Conversion to electric
 

Hey everyone,

I originally posted this question in the glow forum, and they didn't take to kindly to it.

I am building a Sig Kadet, progress is going well, but I started to think about when I could fly it. I live in the city, we have parks but I live no where near the sticks. I was wondering if I could convert from a glow engine to an electric engine in my kadet. First off, is it even possible? If so, what are the advantages/disadvantages of using electric over glow?

Thank you in advance!

Medic

RE: Conversion to electric
 

The Kadet has been successfully converted to electric power. Even the Senior Kadet has been converted.

Check the [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_132/tt.htm]RC Universe Glow to Electric Conversion forum[/link] and the [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/glow-to-electric-conversions-247/?daysprune=-1]RC Groups Glow to Electric Conversion forum[/link] for info about this sort of conversion.

- Jeff

RE: Conversion to electric
 

Absolutely it can be done. One of my friends just converted a Senior Kadet to electric.
Disadvantages: Cost more money, batteries are not as expensive as they were but still cost a substantial amount. Motor and controller can take a bite out of the pocket. You will need to buy a good charger for Lipoly batteries and a 12 volt battery or one of the portable battery supply's to charge the batteries at the field. (it is a safety issue of possibly catching your car on fire if you charge from your car battery, your car battery won't catch fire but if the planes battery isn't charged right it can burn rather profusely)

Advantages. Easy to set up at field, not a lot of noise, not a lot of dead stick landings, no messy fuel to clean off of plane when you are done flying just pack it up and leave. Motors are just as powerful if not more so than glow engines. No fine tuning of the engine just plug it in and go the settings will be as they were when you last flew.

I fly electric.

RE: Conversion to electric
 

...
Which Kadet do you have (how big)? They come in a few different sizes and the ones sold for glow power are too big/heavy/fast to be flown in a park.
Making it electric does not change that.

At those sizes electric power systems also start getting a bit expensive.

They are also fast enough that you should not try a first flight on your own if this is your first real RC aircraft.

Find a club that is near enough and let them help you set up and fly your nice plane.

RE: Conversion to electric
 

perttime-

Excellent and important point! Converting a glow plane to electric power does not make it a parkflyer.

You'll want the same type of flying field and the same amount of space that you need for the glow version.

- Jeff

RE: Conversion to electric
 

So, what you are telling me is that at the size of my aircraft, there is no real advantage to turning my Kadet into an electric?

Thats understandable, since the Kadet Mk II is quite the airplane.

How much do batteries and an electric motor cost?

Medic

RE: Conversion to electric
 

Hi Medic-

Here's a resource with info about the costs of glow to electric conversions.

[link=http://www.hobby-lobby.com/glow2econ.htm]Hobby Lobby's Glow Airplanes Converted To Electric[/link]

Hobby Lobby lists approximately 60 glow planes along with the gear they used to convert them to electric.

As for the advantages of e-flight, we're talking mainly about cleanliness, quiet, and simplicity at the flying field. You don't need an engine starter, glow starter, fuel pump, etc. There is no motor adjustment required. Basically, you pull the plane from the car, assemble if necessary, turn on your transmitter, plug in the battery, and fly. You can be in the air within a couple of minutes of arrival. At the conclusion of the day's flying, you unplug the battery and put the plane away -- no cleanup required.

On the other hand, e-flight is by no means something for nothing. You need a proper battery charger, a couple of spare battery packs (so you can keep flying while a pack is charging), a wattmeter to check your power system, and enough knowledge that you don't fry an expensive component. For example, too large a prop can cause your motor, battery, or ESC (electronic speed controller) to overheat and be damaged or destroyed. So your power system components need to be properly matched.

- Jeff

RE: Conversion to electric
 

If you're looking for a parkflyer size plane in a trainer style, check out the Sig Kadet EP42, the Goldberg Eagle 400, or the Hobby Lobby Mini Telemaster. Only the Mini Telemaster is produced as a kit, though.

One caution about balsa models: They are a bit fragile, and aren't exactly suited for learning to fly by trial and error. If you're learning to fly on your own, an EPP ARF might be a better choice. Hobby Lobby's got a new one that looks like it might be a winner: The Gull http://www.hobby-lobby.com/gull.htm