[Guest]

I have been approached by guys who have strongly suggested that i should power my S Connie with electric, now i am also aware of a fellow on another site is building GS DS B29 14' WS model!, he will be powering his model with electric set up also and i've seen few other bombers electric powered too, so now if i was to remotely consider going electric on my model, what would i need for it. Now keep in mind that i have very little to none experience with electrics so i would be newbie in this field and would need proper guidance and i will be asking many questions, some will and some may not even make sense but your patience will be appreciated.

At this time i am going to power my model with 4 x ST40s 2 strokers, so now being said that what is the equivalent in power comparison in motors, and what about ESC's and Lipo batteries. But most important is the cost required to consider to do this conversion!, what it will be in the end....

Model's specs:
WS 109"
L 96"
Weight 24-30lbs dry estimated at this time.
Wing loading 38oz/in
Price of 4 x ST40s $400 inc tax on top end!!


So that being said, what will you have to suggest and guide me.


Sammy

[aceplant00]

I think just the cost for the lipo batteries to power it would exceed the 400 dollar mark. I am no expert but have looked a bit into conversion costs for some smaller planes then your connie sammie and it has costed more.

[moo]

I've been eyeing a 40 size power system too, and it would be in the $120 - $150 range without a charger. Then again you'll never have to worry about fuel, noise, and cleanup.

[Guest]

Eric,

I would imagine this price tag is just for one set up only, let see if i were to multiply that by 4 it equals to $600.00 for my model. What does this consists of ie: Brush less motors, esc's batteries and chargers!, what brand these would be and how many cell batteries these are and at what volts?..

[moo]

[moo]

[moo]

Geeignete Luftschrauben bei folgenden Zellenzahlen (Lipo) mit Kapazitäten von min. 2,2 – 4,0Ah > die angegebene Stromaufnahme bei allen Varianten ist im Stand gemessen und entsprechen der max. Startleistung

Anwendungsbeispiele mit Lipo-Akku:

3S = APC 12x6" >Schub 2,3Kg / Luftstrom 85Km/h / 42A

11x9 or 12x8 if you want to fly faster

[Guest]

Originally Posted by moo

Right, $80 to $200 difference buys you how many cases of fuel? Two cases? Three?

[I]/I]

How long to start and tune four engines? Each time.

How long to clean up the exhaust?

Glow plugs?

Electric starter, battery, and glow drivers?

Hearing protectors?

Spare fingers?

Good luck.

Let see.

Yeah you do save on fuel in long run but what about initial cost!

If tuned properly, few seconds once glow igniter is hooked and starter is there.

You take your time cleaning it, its all fun.

OS#8 lasts long time.

Once you have full field box equipment, they go long ways too

No need for ear protections unless ducted fans or tune pipes are running ..

At times, depends on the model size.

I see both have advantages and dis advantages, i guess it all comes down to initial cost of conversion. Now $200 extra is not to to bad as long as it stays there, what else is needed in order to get these motors, esc's batteries running and working good.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by moo

about 500 W

I see your trepidation, you want someone else to design the power system for you if you are going to spend that kind of money, that and you want it for less than the price of engines (not engines, throttle servos, fuel tanks and tubing, fuel fillers, glow plugs, glow drivers...).

Good luck with that.

Hmmm who said that!, all i am asking is what types of costs are involved in this conversion Vs glow equipment!, i never said anything about designing something just for my model..

[aceplant00]

I would talk to some of the electric gurus here on the site to help you dtermine the requirements for the plane. If I have it right you would require about 3000 watts of power top end. This being a 4 engine plane each motor would need to deliver 750 watts. Start there and see what is available in that range. The lipos are what is going to set the price. This can get costly as typicaslly have 2 sets. Pain in the ass to fly for 10 minutes and wait an hour while the batteries charge. Also lipos are not for the beginner. You need good chargers etc.