ORIGINAL: gaRCfield
I still have a little more research to do I guess - I don't know what guys in D1 are using yet (for support, etc), and to answer Anthony's questions:
I plan on having 3 sets of batteries to start, and would like to charge once or twice at the field. There is no power available, and the only guy that flies heavy-duty electrics charges off his running Dodge Ram; I think he uses a pair of chargers. The 5000mah batteries should give me insane amounts of flight time if I want it; people are reporting only 3000mah for a 9min PXX flight. Since I've moved up to the 120 size/pattern planes, I tend to fly about 4-5 flights in an average day - 5 long flights is pretty exhausting!
Quite a few in D1 are using the Honda 1000 or 2000, and a couple other cheaper options (which seem to be louder and not as high output on the whole).
3000 mah for 9 min of PXX sounds very light. P or F are generally 5:45 +/- 30 seconds (box entry to box exit....add 45 to 90 seconds for TO and landing) and are 3000 mah minimum (close, slow, light winds), and can use 4000 (out, fast, big). Masters, from what I've seen, is closer to 7:00 +/- 30 seconds and can certianly go well over 4000 mah if out, big, and fast.
Regards,
Dave