RE: Going electric

RE: Going electric
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> "1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes >> RE: Going electric

Page: << < prev 1 2 [3] 4 next > >>

Login

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

RE: Going electric - 8/31/2008 7:49:33 PM

eroc144

Posts: 500
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Downingtown, PA, USA
Status: online

quote:

....look at how many odd-ball sizes of engines have been popping up recently. There's an engine made for every size plane you can think of, until you get below .09-.10, then it all turns to thbbbbt.

That's my point exactly - 1/2a's at the extreme end of the bell curve. Whether an engine is a .40, .42, .45, .46, .51, .60, etc is less important that it's ability to be used in a variety of planes by a large number of people.

EG

< Message edited by eroc144 -- 9/1/2008 1:09:42 AM >

_____________________________

Nothing is impossible when you don''''t know what you''''re talking about

(in reply to digital_trucker)

Post #: 51

RE: Going electric - 8/31/2008 8:31:00 PM

Thomas B

Posts: 477
Joined: 7/14/2002
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Status: offline

Interestingly, it is pretty easy to simulate a 1/2A with a certain type of small and fairly high Kv electric motor spinning a 5" to 6" prop, but a 1/2A motor cannot come close to simulating the range of performance that can be had with that same size motor and variations in the magnets, windings and prop.

_____________________________

Electric Coolhunter

(in reply to eroc144)

Post #: 52

RE: Going electric - 8/31/2008 9:12:46 PM

tangerine-jack

Posts: 310
Joined: 8/20/2006
From: Chesapeake, VA, USA
Status: offline

All true, and once again I offer myself up to take all the remaining glow 1/2As in the world so the rest of the flying public need not concern themselves any more with such nonsense. 1/2A glow engines suck and if you have one you are a geeky spazoid nerd and should send it to me immediatly so you can be accepted again into polite flying circles. Junk made by Cox and others should never contaminate a flying box or building table, let alone lurk in the back of the mind of an unsuspecting owner crying out "here I am in the bottom of the closet, build me, fly me brrrrrrrrrrrr..". Nope, electric is the only acceptable power plant for an RC plane. I await my UPS guy....

(in reply to Thomas B)

Post #: 53

RE: Going electric - 8/31/2008 9:25:54 PM

combatpigg

Posts: 10136
Joined: 11/22/2003
From: arlington, WA, USA
Status: online

Electric will never be able to simulate the whole experience. Same argument as "ice-beer" VS natural brew. One will get you drunker with less effort, but that's about it. There's more to "it" than just the end result.

< Message edited by combatpigg -- 8/31/2008 9:28:08 PM >

_____________________________

Led Zeppelin is NOT "old fogie" music.

(in reply to tangerine-jack)

Post #: 54

RE: Going electric - 8/31/2008 9:42:02 PM

Mr Cox

Posts: 461
Joined: 7/20/2007
From: Gothenburg, SWEDEN
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Thomas B

Interestingly, it is pretty easy to simulate a 1/2A with a certain type of small and fairly high Kv electric motor spinning a 5" to 6" prop, but a 1/2A motor cannot come close to simulating the range of performance that can be had with that same size motor and variations in the magnets, windings and prop.

Hmmm, I've never seen any electric simulating anything near a good 1/2a engine around here...

Where is the thrill in starting it up and finding the right needle seting for the day, the nice sound as it breaks into a clean 2-stroke and starts screaming etc. Not to meantion the expression on peoples faces in the pit, it is simply unbeatable!

(in reply to Thomas B)

Post #: 55

RE: Going electric - 8/31/2008 9:52:50 PM

digital_trucker

Posts: 1311
Joined: 2/4/2006
From: Dorr, MI, USA
Status: offline

Well, it's obvious that I can't generate a serious discussion here. It's equally obvious there's no point in even attempting to do anything to improve the state of the 1/2A scene. The 1960's is apparently as good as it's going to get, and any attempt at anything else simply inspires ridicule. I'm off to the electric forums, and maybe try rcgroups.com. Doing anything here beyond sacrificing chickens to the Cox gods is useless.

Have fun living in the past, and letting the rest of the world move past you.

_____________________________

I feel I can speak for 90% of humanity when I say 'durrrr'
Skype digital_trucker

(in reply to Mr Cox)

Post #: 56

RE: Going electric - 8/31/2008 10:04:32 PM

NorfolkSouthern

Posts: 985
Joined: 7/17/2006
From: Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Status: offline

Send some of those Norvels to me too!

NorfolkSouthern

(in reply to combatpigg)

Post #: 57

RE: Going electric - 8/31/2008 10:10:26 PM

tangerine-jack

Posts: 310
Joined: 8/20/2006
From: Chesapeake, VA, USA
Status: offline

In all seriousness, DT, I wish you would stick around. Yes, 1/2A is antiquated and has gone the way of the dinosaur, electric has taken over and there is no going back. I accept the fact that 1/2A glow is dead, it had its run of 50+ years and now, as you say, the world has moved on around it. I for one will not give it up, nor do I carry any illusions that there will ever be a new, affordable and well running .049. But there are plenty of good Cox engines still around and until the last glow head on the last engine bites the dust on the last flight of the day, I will fly .049.

I accept the truth that I am a throwback to a bygone era. My motorcycle has a kick start and my car has a carburetor, and my RC planes have no throttle and 2 channels. Accept that reality and we can all enjoy this great niche in RC flying together.

(in reply to NorfolkSouthern)

Post #: 58

RE: Going electric - 8/31/2008 10:17:00 PM

Mr Cox

Posts: 461
Joined: 7/20/2007
From: Gothenburg, SWEDEN
Status: offline

I'm sorry for the deviation from the topic, I just couldn't help it...

I do wellcome a serious discussion on 1/2a engines.
I'm just back from a really nice evening today with two 1/2a engines that are now working really well. One is the TT07 with a turbo plug and a few additional mods to it. It handstarts, idles well and spins a 7x3 at around 16700 rpm when leaned out, and it is very quite a low throttle. I have it in a ARF scooter wich is an oldtimer style and always get nice comments on the running and flying of it at the club. This includes people who are running electrics in small cubs etc. and only use glow in larger models.

Second engine that I finally got running well today was a CS 0.061, it has a home made muffler with pressure tap and a fixed airbleed to help the low end. It has been running a bit inconsistingly and weak before but I got a big improvement today by fitting a glowplug/head from the wasp .061. The CS now spins a cox 5.5X4 (grey) at 16200rpms (on 10% Nitro) and flew my very first built plane at a new lewel. The plane is in my avatar and it was built around 25 years ago from a borrowed drawing and originally had a cox Babybee on it. Today I could to repeated large loops (from level) at half throttle and I still have an odd smile on my face...

So tonight there is nothing wrong with 1/2a engines in my mind....

(in reply to digital_trucker)

Post #: 59

RE: Going electric - 8/31/2008 10:34:15 PM

digital_trucker

Posts: 1311
Joined: 2/4/2006
From: Dorr, MI, USA
Status: offline

This is the very last thing I'm going to say on the topic, there is onle ONE reason 1/2A is dying and going the way of the dodo; and that reason is because WE the 1/2A enthusiasts have been and are allowing it to happen. Nobody seems to have much of a problem with that, either. Very well, I guess. I must say I'm surprised though, considering how much interest a new small engine or a stash of Norvel/Cox engines generates.

You can't have it both ways...adios

_____________________________

I feel I can speak for 90% of humanity when I say 'durrrr'
Skype digital_trucker

(in reply to Mr Cox)

Post #: 60

RE: Going electric - 9/1/2008 12:31:24 AM

peterburford

Posts: 200
Joined: 5/14/2004
From: Tallebudgera Valley, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline

DT,

It really is unlikely that any manufacturer will make and market the engine you require, at the price you suggest.
Possibly an importer/distributor may commission one from an established manufacturer?
This would be only because he really wanted to, not driven by profit.

You obviously have a machining interest.
Why not take an available 1/2A engine and remake it as you want?
The needed knowledge is readily available.
It would take only a minimum of machining equipment and would be a very satisfying achievement.
The project would also be a good prelude to making your own engine from scratch.

Please don't leave the forum.
I'm sure that there are many like-minded readers who enjoy your posts, and will follow your exploits, electric or not.

Peter

(in reply to digital_trucker)

Post #: 61

RE: Going electric - 9/1/2008 12:49:06 AM

Thomas B

Posts: 477
Joined: 7/14/2002
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Status: offline

Well, there is no need to simulate the noise and mess of the 1/2A....I think simulating the performance is close enough and is regularly done, all over....

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr Cox

quote:

ORIGINAL: Thomas B

Interestingly, it is pretty easy to simulate a 1/2A with a certain type of small and fairly high Kv electric motor spinning a 5" to 6" prop, but a 1/2A motor cannot come close to simulating the range of performance that can be had with that same size motor and variations in the magnets, windings and prop.

Hmmm, I've never seen any electric simulating anything near a good 1/2a engine around here...
Where is the thrill in starting it up and finding the right needle seting for the day, the nice sound as it breaks into a clean 2-stroke and starts screaming etc. Not to meantion the expression on peoples faces in the pit, it is simply unbeatable!

_____________________________

Electric Coolhunter

(in reply to Mr Cox)

Post #: 62

RE: Going electric - 9/1/2008 1:23:18 AM

eroc144

Posts: 500
Joined: 10/4/2004
From: Downingtown, PA, USA
Status: online

quote:

ORIGINAL: digital_trucker
there is only ONE reason 1/2A is dying and going the way of the dodo; and that reason is because WE the 1/2A enthusiasts have been and are allowing it to happen.

I disagree strongly with this premise, and I'm disappointed that DT's suggestion seemed to be "demand better products and be willing to pay a higher price." It's naive to think that if 100, even 1000 of us called up OS, TT, Magnum et al and demanded a quality 1/2a engine that they'd start whipping 'em out. If the manufacturers thought there was money to be made in 1/2a they'd be all over it but we're a niche, albeit a happy one, and 1/2a is a rounding error on most RC company's balance sheet and has been for some time. Unless vast hordes of hobbyists decide that 1/2a is where they need to be, we're going to end up just like flintlocks, horse-drawn carriages, single blade razors and other once top-of-the-heap products at some point in the future.

But I could be wrong...

EG

< Message edited by eroc144 -- 9/1/2008 2:04:53 AM >

_____________________________

Nothing is impossible when you don''''t know what you''''re talking about

(in reply to digital_trucker)

Post #: 63

RE: Going electric - 9/1/2008 1:59:33 AM

combatpigg

Posts: 10136
Joined: 11/22/2003
From: arlington, WA, USA
Status: online

Erok, like Peter Burford said, you'd need a couple million bucks just to have a small operation and be willing to gamble that you could pay yourself and a fist full of employees back $100 at a time.....not to mention a lot of talent and know how. Companies like OS have people working for them who have their careers at stake, no one would stick their neck out just to "save" 1/2A.
I've done everything within my capabilities to "save 1/2A", just by doing it when I can find the time. What more can you ask for?

_____________________________

Led Zeppelin is NOT "old fogie" music.

(in reply to eroc144)