RE: glow v elec./ ford v chevy??
 

Unfortunately such a chart is hard to make. Any given electric motor can be a kitten or a tiger depending on how many volts you run it with. So you would have to compare gas engines with motor/battery combinations.

The good news about electrics is that you have almost infinite capability to match the power to the plane using different numbers of cells, gearing and props. The bad news about electrics is that you have almost infinite capability to match the power to the plane using different numbers of cells, gearing and props.

I still fly both and will for quite a while. Even if they come out with great electric motorcycles, sometimes you'll just want a ride on a Harley.

RE: glow v elec./ ford v chevy??
 

It's that infinite capacity that makes it hard on beginners. I'd still think a chart could be created by a knowledgable electrics guy, with the caveat that each electric "equivalent" is only one possibility out of many. I know with all the different motor and battery types it'd be hard to recommend a specific solution, but maybe two or three different combinations per glo-engine size would give those of us who might consider electrics a place to start.

RE: glow v elec./ ford v chevy??
 

I've been flying electric for a several years; mostly 30 to 40 inch wing span airplanes. Yes, those lipo batteries are costly and doesn't last long. The newer lipo batteries are better and allow higher discharge current, but I don't except they will last more than 2 years of flying. For 3D flying my typical flight last about 10 minutes, but the flying wing with large lipo battery can fly about 20 minutes or more. Of course, This will decrease as the batteries ages. (even if the battery is just sitting in the drawer over the winter).

The earlier moter is predominately geared. This is very confusing for beginners, as there are too many different setups. I have burned a number of lipo battery packs and even burned a brushless controller and a brushless motor because of wrong setup. I still refer to manufacture suggested gear ratio and prop and battery packs whenever I setup a geared motor.

Things are a lot easier with outrunner brushless motors. I highly recommend outrunner motors for beginner. I don't think I'll buy another geared motor.

Actually, I'm considering converting to glow airplanes. As I'm tired of waiting for batteries to charge, and tired of having to buy more battery packs, because the old ones are not holding the charge. Small planes just can't fly as precise as the large ones. Most importantly, I am tired of being grounded because the wind is too strong for the small planes.

I guess it's more of a small plane vs large plane consideration, not really electric vs glow.


Pin

RE: glow v elec./ ford v chevy??
 

Pin,

If you are saying that electric power is just for small planes, you might wanna take a look at this

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=469

I think that (at least when it comes to prop planes) there is always a glow alternative and an electric alternative that give you roughly the same performance, cost differs a lot on initial investment, but glow fuel might be more expensive on the long run, but of course, you could use gasoline :)

Joseph

RE: glow v elec./ ford v chevy??
 

In a practical sense, electric power is just for small planes; at least for now. Some one run electric power on large models doesn't mean it's the practical way. Even at .40 size airplane, it's more practical to use glow than battery. Those large battery packs cost several hundred dollars each. One can buy a lot of fuel. Those lipo packs do fail after a couple years. For long term, electric still cost more. I hope I'm wrong with the newer high discharge lipos I bought. They haven't prove themself to be reliable in long term use. Time will tell.
If someone has 3 year or more lipo packs that still retains roughly 3/4 of their capacity (ie, from 1200mah down to 900mah), please let us know.


Pin