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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 21, 2010 23:27:47 GMT 12
Thanks Bruce. Now I see it. It looks quite cool!
I guess a solar panel on the trailer could be another option.
Yes the risk of batteries exploding is a worry. Even the tiny AA sized rechargables (Nickel Hydride I think they are called) that many people including me use are ticking time bombs. I saw a Fire Scene Investigation programme on TV One a few months back. A guy was recharging a couple of these on his workshop bench overnight, and his workshop's security camera captured the batteries exploding spontaneously, igniting other stuff on the bench, then neaby classic cars and the whole workshop went up. The investigators discovered that if you happen to drop one of those batteries then that's all it needs to set the chain off that causes the overheating, fire and explosion when rechraging. They simply dropped some onto concrete not too hard then connected them to the charger, and bang. Bloody scary. i use them in my mouse, camera, remote control, etc. Turns out when you read the fineprint on the battery they do warn you they may explode. Crikey. In the case of a bigger battery in a plane there's less chance of dropping it but who knows what else risks are involved.
Another thought is if you are flying to other places will other airfields have electricity for you to plug into? Fuel might be on tap, but will they supply power?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2010 6:51:37 GMT 12
It does look like a rocketship Bruce, and the electric option has piqued my interest! Ishall be following the project closely, it looks very, very cool!
Dave - Sikorsky had an electric heli at Oshkosh this year! A 200hp Schweizer (Hughes) 300, not sure if it has flown as yet though.
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Post by lumpy on Nov 22, 2010 19:11:50 GMT 12
It is amazing the leaps and bounds taken with battery / electric motor technology lately , but as you point out Dave , they can be dangerous , particulaly the Lithium based ones . Standard pratice with LiPo batteries ( as commonly used in RC electric planes and helicopters ) is to store them in a spicial fire proof bag , and then to place the bag in a fire proof container ( such as a pot ) . Above all - never leave them unattended whilst charging , they really are that dangerous ( although most people dont have any proplems ) .
Awesome power units though , and seems like a really cool project Bruce !
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Post by Radialicious on Nov 30, 2010 1:28:08 GMT 12
She's a grouse looking machine Bruce. I guess details at this stage are sketchy?
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Post by Bruce on Nov 30, 2010 9:40:07 GMT 12
very early days yet! I havent even done much with the fuselage as I've slung it from the rafters to avoid distracting me from CKE. I will have to devise a finance plan for it as that will have a bearing on the direction it takes! battery weight is the big issue at the moment as the 54hp engine I'd like to use has an 87kg Battery pack - which is a bit too heavy. I could use the 27Hp motor which will mean a huge weight saving to a 33kg Battery pack (Total powerplant weight 46kg - a bit lighter than a Bristol Hercules!) but to get a decent performance out of it the Max weight would need to be about 220kg. It is acheivable, but will almost certainly be expensive! If I dont go electric, I will probably cut the tail off and make it a twin boom arrangement (Vampire like) to avoid the troublesome shaft drive.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 30, 2010 21:40:30 GMT 12
Wow, keep us informed Bruce, very interesting idea indeed.
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Post by lumpy on Nov 30, 2010 22:55:21 GMT 12
She's a grouse looking machine Bruce. I guess details at this stage are sketchy? Dont worry Al , I got your joke ! ;D The other issue with electric , is of course charge time . Where you can refuel in a few minutes , might take overnight to recharge . This means you might have to buy 2 (or more )batteries , = more cost . |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 1, 2010 0:05:44 GMT 12
Hopefully this will take it from the "sketchy" stage...  ... to the "conceptual" stage for you Bruce   |
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Post by Bruce on Dec 1, 2010 8:55:01 GMT 12
 like it! BTW it wont need the word "experimental" because it is a Class 1 Microlight... but mere details! yep, Completely missed Als joke! Lumpy, The Yuneec System currently advertises charge times of 2-3 hours for 1-2 hours flight time the big 54 Hp powerplant, and similar for the 27 HP one. I have no doubt this will improve by the time I can afford the stuff. For the smaller motor and Battery I wouldnt mind having a second pack, as its not too heavy to change out, but for the bigger powerplant 86kg is a bit much to lift out each time. Its not entirely practical for doing lots of flights in a day, but its not that sort of aircraft - and I lose concentration if I do too much flying at once! Biggest issue will be cost - I'll have to marry in to money! |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 1, 2010 9:13:00 GMT 12
I wasn't sure about the Experimental but thought the piccie just needed something. Perhaps some nose art would be better, or a nickname like Bruce's Bullet.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Dec 1, 2010 9:22:31 GMT 12
'Endeavour' Pilot: Captain Cook
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Post by Bruce on Dec 1, 2010 9:27:25 GMT 12
Oddly enough "Bullet" was a name I was considering, but if I go electric I thought maybe "Electron" (very small, fast electrically charged particle)
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Post by Bruce on Dec 1, 2010 10:51:23 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 1, 2010 12:16:33 GMT 12
if I go electric I thought maybe "Electron" (very small, fast electrically charged particle) In that case, I have given your conceptual design a new rego and a paint job. ;D  |
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Post by Bruce on Dec 1, 2010 12:30:26 GMT 12
I'm a bit concerned about the towelling hat though!.....  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 1, 2010 13:06:19 GMT 12
Yeah, that came with the original photo I pinched the canopy from, and I thought you're gonna need a hat so left it in. I know you're more of a basball cap type though.
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Post by bobgod on Dec 26, 2010 16:16:33 GMT 12
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