ORIGINAL: Tram
IMega 22/30/3 $115.50 @ MEC
MEC Superbox @ 4:1 around $60
16 x 10 APC E $7.50
6S2P 4000 MAH Kokam ( 2000 mah cells) Around $280 (might as well go ahead and add a second pack, as having 1 will drive you absolutly nuts - $280)
Phx. 80 $136
150 ounces of thrust ( over 9lbs), 6267 prop rpm
Static pitch speed of 59 mph
47.2 amps full throttle static
All per Motocalc, total system cost = $600 give or take a little. ($900 with 2 packs)
Saito 100 = $279
APC 16x4W = $15
30% heli fuel = $25 / gallon @ 1 gallon a month = $300 per year
Total glow cost = $594
That glow cost is $594 for the first year and $300/year for each additional year.
Lets say you are running a 12 oz tank so you get ~11 flights per gallon - $2.27/flight.
Lets assume that the LiPO's are good for a total of 500 cycles (who knows for sure?) so the $280/pack works out to $0.56/flight. Over the life of the batteries, the electric solution is MUCH cheaper. A total of 1000 flights for $560 worth of batteries vs $2270 for the glow fuel. Still cheaper even if the cells are only good for half that number of cycles.
What really bites is the fact that all of that cost is up front, not a gallon at a time!
I'm in the same boat; looking to electrify a Sig Rascal with enough power to fly it with some authority. Maybe next year!
Ross