IC Engine - Bulkhead / Alternator
 

Hello everyone!

I'm working on an battery electric airplane, and I would like to replace that motor by an internal combustion engine (Ref: YS, FZ140).

I was wondering which kind of bulkhead I'd better choose (Material, thickness, ...) considering the fact that an engine will provide more vibrations than a motor (they both have about the same weight).
Moreover, could you suggest me a particular kind of alternator, given the fact that we have some eletric installation on board (wires, servos, ...), and we'll need around 12W of power ?

Here are some overall characteristics of that airplane :
- wingspan : 14.18 ft
- gross weight : 40.1 lb
- Fuselage length : 4.12 ft
- actual motor : 2600W
- Wing Swet = 13.87 ft2
- Swet = 46.69 ft2

Thank you very much for your help !!
Maud

RE: IC Engine - Bulkhead / Alternator
 

Alternator? Are you thinking you need an engine driven battery charger? Why?

These are not the type of questions we see from experienced flyers. In the event this is your first plane, please try something smaller as a first effort.

If this is not your first, please explain why you want to convert an electric design to a fueled engine and what you're going to do with the altenator.

Best wishes,
Dave Olson

RE: IC Engine - Bulkhead / Alternator
 

Actually, this is a study project that I have to carry out for my design class. The plane flew pretty well with a battery electric motor, butlast only 1 hour. So now, the objective is to replace it with an internal combustion engine (which model is given by the professor), in order to have a plane supposed to run for 12 hours.
We made some flight test with that plane, so we have a lot of electricpowered things on it (GPS, camera, and also servos, receiver, ...).That is the reason why I would need an alternator. I have thought about the idea of using a battery NiCd (for example) instead, but will it last 12 hours ?

I have to admit that I'm not really experienced in that motor/engine problems, but that's why I'm asking questions on forums ;)

Thank you !

RE: IC Engine - Bulkhead / Alternator
 

This may be what you could use as an alternator/generator
onboard charging system:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXFV20&P=0

The firewall bulkhead would have to be a minimum of 1/4" thick aircraft
birch 5-ply plywood for an IC engine, braced accordingly in the fuselage.

Is the engine you intend to put in the plane a YS-FZ140 4 stroke model engine?
If so you are going to need an awful lot of fuel to keep this thing airborne for
12 hours, non-stop. Fuel for a 140 4 stroke motor= 12 hrs x 60 min= 900 min.
900 min. x 1.25 oz per min ( estimated)= 1125 oz. divided by 128oz (1 gallon)=8.8 gal fuel.
8.8 gal fuel x 7.7 lbs per gallon=67.76 lbs of fuel.........
plane weight at 40.1 lbs + fuel weight 67.76 lbs= 107.86 lbs gross weight.........
and it gets more improbable as the equation goes on, as I don't think the airframe
could store or carry that big a volume of fuel..........

RE: IC Engine - Bulkhead / Alternator
 

I would be suspicious of this guys questions..... what kind of noob has questions regarding and airframe with these specs What kind of school/college project would require you to fly for over 12 hours....