2_USA_Warehouse_.html

The last thing you'll need for the power pod is a prop. Since I went with the 2s system an 8" by 4.5" pitch (8045) prop is recommended ($2.47 for a 4/pack). However several props are listed in the specs for the HobbyKing Donkey motor should you decide to use a 3s system. I believe they call for a 7045 (7" X 4.5") prop with a 3s battery.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__36714__Slow_Fly_Electric_Prop_8045R_SF_4_pc_USA_Warehouse_.html

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Tip: Read the specs section of any motor you plan on buying. Usually you'll find a suggested prop and battery combo. If not, scroll down thru the reviews - someone has likely figured it out and you can go with their suggestion.

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One of the things that will save you $$$ in the long run are "prop-savers." They are basically prop hubs that slide onto the motor and are secured with two screws. An o-ring holds the prop to the motor and allows non-radial movement (such as in a crash) that helps save the prop and will (hopefully) keep the motor shaft from getting bent. As of this writing they aren't available in the USA warehouse. However, for only $2.99 you can ship some from the international warehouse at $1.49 for a total cost of $4.48.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__3738__3mm_Prop_Saver_w_Adapter_3_bands.html

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Edit: Don't forget servos! I didn't add this to the list originally because it doesn't go in your powerpod. However, if you're reading this, there is a good chance you are a newbie like me and are building a swappable that will need servos. The HXT900 9Gram Servo is promoted by Flite Test and experience has shown me that it seems to be the most rugged and durable, although other similarly rated servos will work for a while.

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__22927__HXT900_9g_1_6kg_12sec_Micro_Servo_USA_Warehouse_.html

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That does it! You should be good to go. Total cost? $66.83, plus shipping from the USA warehouse in Washington to your location. To put that in perspective, Harbor Freight sells a barebones 3-channel foam RC plane for about $80. However none of the components are lightweight, the batteries are old technoligy and nothing is very swappable (for when you DO crash). Depending on shipping ($15-$20 for me in FL), you will have about the same money in something that is totally repairable, better quality, expandable and usable in your other Flitetest Swappable builds.

In fact, over half of the cost (minus shipping) is in initial start-up costs for things like the radio receiver and battery charger. What does that mean? It means that if you wanted to build additional power pods for other swappables or maybe you TOTALLY destroyed your powerpod (minus the receiver module) you could replace the whole thing for less than $20. Sweet Diggity! :) 

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Tip: I've noticed that if you are "checking out" an item long enough on Hobby King's website there will often be a pop-up that offers a small discount on that item. 

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Thanks for reading. If anyone knows of cheaper ways to get started with a power pod, please be sure to list it in the comments below. Of course, keeping it compatible with the other parts would be awesome!


 

My Equipment List:

Motor: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__26491__H_KING_10A_Fixed_Wing_Brushless_Speed_Controller_USA_Warehouse_.html

ESC: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__26491__H_KING_10A_Fixed_Wing_Brushless_Speed_Controller_USA_Warehouse_.html

Battery: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__16774__ZIPPY_1300mAh_2S1P_20C_USA_Warehouse_.html

Charger: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__41163__Turnigy_balancer_Charger_2S_3S_USA_warehouse_.html

Power Supply: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__34106__HobbyKing_Power_Supply_100_240v_5A_USA_Warehouse_.html

Radio (4CH): http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__15142__Hobby_King_2_4Ghz_4Ch_Tx_Rx_V2_Mode_2_USA_Warehouse_.html

Prop: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__36714__Slow_Fly_Electric_Prop_8045R_SF_4_pc_USA_Warehouse_.html

**Prop Saver: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__3738__3mm_Prop_Saver_w_Adapter_3_bands.html

 **Internationl warehouse: BE SURE TO PUT THIS ON A SEPARATE ORDER