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Old 01-14-2008 | 10:37 AM
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Magne
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From: Moss, NORWAY
Default RE: Lipo capacity estimation

Gyri.
The Dutch importer of MVVS engines, Mr. Pe Reivers, has a very good prop-power calculator on his internet site. Go to http://www.mvvs.nl/ and look under "utilities" on the left hand side. This is an excel spreadsheet, where you can compare different propellers, revs, loads etc.
According to this sheet, the APC 14x6, at 9500 rpm, develop exactly 950W and gives a static thrust of 4170 grams. So your calculation should be quite good.
But also remember that having more power available, does not mean that you have to use it all the time. As I said earlier, in my F3A model the average current is about 25A, while max. is 80. If I propped it to max. 60A, I would still use about 25A on average, but I would not have the same vertical performance.
You will also find that by going to electric, you are not likely to operate at 9500 rpm, but maybe 6500 rpm. You therefore have to increase the propeller pitch, typically to 10/12/14" pitch. Using 3700 mAh packs may be a good way of keeping costs down, just make sure that you don't over-discharge the batteries, or the lifetime will suffer.
Please note that what I write here is my opinion. If you ask 10 people, you would guaranteed get 10 different answers.
(As you can see from the thread you are referring to, there are different opinions and ways of doing things. There is no right or wrong way, just different ways. I posted my opinion in that thread as well.)
Hopefully somebody else will comment with their experience and opinions.

Magne