Cost of electrics

[Bill Glaze]

Hi, Eric:
I think that, all things considered, including that I am a junkie for 
new things, I'll wait awhile before trying electric.  Given that I have 
a lifetime supply of Y.S. engines that are all working perfectly well, 
and a good supply of paper towels for cleanup, (the airplane as well as 
me!) I'll let the other guys experience the new Regime.
BTW: I'm not tryjng to start something here, just trying for 
information.  Did anybody else see the news story recently about a 
laptop computer's batteries catching fire on a flight?  I saw the story 
on a couple of different news channels, and I was wondering if anybody 
had more information about circumstances?
As a former airline pilot, I can firmly assert that I absolutely hated a 
cabin fire.  Would rather have an engine on fire.  (Yes, I've had that 
one too.)
Bill Glaze

Grow Pattern wrote:

> Bill,
>         I think that asking Jason about the cost of flying electric is 
> like asking Schumacher the cost of racing a Ferrari!
>  
> A more realistic source of information would probably be to ask 
> someone who is not sponsored.
>  
> My own experience and thinking is based upon what it takes to support 
> a pattern plane with a YS engine on the front. Take the engine out and 
> go electric. 
>  
> In the case of electric support you need most of the following;
>  
> (You might not agree with all of the list or the quantities but it 
> will give you a good idea of what is needed. Where gas and electric 
> would need the same items I left them out.)
>  
> 2 motors/gearboxes - If you only have one and it fails your are grounded.
>  
> 2 speed controllers for brushless motors - they do fail once in a while.
>  
> 3 or four pairs of Li-poly battery packs- 2 packs make up one 
> flight-pack. You need to be able to fly four times a day. Fresh packs 
> per flight seem to be the best bet. I have tried flying two schedules 
> on the same pack and the second flight is not always a certainty.
>  
> 2 Li-poly chargers - You need to be able to charge the two halves of 
> one flight pack. There is never enough time to charge them one at a time. 
>  
> 1 spare car-battery for the chargers - Unless there is a power supply 
> at the field you will need to use some form of power source.
>  
> You could easily put down $4K to be kitted out the same as a 
> glow-powered pattern pilot :-)
>  
> Regards,
>  
> Eric.
>  
>  
>  

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