Lots of glow to electric conversions... Where are the electric to glow.
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Lots of glow to electric conversions... Where are the electric to glow.
Just about every magazine I pick up has a glow to electric conversion. Why aren't there any electric to glow conversions?
I've been looking for a plane for a TT .15 and figure an electric would be good since there aren't many .15 size planes available. But don't know how exactly to make the conversion, and what size plane would work.
How would I know what plane would work? Wingspan?
I've been looking for a plane for a TT .15 and figure an electric would be good since there aren't many .15 size planes available. But don't know how exactly to make the conversion, and what size plane would work.
How would I know what plane would work? Wingspan?
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RE: Lots of glow to electric conversions... Where are the electric to glow.
I have heard of some people sticking small glow engines in the GWS warbirds lineup.
Keep weight to under 2lbs for a 15 and it will be fine.
Stefan
Keep weight to under 2lbs for a 15 and it will be fine.
Stefan
#3
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RE: Lots of glow to electric conversions... Where are the electric to glow.
Most people aren't comfortable converting a plane designed for electric motors over to glow for one very good reason; electric planes are dsesigned to be as light as possible, therefore there's often not enough structure to take the vibration and torque of a glow engine.
Dennis-
Dennis-
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RE: Lots of glow to electric conversions... Where are the electric to glow.
Why? The biggest reason is, people aren't becoming MORE tolerant of noise. It's going to get to the point that only people who fly literally out in the middle of nowhere, where there are literally no other people for MILES, will be able to fly planes with internal-combustion engines, and even then the wildlife might take them to court for making too much noise.
More reasons: Glow engine technology hasn't evolved in 20 years. Electrics are in the middle of a technological revolution. They're "hot." They're the "in thing." Electric conversions are more involved than, "I screwed an engine mount to the firewall, installed the engine, and went flying," and make better articles.
More reasons: Glow engine technology hasn't evolved in 20 years. Electrics are in the middle of a technological revolution. They're "hot." They're the "in thing." Electric conversions are more involved than, "I screwed an engine mount to the firewall, installed the engine, and went flying," and make better articles.
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RE: Lots of glow to electric conversions... Where are the electric to glow.
sorry, don't intend to offend, but I don't have any desire to fly an electric plane. I like the sweet sound that the engine makes, and the smell of burnt fuel on the ride home is a wonderful reminder of the hours spent playing with my planes.
#7
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RE: Lots of glow to electric conversions... Where are the electric to glow.
and even then the wildlife might take them to court for making too much noise.
CRFlyer,
I agree. I have a couple of small electrics, speed 400 size, and although I enjoy them on occasion they just don't have the same allure as my glow stuff.
Dennis-
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RE: Lots of glow to electric conversions... Where are the electric to glow.
I converted a GP ElectriCUB to glow. The electric motor system wouldn't even come close to flying the plane, so I put an OS .15LA on it and it works great. I built some foam floats for it and use it for winter flying. Here's a pic of my dad with it last winter:
Ben
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RE: Lots of glow to electric conversions... Where are the electric to glow.
I'd sorta like to try an electric once. I just wish there was some way to make sense out of all the motor/ speed controller/ battery combinations. Seems like when I ask around about it, no one has a clue about what combination would replace say a .40 or .60 glow engine. Lotsa guesses, but not too much factual info to be found. There seems to be no standardization with this electric stuff, except for the real small stuff which doesn't interest me. Another thing stopping me is the outrageous cost of the bigger systems. I'd really like to build that DH tiger moth of Gordon Whitehead's, written up in RCM a couple months ago, but YIKES. I could buy about 2-1/2 .91 four strokes for the price of what he used for power in it, so it looks like that's what mine will get for power.
#11
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RE: Lots of glow to electric conversions... Where are the electric to glow.
Unfortunately, the cost to adequately power large airplanes with electric equipment is extremely high. Even a small brushless motor and speed control, for say a .25 size plane, will run you a couple hundred bucks. Add another $60 to $80 for battery packs and it gets pretty steep.
The most economical approach right now is in the speed 400 range. (All up weight about 20 ounces or less.) Geared motor, speed control and a couple of packs will only run about $100. The Simple 400 is an easy to build kit and can be bought for about $30 to $35.
Dennis-
The most economical approach right now is in the speed 400 range. (All up weight about 20 ounces or less.) Geared motor, speed control and a couple of packs will only run about $100. The Simple 400 is an easy to build kit and can be bought for about $30 to $35.
Dennis-