[NSRCA-discussion] cost of electric

Jack Keiser jtkeiser at comcast.net
Mon Sep 18 07:24:43 AKDT 2006


Fred,

Not yet into the electrics but I've been following this discussion trying to 
learn and help decide if I want to make the plunge. Your comment about 
"100w/#  approx equals 1:1 power:weight" has me confused. Did you mean 
thrust-to-weight ?  Or??

Jack


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fred Huber" <fhhuber at clearwire.com>
To: <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 5:49 AM
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] cost of electric


> Watts per pound is a very good indicator of electric model preformance
> regardless of size.
>
> 100 watts per pound is appx equal to 1:1 power:weight.
>
> Thus, we can be compareing "apples to apples" regardless of the size
> difference.
>
> Intermediate.. I would "reprop" the Quest to appx 1000 watts. (the power
> system is capable of it.. its just a bit harder on the batteries.)  I have 
> a
> 13X6.5 on the motor, and its rated for a 14X8  (for appx 1200 watts) on 
> the
> batteries I am using.
>
> I made the prop choice to get 15+ min per charge "sport" flying the model.
> Its closer to 11 min doing the Pattern.  Repropping for more power.  My
> reading indicates that if you want the LiPos to last, you want 15 min
> capacity.
>
> **********
>
> And... the main reason I responded to the topic was...
>
>>>>>> Wow,  That is a bit out of my price range!
>
> Maybe the lesser performance of a system that is sized for a bit lower
> power:weight would meet his needs...  Entry level  (Sportsman) Pattern 
> need
> not cost a couple of thousand $$$$.  a common 4 ch basic radio and an ARF
> similar to the Quest is a good plan... for that level. (a much better plan
> than some other planes I tried...)
>
> Being able to get the WHOLE PACKAGE in the air electric powered, with the
> charger and even including the RC system for appx $1000 may make a
> difference.
>
> ********
>
> BTW.. there's a power package (motor, batt and ESC) which would have been
> appropriate to the Quest, (or other .90 size, light, low cost Pattern/3D
> ARF's)  For Sportsman level (rated for 900 watts max on the motor and ESC)
> which costs $150 less than the power packge I set up.  But.. You can't
> re-prop it up for Intermediate...
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Scott Anderson" <scott at rcfoamy.com>
> To: "NSRCA Mailing List" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
> Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2006 8:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] cost of electric
>
>
>>I believe the Quest is a small plane (Specifications:)
>> Wingspan: 68.5"
>> Wing Area: 1000 sq. in.
>> Ready-to-fly weight: 7.5 - 8.5 lbs.
>> Length: 69"
>>
>> We are not doing a even comparison to a 2 meter plane..
>>
>> I fly intermediate and will be moving to advanced next year and its still
>> nice to have extra power...
>>
>>
>> Scott Anderson
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "paul.horan" <paul.horan at sbcglobal.net>
>> To: "NSRCA Mailing List" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2006 9:35 PM
>> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] cost of electric
>>
>>
>>> Scott,
>>>    I have seen Fred's Quest fly - it is electric and it is more than
>>> sufficient for sportsman and the beginning of intermediate.
>>>    I believe he is correct in his statement.
>>> Thanks,
>>> Paul
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Scott Anderson" <scott at rcfoamy.com>
>>> To: "NSRCA Mailing List" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>>> Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2006 8:17 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] cost of electric
>>>
>>>
>>>> Fred,
>>>>
>>>> 100 watts per pound is marginal for pattern..
>>>>
>>>> And I don"t fly Masters !
>>>>
>>>> Just my 2 cents..
>>>>
>>>> Scott Anderson
>>>> Team Tanicpacks.com
>>>> Team Castle Creations
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Fred Huber" <fhhuber at clearwire.com>
>>>> To: <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>>>> Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2006 9:12 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] cost of electric
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> The costs they listed are for a plane competitive at Masters or above.
>>>>> Sportsman simply doesn't require the same performance from the model.
>>>>> (each
>>>>> successive level demands more from the plane and pilot)
>>>>>
>>>>> Sportsman (flying the schedule used the past couple of years) level
>>>>> needs
>>>>> appx 100 watts/ lb and you can get a decent e-power plane set up for
>>>>> close
>>>>> to half the cost. (probably less, as prices are comming down)
>>>>>
>>>>> It depends on the performance level you want or need.  I believe the
>>>>> setup
>>>>> Nat recommends approaches 200 or 250 watts/lb in an 11 lb plane...
>>>>> Desireable for the HUGE verticals with rolls on up lines at Masters 
>>>>> and
>>>>> FAI
>>>>> level.
>>>>>
>>>>> *************
>>>>>
>>>>> BEST is to charge the LiPos at no faster than 1C rate... so it takes 1
>>>>> hr
>>>>> for a fully depleted pack.
>>>>>
>>>>> don't forget to get a cell ballancer, and a Wattmeter.  Adds appx $75
>>>>> to
>>>>> the
>>>>> bill. ($25 for Astro Blinkey... and $50 for the wattmeter).. but the
>>>>> ballancer increases the life of the LiPos, (and makes charging safer)
>>>>> and
>>>>> the wattmeter allows you to test the power draw with assorted props, 
>>>>> to
>>>>> ensure you aren't overloading something.
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>> From: "Kelly Regan" <kelly.regan2 at verizon.net>
>>>>> To: "NSRCA Mailing List" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2006 7:44 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] cost of electric
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Wow,  That is a bit out of my price range!
>>>>>> My Brio on gas idea is looking better!  ;)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Nat Penton wrote:
>>>>>>> Kelly
>>>>>>> My experience (from memory):
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Plett EVO and ESC                 About   $800
>>>>>>> TP 5300 5S 4P                       Check Website
>>>>>>> 2 - Astro 109 chargers                           280
>>>>>>> 12v Iota power supply                              90
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If you use 75% capacity it will take 35 to 45 minutes to charge the
>>>>>>> batteries. 2C charging will not hurt the batteries but you cannot 
>>>>>>> get
>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>> than 8amps out of the Astros. I still like the Astros and, when in
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> shop,
>>>>>>> charge the batteries in parallel. Balancing is no problem.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Iota is a great piece of equipmment and will easily handle four
>>>>>>> Astro
>>>>>>> 109s.                        Nat
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>>>> From: "Kelly Regan" <kelly.regan2 at verizon.net>
>>>>>>> To: <NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2006 5:40 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] cost of electric
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Can someone post the cost of a 2 meter electric setup.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Motor
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Speed Control
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Battery size and cost
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Also how long does it take to charge one battery pack at a
>>>>>>>> reasonable rate, something that won't kill the battery life.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thank you for the help.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>>> Kelly Regan
>>>>>>>> Visit the Georgetown Branch: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6uror/
>>>>>>>> Freestate Aeromodelers: http://www.freestateaeromodelers.org/
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
>>>>>>>> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
>>>>>>>> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>>> Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
>>>>>>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>>>>>> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/437 - Release Date:
>>>>>>>> 9/4/2006
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>> Kelly Regan
>>>>>> Visit the Georgetown Branch: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6uror/
>>>>>> Freestate Aeromodelers: http://www.freestateaeromodelers.org/
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
>>>>>> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
>>>>>> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -- 
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>>>>>> 9/15/2006
>>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
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