TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
04-21-2008 | 07:21 AM
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
Has anyone who has been in Helis a while ever done a comparison on the average cost of operating a TREX 600 nitro versus a 600e over a period of years? This would of course have to make some assumptions about how often you would fly in a given year, battery cost, of cycles before the battery goes bad, cost of nitro fuel, average amount used per flight, etc...
Up to this point, I have been a solid electric power guy (I am an electrical geek by nature and training / profession), but recently, looking at the high cost of batteries for a 600, I have been re-evaluating nitro as a possible next step. I had an opportunity to see and fly a nitro Raptor over the weekend and liked the idea of being able to bring a gallon of nitro with you to the field and fly all day.
Problem is, I have NO nitro experience whatsoever. A follow-up question would be, is it possible, working solo and with Finless' videos and guidance from the forums, to build a 600N without someone physically present to help you out? I have built two TREX 450 SE V2's this way, FYI.
Up to this point, I have been a solid electric power guy (I am an electrical geek by nature and training / profession), but recently, looking at the high cost of batteries for a 600, I have been re-evaluating nitro as a possible next step. I had an opportunity to see and fly a nitro Raptor over the weekend and liked the idea of being able to bring a gallon of nitro with you to the field and fly all day.
Problem is, I have NO nitro experience whatsoever. A follow-up question would be, is it possible, working solo and with Finless' videos and guidance from the forums, to build a 600N without someone physically present to help you out? I have built two TREX 450 SE V2's this way, FYI.
04-21-2008 | 12:07 PM
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
RE: TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
As always, right? 
Well, I did meet that guy with the Raptor Nitro over the weekend and I'm sure he would be willing to help. Any idea how close the 600N and Raptor are in terms of motor and clutch setup?
Well, I did meet that guy with the Raptor Nitro over the weekend and I'm sure he would be willing to help. Any idea how close the 600N and Raptor are in terms of motor and clutch setup?
04-21-2008 | 01:43 PM
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RE: TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
Any two helis with the same engine tune the same way. http://www.raptortechnique.com has two great articles, beginner and advanced engine tuning, it uses a systematic approach that applies to any heli/engine combo. After a while you know by ear if its running right, the only time I get my temp gauge out any more is if someone else needs to use it.
04-22-2008 | 05:50 AM
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From: Morriston,
FL
RE: TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
I just maidened a 600E T-Rex after flying A Raptor 50. I am new to the E scene and other than the high entry fee into the battery game, I for now prefer the E to nitro. At $30./ gal of 30% x 10 gallons you have burnt the cost of a battery. The big benny to E is no mess, no smoke, and a lot less vibration which in time translates to maintenance. The E is quiet, i can fly in my back yard without pissing in someone's corn flakes. If you are a big time crasher( which I was while learning) then nitro is the way to go, much less in the repair bill dept. I do not think $300. 6cpacks like the crash scene too much. Pay me now, pay me later, you will pay!!!!!! if you want to play.
04-22-2008 | 06:22 AM
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From: Montreal,
QC, CANADA
RE: TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
Batteries have gone down. Where do you guys shop and you are paying $300 ??????
Rcaccesorry has the air thunder 5000mah at $240. And if you buy before April 30th with the promo SPRING on checkout you also get a 10% off.
Or you can go the other way which I did lately. I got 2 batteries 22.2v 6cell 2400mah (500 size batteries)on ebay for 60 dollars each, and with a parallel connection you get your 4800mah !! at 120 dollars [8D].
They weigh less than the air thunder also by 20-30 something grams.
I have the Evo 50 as gas for more flying time while at the field but love more the 600E. I am thinking of getting a second one down the road as this one will be going in my fuselage within the month and I just love flying the 600 as is anyway. Nothing beats the low noise and practically almost non existent maintenance.(Cleaning, tuning with weather etc.)
PS. if you guys haven't read it yet, there is new technology coming out that will increase the lipo capacity by a 10 fold. 50000 mah in the same size. It has to do with increasing I think the concentration of the cells for more space in a given size or something.
Read the article through a link in one of the forums. Don't remember which. Once it hits the market, gas will die they say.
Maybe months away or a year until proper marketing but hey.. who cares.
Rcaccesorry has the air thunder 5000mah at $240. And if you buy before April 30th with the promo SPRING on checkout you also get a 10% off.
Or you can go the other way which I did lately. I got 2 batteries 22.2v 6cell 2400mah (500 size batteries)on ebay for 60 dollars each, and with a parallel connection you get your 4800mah !! at 120 dollars [8D].
They weigh less than the air thunder also by 20-30 something grams.
I have the Evo 50 as gas for more flying time while at the field but love more the 600E. I am thinking of getting a second one down the road as this one will be going in my fuselage within the month and I just love flying the 600 as is anyway. Nothing beats the low noise and practically almost non existent maintenance.(Cleaning, tuning with weather etc.)
PS. if you guys haven't read it yet, there is new technology coming out that will increase the lipo capacity by a 10 fold. 50000 mah in the same size. It has to do with increasing I think the concentration of the cells for more space in a given size or something.
Read the article through a link in one of the forums. Don't remember which. Once it hits the market, gas will die they say.
Maybe months away or a year until proper marketing but hey.. who cares.
04-22-2008 | 06:58 AM
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From: Exton,
PA
RE: TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
i cant imagine what one of those would do if it osverdischarged [:@] that would certainly be fun though, flying for a maybe close to 30 min?
04-22-2008 | 07:14 AM
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
RE: TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
ORIGINAL: Elgreco3
Batteries have gone down. Where do you guys shop and you are paying $300 ??????
Rcaccesorry has the air thunder 5000mah at $240. And if you buy before April 30th with the promo SPRING on checkout you also get a 10% off.
Or you can go the other way which I did lately. I got 2 batteries 22.2v 6cell 2400mah (500 size batteries)on ebay for 60 dollars each, and with a parallel connection you get your 4800mah !! at 120 dollars [8D].
They weigh less than the air thunder also by 20-30 something grams.
I have the Evo 50 as gas for more flying time while at the field but love more the 600E. I am thinking of getting a second one down the road as this one will be going in my fuselage within the month and I just love flying the 600 as is anyway. Nothing beats the low noise and practically almost non existent maintenance.(Cleaning, tuning with weather etc.)
PS. if you guys haven't read it yet, there is new technology coming out that will increase the lipo capacity by a 10 fold. 50000 mah in the same size. It has to do with increasing I think the concentration of the cells for more space in a given size or something.
Read the article through a link in one of the forums. Don't remember which. Once it hits the market, gas will die they say.
Maybe months away or a year until proper marketing but hey.. who cares.
Batteries have gone down. Where do you guys shop and you are paying $300 ??????
Rcaccesorry has the air thunder 5000mah at $240. And if you buy before April 30th with the promo SPRING on checkout you also get a 10% off.
Or you can go the other way which I did lately. I got 2 batteries 22.2v 6cell 2400mah (500 size batteries)on ebay for 60 dollars each, and with a parallel connection you get your 4800mah !! at 120 dollars [8D].
They weigh less than the air thunder also by 20-30 something grams.
I have the Evo 50 as gas for more flying time while at the field but love more the 600E. I am thinking of getting a second one down the road as this one will be going in my fuselage within the month and I just love flying the 600 as is anyway. Nothing beats the low noise and practically almost non existent maintenance.(Cleaning, tuning with weather etc.)
PS. if you guys haven't read it yet, there is new technology coming out that will increase the lipo capacity by a 10 fold. 50000 mah in the same size. It has to do with increasing I think the concentration of the cells for more space in a given size or something.
Read the article through a link in one of the forums. Don't remember which. Once it hits the market, gas will die they say.
Maybe months away or a year until proper marketing but hey.. who cares.
04-22-2008 | 12:59 PM
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From: Lincoln,
NE
RE: TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
ORIGINAL: Elgreco3
PS. if you guys haven't read it yet, there is new technology coming out that will increase the lipo capacity by a 10 fold. 50000 mah in the same size. It has to do with increasing I think the concentration of the cells for more space in a given size or something.
Read the article through a link in one of the forums. Don't remember which. Once it hits the market, gas will die they say.
Maybe months away or a year until proper marketing but hey.. who cares.
PS. if you guys haven't read it yet, there is new technology coming out that will increase the lipo capacity by a 10 fold. 50000 mah in the same size. It has to do with increasing I think the concentration of the cells for more space in a given size or something.
Read the article through a link in one of the forums. Don't remember which. Once it hits the market, gas will die they say.
Maybe months away or a year until proper marketing but hey.. who cares.
04-22-2008 | 03:10 PM
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
RE: TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
If anyone can find that link to the new technology that Elgreco3 was talking about, please post it! I'll do some looking around tonight and see if I can find it.
04-22-2008 | 05:16 PM
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From: Montreal,
QC, CANADA
RE: TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
S**t. I know I should have bookmarked the article.[:@]
I will so some searching to remember where I run into the post referring to it.
I will so some searching to remember where I run into the post referring to it.
04-22-2008 | 06:53 PM
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
RE: TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
That okay, If you can't remember, I am sure that someone will search it out. I am going to take a look here in a bit.
04-26-2008 | 08:53 AM
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From: , FL
RE: TREX 600 - Nitro versus Electric Power
ORIGINAL: Elgreco3
S**t. I know I should have bookmarked the article.[:@]
I will so some searching to remember where I run into the post referring to it.
S**t. I know I should have bookmarked the article.[:@]
I will so some searching to remember where I run into the post referring to it.
Thank you
