Fw: Electrics and how viable.?.. Matt klipped for reposting

[Rcmaster199 at aol.com]

George, Del,
 
There is no evidence to support that the LiPoly batteries,  motors and/or 
ESC's will last 1000 cycles/flights. There is ample evidence  in favor of these 
systems failing at less than 100 cycles. I have heard from  several who have 
run electrics in patern models, and they all have had some  issues with any of 
the three items.
 
Be that as it may, the electrics are here to stay and, to me at least,  are a 
welcome addition to the choices we have in powering our beloved  pattern 
models. I am still not ready to commit the money to outfit a pattern  model but am 
getting closer. 
 
I have committed time and effort in developing a new landing gear  design to 
accomodate electric set-ups. All features will be the same as the  present 
gear design I offer, except longer struts for the larger props. I want  to ask 
the folks who are into electric power for feedback on what kind  of gear design 
they are fond of: straight out from fuse center line, or raked  back with 
straight legs. 
 
TIA
 
MattK
 
In a message dated 11/23/2004 7:39:05 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
drykert at localnet.com writes:

Yes all you points about the advantages of electrics are real George.  
But I for one would not choose to keep both glow and electric in my  hanger. 
The logistics of such an undertaking is to much for me  personally.
For some to claim that electric isn't going to  change pattern is 
foolish.. Just look at the maneuvers that are created  for new schedules that 
dictate you must get a comparable competitive  aircraft if you are going to 
fly in that class.  How many are allowed  to move back because of inadequate 
equipment?
I will get  off my soapbox for now. I am only asking for the rest of the 
answers to  real questions that to me appear to either being ignored by those 
in the  know or it paints a big black eye for electrics and they don't want 
to  show the ugly side of it.

del
NSRCA - 473
----- Original Message  ----- 
From: George Kennie
To:  discussion at nsrca.org
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 2:23  PM
Subject: Re: Diamond stab cross section - Dean  Pappas


I don't fly  
electric!....................................................YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
However, and it's a very big HOWEVER,  I keep hearing about how  
unbelievably expensive it is to participate in this aspect of the hobby. I  
don't know that I can concur with this conclusion.
I think most  of us lower eschelon participants are probably paying 
approximately $15  per gallon for fuel and the guys that are burning 30% heli 
somewhat  higher. Now, using the lower figure and running a 16 oz tank I'm  

getting about 8 flights out of every gallon I purchase(how many of you  guys 
are running 20 ouncers?) To me that approximates roughly $2 per  flight. All 
of the sources that I have been able to query indicate that  the current crop 
of lithium technology paks should cycle in the 1000 cycle  area if properly 
charged and discharged(no over-charging & no deep  discharging) which is 
easily achievable with currently available  programable ESC's.
Now even if you figure on a pak like Jay is  running where each half pak 
costs $350(total $700), the 1000 cycle cost  comes out to .70 cents per 
flight. If you take it one step further and  consider a smaller size 
airplane, the cost per flight goes down  substantially as some of the local 
guys, in my area, are getting 3 ten  minute flights per charge.
I don't know about you, but in my book,  the numbers are pretty compelling, 
rivaling the price that I used to pay  for my 60 size ignition powered Super 
Cyclone on Amoco gas.
Additionally, I have yet to see an electric motor advertized for $700 like  
some of our glow motors.I think if I was Mr.Yamada I would have a little  bit 
of an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach regarding the future. I  think 
the writing on the wall is either pulsating or glowing 'cause it has  
electrons behind it!
Just think,.......... no glow plugs, no  glow fuel, no exhaust manifolds, 
no pipes, no starter, no starter motor  batteries, no fuel pumps, no tanks, 
no fuel tubing, no fuel dots, no fuel  line T's, no fuel line filters, no 
Cline regulators, no check valves, no  Mixture Carb servos, no soft mounts, 
no 7amp field box battery, no 409  clean-up solution, no paper towels, no 
igniter battery, no remote glow  receptacle and the list goes on and on. How 
much money did you just  save????? You may be able to retire earlier than you 
 
anticipated!
Nope!, I'm still not convinced that electric is  sooooo- expensive. I will 
acknowledge that if you are an individual that  burns 2 or 3 gallons a 
season, it's going to be a while before you start  to realize the 
differential.
Georgie


 
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