40% Electric. HOW MUCH?

[red_z06]

I have been quite a few " Can it be done?" kind of models. I approache electric models the same way as glow or gas. It has to be practical enough to bring only that plane to the field and continuously fliable within reasonable time with power source available at the field.

I have done Funtana 90 which flew for 270+ flights according to charge record on my packs.
I rotate between 3 packs and it allows for a flight every 20-30min at the field. Most I did with this plane is 15 flights in one afternoon. Swapping out batteries and checking and plugging it to chager 15 times becomes a chore.
Cost:
6 x Kokam 3cell pack @ $65 = $390 (1 pack)
Axi 5320/28 + CC HV 80 ESC = $400
The power setup is equivalent in price to YS110 but batt is like buying 20 gallons of 20% fuel upfront.
Until its last flight, it did not look day older with ultracote still shining.


I have done a H9 Extra 260 which takes 2 of the F90 flight pack per flight. Yes! all my packs are designed to go into all of my e planes.
I had to buy 4th pack in order to fly continuously rotating between 2 packs.

Cost:
2 x pack = $780
Axi 5330/18 + CC HV 110 ESC = $450
AUW: 15lb with battery ( equivalent to 14lb gasser dry )


With 4 packs I was able to maintain per flight time of 40-50min. It takes little longer to swap out and charge and it becomes a chore.

H9 1/4 scale super cub - same power as F90 and will hover.


I carry 1000W generator + power box containging 1 car battery as source. ($300)
I use 4 Astro 109 lithium chargers. 4 @ $130 = 520
Since above will last long time, exclude them from requirement.

Next one I'm considering is C-A yak 2.6m as I love how light it flies with BME110.
Since I hate gear grinding noise I will go with 1 large outrunner or 2 axi 5330/18 mechanically linked using shaft or belt setup.

Battery reqt will be exactly 2 x extra 260 and same goes for cost.
I will use TP 15C pro lite packs this time though as they are 5oz each 3cell pack as opposed to 6oz for Kokam.

[WOODisGOOD]

	Quote: Originally Posted by choppedlow
	That thing sounds cool as hell! Man, I would love to have a huge one

Dude cant help you there. When Mark first told me about his electric project I thought he had gone over the edge. After going to SEFF last year and seeing the big Godfrey on electric I decided to build a 260 for electric. Funny thing is at Joe Nall when we had to charge the batterys we were running four chargers off my car battery. We had to start the car and let it run so the chargers would have enough juice to charge the batterys. The bottom line you still need gas to fly large electrics. The packs that were stolen I was told cost 950.00 per pack and there were 12 packs.Not sure of the availability but will get ahold of Beavis and see what the scoop is.I think in the next few years as technology gets better there will be more electric 40% planes.

[red_z06]

My charging setup will have to be upgraded though. Each pack requires 36v @ 4a for chaging or 12V @ 12a for 1 c charging. To charge 36% class bird, you need a power source of 12V @ 60a (about 48a x 1.2 for margin).
I will also have to upgrade my 1000w generator to 2000w ($300) and add 1 more radio shack 12v 25a power supply ($100)

All of my 4 astro charger will be used and 2nd power pack seems impractical so I'll have to flying something else while charging.
I estimate 20+min for taking out and inspecting and plugging to charger + 1hr to charge and another 15min for reinstalling the battery.
It will be about 2hr cycle per flight. That means during 4 hours you will get 3 flight.

[red_z06]

I have seen Greg Covey fly his 1/3 scale H9 Edge 540. That had the power of a sport plane as it had the same power setup as my H9 Extra 260. If that level of power satisfies you then you can do electric for much less. However, I feel the power has to be at least 85% or better to gas counterpart.
Flight time is typically 10-12min per flight.

[3Dkid330]

Hi Tony,

Do you know if Mark still has the same E-mail that's on his website? I e-mailed him about 5 days ago regarding an airplane, but he might not have seen it yet. I totally understand if he is busy, i know how that is.

Brandon

[WOODisGOOD]

Yes its the same email. Mark sucks at returning messages and emails, but he can roll fast so all is forgiven.

[Cajun]

My Foamys cool, but how can you leave that smoke!!!! and the noise OMG I go fly just to hear it!!!!
wohooooo Gasser for life!

[king160woody]

i have to say, i love the sound too, maybe we could have a stereo makin noise when the electrics fly, VROOM VROOM VROOM,,, landing!! "someone turns the noise level down slowly" ... then lands,, noise level completely ... and BAM! we got sound again

[3Dkid330]

Thanks Tony, I'll let up some slack for him.

[notorious_benny]

I thought that the lack of noise from an electric giant scale would be quite dissapointing. However on the videos I have seen of the ones running big outrunners there is plenty of prop noise similar to a gasser.

There are now quite a few IMAC guys flying with full tuned pipes or cannisters. These things shut the motor up so much that all you are really hearing in flight is the prop noise anyways.

[WOODisGOOD]

When you hear them ion person they are noiser than you think they would be. As for smoke systems if you short out one of the batterys it smokes like a mother.

[Shahid B]

There was a 2 metre or so comp plane (OTOP Xtreme) at the field yesterday, was awesome on electric. Gotta love that whilstling sound!

However for 40% Id go gas anyday

Another big european motor,

http://www.torcman.de/index_e.htm

Look for the "Monster" motor in "General infos"