Winter / Focus / Fuel

[Doug Cronkhite]

Oh yeah.. not an issue at all for me. Safety around these things is hugely 
important. After several years of F5D and F5B, I've become VERY aware 
of the dangers a connected power system can pose. 

You don't run a BEC at these power levels so checking controls and such is 
not a problem. I probably won't run an arming switch though. 

-Doug

On Wed, 3 Dec 2003, Keith Black wrote:

> Doug,
> 
> While you're at that flying site by yourself be REAL careful around the prop
> on that electric. One false move and that sucker could be at full power at a
> very inopportune time! To me that's the hardest thing to remember when
> switching to electric.
> 
> I highly recommend using a separate arming plug/switch for the motor so you
> can run the control surfaces and have the motor disabled until just before
> taking off.
> 
> Of course, I'm sure Jason has told you all about that.
> 
> Keith Black
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Doug Cronkhite" <seefo at san.rr.com>
> To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 1:42 PM
> Subject: Re: Winter / Focus / Fuel
> 
> 
> > Sure thing..
> >
> > Motor: Hacker C50-14XL geared.
> > Controller: Jeti Hacker Master 77-3p.
> > Batteries: Thunder Power 10s3p (actually 2 x 5s3p wired in series)
> > Charger: Schulze ISL 6-330d x 2
> > Aircraft: ZN Line Supreme
> >
> > Cost is unreasonable at this stage of the game. The motor and controller
> > are actually not the bulk of the price. It's the batteries. Including
> > everything (motor, controller, battery, chargers) I have roughly $2000
> > invested. You could knock about $650 off that if you only buy 1
> > 10s3p battery pack. I already had the chargers so you're looking at
> > another $380 to buy a pair. I'm also developing my own mounting setup for
> > the airplane (which ZN will manufacture as an option). Landing gear is
> > also being designed to handle the 22x12 APC-E prop. 1st rev will be
> > aluminum but a carbon gear is in the works as well.
> >
> > As far as weight goes, I'll have to get out the scale for exact numbers,
> > but the installed weight is about 8 ounces more than a comparable glow
> > installation (this is using Jason's airplane as a reference as I'm still
> > building mine). Judging by the component weights of my kit and hardware, I
> > think I'll be at 9.5 pounds before paint/covering so 10.5 pounds should
> > be VERY workable, but keep in mind I'm looking at every gram that goes
> > into the airplane to keep it as light as possible.
> >
> > OK.. so the disadvantages at this moment are costs, lack of completely off
> > the shelf components, and the volatility of the LiPo batteries if they're
> > mistreated (fire and explosion). There is also the unknown of just how
> > many charge/discharge cycles these batteries can take at these current
> > levels (roughly 65 amps max). These are all things I'm willing to
> > risk/endure however.
> >
> > The advantages to me however MORE than overcome the problems.
> >
> > 1) lack of vibration
> > 2) perfect throttle response
> > 3) zero weight change/shift through the flight
> > 4) low noise
> > 5) no lean/rich runs
> > 6) no flameouts
> >
> > Last and most importantly is the available practice sites for me. We have
> > an electric only field here in San Diego which is 10 minutes away and
> > rarely used if ever in the afternoons giving me all the flying time I will
> > need.
> >
> > -Doug
> >
> >
> >
> > On Wed, 3 Dec 2003, JOddino wrote:
> >
> > > Hey Doug,
> > > Could you describe your complete set-up, plane, motor, batteries, etc.,
> with
> > > weight and cost.  This sure sounds like the way to go if the costs are
> not
> > > too unreasonable.
> > > I agree 300 flights a year seems to be plenty even when you can fly all
> year
> > > long.  I remember how I couldn't wait to retire so I could fly everyday.
> > > Now I can but I don't go out more than 2 or 3 times a week and some
> weeks
> > > not at all.
> > > Jim
> > > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > > From: "Doug Cronkhite" <seefo at san.rr.com>
> > > To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 8:52 AM
> > > Subject: Re: Winter / Focus / Fuel
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Hopefully none. I have 2 10s3p li-po's on the way (big hit to the
> wallet
> > > > there)..
> > > >
> > > > My chargers are Schulze.. they'll likely outlast me.
> > > >
> > > > -Doug
> > > >
> > > > On Wed, 3 Dec 2003, Wayne Galligan wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > How many li-po battery packs or charghers will you be going through?
> > > > >
> > > > > WG
> > > > >
> > > > > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > > > > From: "Doug Cronkhite" <seefo at san.rr.com>
> > > > > To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
> > > > > Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:20 AM
> > > > > Subject: RE: Winter / Focus / Fuel
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > > On Wed, 3 Dec 2003, Atwood, Mark wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > That begs an  interesting question.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > How much fuel do people burn in a calendar year?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I'd be interested to hear responses and where you're from (or
> maybe
> > > more
> > > > > specifically, how many months that fuel is spread over.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > In a competitive year (the last three not withstanding) I was
> > > burning
> > > > > 40-50 gal over 3.5 - 4 months (late May - Mid Sept.)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > -Mark
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hmmm..
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I'm in San Diego.. will be flying all year round.. I don't think
> I'll
> > > burn
> > > > > > a single gallon of fuel this year :-P
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -Doug
> > > > > >
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