Electric power for dummys......

This is the motor I'm using:
Astro Flight 4535

MWD

 

https://hackaday.com/2019/07/20/designing-compact-gasoline-generator-prototype-for-drone-use/

This seems like a good idea to me, especially upsizing to ultralight or experimental size...

 

Please post some information on the aircraft and performance when you get a chance.

 

I watched all 3 videos and was exceptionally impressed by how well-spoken the man presented the information.

 

I watched 1/4 of the 1st one and was very unimpressed by his knowledge.

 

I got the impression he was just dumbing down the video for general consumption. The rest of it didn't provide any more insight for those of us that have been researching this topic for a while.

 

The fellow in the video sure is happy with his THUNDERGULL with Electric Power:

 

What many owner/pilots want to know is which motor/controller/battery combination is compatible with their airplane when the current VW, Rotax, Continental engine quits.
Most of the first production batches will be electric retrofits to existing airframes ..... the same way that the new electric racers are based on Goodyear/Formula One airframes.

 

Unfortunately, electric isn't yet suitable for powering draggy aircraft.

 

At least not for very long or far

 

I would think given the experience level with this new technology some of those electric installation will be quitting also. Is there anyone selling a proven whole system for our aircraft sizes.....and it seems like everybody wants a different capacity, or weight or power.....which makes marketing a complete "proven" system somewhat difficult.

 

A system to replace a 100hp engine just isn't possible without an extremely heavy battery or a very short run time. The batteries are just not there yet. So no, there are no drop in IC replacement systems and won't be for many years. If you want an electric aircraft today that won't make you a laughing stock, you must use a low drag airframe. Think motorglider, or wait another 10-20 years.

Numbers are always good to get the point across:

A pretty good (and very expensive) 1000lb battery could supply 60hp for one hour.

You can wait decades until batteries are way lighter for your aircraft designed around an IC engine, or work with you can get today. Purists may howl. But personally, I like the idea of a hybrid to provide a bit of extra oomph for a few minutes of takeoff and initial climb power.

 

You are spot on. I'm not even sure the Formula electric guys realize how much the battery is going to weigh. It's going to need about 300lbs by my estimate. That's not a huge problem for a new design, all carbon airframe, but for a retrofit that's tough to deal with. You'd just about have to put them in the wing for structural reasons, but for cg that's too far back.

 

For the prospective experimenters out there, I just cobbled up a quick spreadsheet to calculate range.