Looking fwd to my next build, I think I want to go with a 82" (wingspan) Cessna 182. I also think I prefer the 4 stroke over the 2 and need some recommendations. Or is it possible to build it as an electric???

Yes it is definitely possible to do as an electric. Although it isn't necessarily my thing there are some powerful electric motors and batteries on the market now. Electric performance can be outstanding.

As for a 4-stroke, I prefer the OS engines above the others. I know some people will argue that and talk about weight, power, etc. That's all fine and dandy but I will still disagree. The OS alpha series 4-strokes (.81FS-a, 1.10FS-a, 1.55FS-a, etc.) are the absolute best I have ever owned or seen for all around ease of use, reliability, performance and cleanliness. The only drawback is the cost. Of course the cost of all engines is going up lately unfortunately.

Have you considered a gasoline engine? A 20cc-30cc 2-stroke gas engine would be nice on a plane like that. It won't sound as cool as the glow 4-stroke but they are relatively inexpensive and gasoline is much cheaper than glow fuel.<br type="_moz" />

Personally I do not see much difference between OS and Saito. I have flown both and they are both very dependable engines.

Unfortunately the cost is about the same.

I have had limited experience with Magnum engines, a 4 stroke 70. Mine works just fine and cost a lot less money. Some people hate them but most say they are fine.

And there is just something about the sound of that 4 stroke on a fly by, ;-)

Tom

Given a choice between OS and Saito it is always the OS. It's another one of those buyers choice. I just see a lot less problems with OS. I don't see a nickles worth of power difference though. Both good engines, I just like OS better.

Are you looking at the Top Flight Cessna 182? That is going to be my next model as well. I am planning on using the DLE 20 for mine. For $269.00 from Tower Hobbies it is a bargain compared to some of the larger 4 stroke glow motors, especially OS and Saito. I am a big fan of both Saito and OS motor but the cost of glow fuel and the mess they make is really steering me towards gas motors like the DLE 20.

Well this is more complex than i thought it would be. Imean, i know the difference between 2 and 4 stroke but i dont know the difference between glow and gas. I just like the sound of the 4 over the 2.

On the other hand, I have a bunch of helis which are all elec and since I have caught the airplane bug BIGTIME, maybe i could use some of the batts that i already have. Hmmmm...

Then you could put in a sound system to sound like a real engine.

Ifly Magnum, OS, and Saito four strokes, from a 45 saito to a 180 Saito. All are fine. The best value for your dollar is the Magnum. It weighs a little more that the O.S. and Saito, but dollar wise it is a very good buy. Or, you can go off shore, IEHobby King and get an ASP, which is a Magnum with a differen badge. Shipping is a hit, both from the cost and the length of time. Also you are basicly giving up any customer service going that route. The price almost makes up for that loss though. Hobby People gives good service on the Magnum, Tower on the O.S. and Horizon on the Saito. Your choice.

Don

Big difference between glow and gas. Glow engines, whether 2-stroke or 4-stroke, use a mixture of methanol and nitromethane that is ignited by a glow plug. Gas engines burn regular pump gasoline and use a spark ignition. Glow engines are great but the fuel can cost upward of $20/gallon while gasoline is around $3-$4/gallon these days. For large airplanes, big glow engines burn some serious fuel so gasoline makes more economic sense in a lot of cases.

What Cessna 182 are you looking at? What size helis do you fly? An 82" scale Cessna is going to take some serious lipos, not just your typical cheap 3-cell, 1800mAh pack.

Also, will this be your first airplane? If so you might want to hold off and get something simpler first. Heli experience will likely shorten your learning curve but a scale airplane still won't be an ideal first plane in most cases.
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For a good, reliable 4-stroke go with either Saito or OS. They last forever with proper care and sound great while providing unbeatable torque.

Hi,

good luck, I have only had Saito's and I like them. Great power and last forever. Once you get the engine broke in and the valves set, they are good to go. After break in, the valves need to be reset. I don't know about the valves on other four stroke engines.

For the price, some of our club members have gotten the magnum's and are having good luck with them. I don't plan to buy one , but then I won't need to buy another four stroke in a very long time..

stick 40

OS - They run great right out of the box with no adjustment and last forever

You asked about four strokes but I have to agree with TRU and Chuck, the DLE is a great engine and you can't beat the price and much cheaper to operate and very user friendly.
Magnums are hit or miss, you either get a good one or a piece of junk. I don't even keep them when I get them in a trade. Hobby King is the best place for prices and has express shipping but you do loose the service so Tower may be the best place to look. Very simple engines to operate.With the price of glow fuel I have seen a big shift to gas and DLE is the hot ticket these days. Check them out. Gas is also easier to set up too. The engine doesn't care where you put the tank.

I'm looking at the Top Flight 182 or maybe a another brand but I want to go scale for sure. I just finished building a 72" Cub E and maidened it this past weekend, I was squirrely on the controls at first but after a few take-offs and landings I got it figured out. Super fun!

As far as the new bird is concerned, at this point (and after pricing gas engines!) I think I'm going with electric power. And for helis I have 450 (3s 2100mah), 500 (5s 3300) and 600 (6s 5000). I was thinking the 6s might be the way to go for the Cessna 182, but thats just a guess.

I really want a gasser and maybe someday when I have more disposble income I can pull it off, but for now it looks like E is the way to go. Thanks. <br type="_moz" />

Since you already have the support equipment for electric flight it should be a lot less expensive to go that route.
The motor and ESC recommended for the Top Flite ARF are about $100 each.
http://www.gpdealera.com/cgi-bin/wga...T=2&I=TOPA0906
The Top Flite kit has about the same weight estimate as the ARF so these items should work for it.
For batteries the specs say '11.1V 3200mAh LiPo battery & 7.4V 3200mAh LiPo battery' so your existing packs may or may not work.

Get you a Magnum/ASP (same thing) .91 RFS 4-stroke ($129.00), or a RFS 1.20 ($165.00) from www.hobbyking.com. They run great and are as duracle and powerfull as an OS or Saito. They are an OS clone...

If you want to throw more money at a motor to make you "feel better", then buy an OS or Saito... I do not think that you'll be buying a better motor though, but you might be one of those "I feel better now since I spent 2 to 3 times" more money on my motor...Good Luck..!!

Look at a Magnum/ASP (same thing) .91 RFS 4-stroke ($129.00), or a RFS 1.20 ($165.00) from www.hobbyking.com. They run great and are as durable and powerfull as an OS or Saito. They are an OS clone...

If you want to throw more money at a motor to make you "feel better", then buy an OS or Saito or even a YS (most powerfull)... I do not think that you'll be buying a better motor though, but you might be one of those "I feel better now since I spent 2 to 3 times" more money on my motor...Good Luck..!!

I have to agree with Gray Beard on the Magnum engines, somewhat. I have seen at least two with problems, and that is a high %, but you can buy two for less than the OS or Saito. If you catch they problem quick enough, its covered under warranty.

Don't get me wrong if I was buying another 4 stroke , it would be a Saito.

sticks

Link for the ASP engines

http://www.hobbypartz.com/aspengines.html

Link for SK and JBA engines

http://www.kangkeusa.com/skengines.htm.

I've seen some video of JBA engines, they are some extreme powerhouse 2 stroke.

If the link for SK JBA does not work, just type www.kangkeusa.com and on the left hand side you'd be able to see list of engines

Might try a gas conversion of a 4-stroke. Lots of folk go with on board glow igniters & for similar expense a RcXel ignition can be purchased. In many cases glow carb can be used with gas, just becomes very sensitive - a little tricky to adjust. In addition to less mess & greater reliability, it uses a lot less fuel. there are some good threads on this site concerning 4-stroke conversions.

Mike Brennan
Club Saito #723

If you have the gear for electric I wouldn't think twice about going electric instead of wet. Electric works great!! We were speaking of four strokes, not two strokes. I have only one two stroke in operation at the moment and that is the SK .91. I have had several of them and found them a good engine that does what it was designed for, low RPM and high torque. Last month I blew up my first engine ever, my brand new SK .91. The rod pin in the crank sheared off and it happened at mid throttle. The engine was sent in for repair and the work was done very well and very quick. Good service! I have found the SK second to none and for only $100.00. After my little problem I did a search here on RCU and discovered I wasn't the first one with this crank problem so if anyone is thinking SK then do a search in the glow forum and read up then decide for yourselves if you want to buy one. For two strokes I found the SK perfect for my use and style of flying. The only size I have used is the .91 so I have no input on the bigger or smaller engines.

Yep, I've decided to go electric since i already have a suitable ESC, batts, and charger. All i need is a motor and prop and I'm good.

Thanks for the help!

As you have no preference for glow, gas or electric you will not likely be disapointed by
anything you choose.

Personaly, given the choice of electric or denistry I'd go for a root canal. Beyond that, i have owned around 400 glow engines, only 35 or so of which have been 4 stroke. Most have been OS or Saito with a few Magnums. None have been a real disapointment, though I lean toward OS and Saito with a slight edge going to Saito.

Much depends upon what you enjoy. I enjoy engines, be they in a car, motorcycle, or model airplane. I don't care much for electric razors, kitchen appliances or hair dryers.

This is, after all a hobby. Decide what you enjoy and go for it.

jess

Go with name brand for 4-stroker, nothing's worse than fussing with a temperamental motor.
OS is tops for being user-friendly, and I find Saito has a little more torque given the same displacement. Saito may take a little longer to break in.  After the break-in, both are easy to tune. YS has more power, but is a little more touchy, especially for break-in.

Parts and service should figure into the equation, and all are great there.

Good on you for going for scale sound/realism, nothing like a 4-stroker for that!

Ed

Electric is definitely possible. I've had 4 AXI electric motors and have been very happy with them. My first 4-stroke was an OS .91......great motor, hassle free, always started on the first pop. That was on a 4-star 60 with a 72" wingspan. I had flight times over 20 minutes with the OS .91. An OS 1.20 might suffice for an 82" wingspan.