[NSRCA-discussion] weight difference

Tue Aug 17 10:17:06 AKDT 2010

I've been following this with interest. E-power is looking better all the
time and I probably will make the change. I like to build prefer a wood
airplane. About how much total weight is in a suitable E-power system or
empty airframe ready for radio etc? Any numbers readily available would be
helpful in understanding the distribution of weight.
Thanks
Jim Hiller

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org]On Behalf Of Dave
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 9:02 AM
To: 'General pattern discussion'
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] weight difference

And to recall.....that is the Spark with custom wings and stabs, which saves
substantial weight?  There are very few unmodified kits available that are
RTF electric at 10.25.  There are some airframe examples for which glow /
electric are similar weight, but that is not the norm - not yet anyway - my
opinion.

My electric Bravo was 10 lbs even at the 2009 NATs (only 4 oz more than the
Vivat I flew in 2005) and I would be scared of the structure if it were any
lighter.  Of course it could be lighter still IF I went from 5000 to 4350
lipos (~6 oz) and ditched the dual RX batts and Vregs (~2 oz) and used
lighter ESC and wiring (~ 2 oz).

Point being....even tho 10 lb electrics are possible, and becoming more
common, it is still pretty easy to build electrics at 11+ lbs without
careful planning and attention to detail.  I think it will become a
non-issue soon enough.....even in Europe and Asia electrics are coming on
strong.....so the glow kits will become increasingly scarce.

Regards,

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Atwood, Mark
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 10:06 AM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] weight difference

I would argue that you can't "disregard" the airframe given that an all
electric airframe is much lighter.

My answer to the question?  There is almost no difference.   I'm flying a
full 2M plane that weighs 10lbs 4oz with light batteries, 10lbs, 8oz with
very heavy batteries.   My two Black Magics with glow weighed 10lbs 6oz and
10lbs 8oz RTF minus CDI (add approx 4oz for that).

I believe we're just now seeing full electric designs that are optimized for
weight and are coming in light.   Prior to that, many of the designs still
had unnecessary structure as a legacy from Glow.  I'm pretty sure that
evolution is not complete yet either.

Mark Atwood
Paragon Consulting, Inc.  |  President
5885 Landerbrook Drive Suite 130, Cleveland Ohio, 44124
Phone: 440.684.3101 x102  |  Fax: 440.684.3102
mark.atwood at paragon-inc.com  |  www.paragon-inc.com

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Ron Van Putte
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 9:58 AM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] weight difference

Tough question.  Will you insist on using 30C lipos, when 20C lipos
are much lighter?  Do you plan on using a particular motor?  Motor
weights vary substantially.  Some ESCs are a lot heavier than others.

My guess would be that the weight difference between a complete
electric-power system and a complete glow-power system, disregarding
the airplane, would be 10-16 ounces.

Ron

On Aug 17, 2010, at 8:51 AM, Dr Mike wrote:

> Ok so I am going to ask the question again... in your estimation
> what is the
> difference in weight between the complete electric power system and
> the
> complete glow system-disregarding the airplane?
> Mike
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
> [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Ron
> Van Putte
> Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 8:30 AM
> To: General pattern discussion
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] weight difference
>
> Dave WAS trying to show the difference between glow and electric.
>
> Generally, airplanes that started out as glow-powered are heavier
> than one for electric power, because of the vibration.  The
> difference between the two packages gets complicated.  For glow, you
> include spinner, prop, engine, motor mount, ignition system, fuel
> tubing (and fittings), fuel tank and anything else which is
> exclusively for glow.  For electric, you include spinner, prop,
> motor, motor mount, ESC, wiring, lipo batteries and anything else
> which is exclusively for electric.  When you add it up, the weight
> differences can be pretty dramatic.  If you don't carefully select
> all the components, you can easily add an unneeded 4 ounces to an
> electric-powered airplane.
>
> Ron
>
> On Aug 17, 2010, at 7:49 AM, Dr Mike wrote:
>
>> Thanks Dave, I am referring only to the power packages,not the
>> planes. Those are what I am looking for, the difference between
>> glow and electric.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>>
>> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca-
>> discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Dave
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 7:41 AM
>> To: 'General pattern discussion'
>> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] weight difference
>>
>>
>>
>> 12 oz +/-4 oz.
>>
>>
>>
>> Exact number depends on a bunch of things -
>>
>> - on the electric side, which motor, motor mounting, ESC, lipo, RX
>> power system?
>>
>> - was the plane originally built lighter for electric, or with more
>> beef for glow?
>>
>> - CDI / non CDI, type of mount, and what type of ignition and RX
>> power?
>>
>>
>>
>> I can tell you that a number of Prestige planes have been built
>> with various glow and electric power plants.  For the most part,
>> the glow airframes are +4 oz to start with (the added beef for glow
>> vibration).  Most of the glow setups ended up at 9.5 lbs, +/- 4
>> oz.  Most of the electrics ended up at 10.25 lbs, +/- 4 oz.
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>>
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca-
>> discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Dr Mike
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 8:33 AM
>> To: 'General pattern discussion'
>> Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] weight difference
>>
>>
>>
>> Could someone tell me the difference in weight between say a YS 1.7
>> with muffler/tank,etc vs electric?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Mike
>>
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