On board battery(ies) for powering radios/Flarm etc

Neal Alders wrote on 10/13/2020 10:56 AM:
Thanks for that link. Price is decent, under a $100 for a 10 amp hour battery. I think I could easily over double that capacity with a couple power tool batteries in the same cubic space, however, the cost would be 4 times that.

LiPo tech has come a Looooooong way in the last 5 years. I cannot recall hearing about a LiPo combusting during use in a long time. Even at the ultra high amp draws I use in my chop saw, the batteries dont even get warm.

I was always anti-battery power tool until my first Milwaukee impact driver/hammer drill set 2 years ago. I have spent the last year renovating my house and upgrading all my tools. I am nearly 100% cordless now. I just had a wild idea that perhaps some of this new battery tech can come the way of soaring. I wasn't sure if anyone else was out there doing it.

Instrument power is easily and cheaply solved with several brands of LiFe 12 volt batteries.
What we'd really like to see is better batteries for electric sailplanes (aka "traction
batteries"), specially more energy/mass and lower cost. Smaller would be useful, too, but not
nearly so much.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1

Im waiting for Super Capacitors to get perfected. I think LiPo and brushless batteries have made significant strides, and Super Capacitors would further that another generation of capability in electric powered aircraft.

Speaking of which,

Anyone know anything about this side by side self launch 15 meter bird, the Pipstrel Taurus? Electric or gas power?

Neal Alders wrote on 10/14/2020 9:05 AM:
Im waiting for Super Capacitors to get perfected. I think LiPo and brushless batteries have made significant strides, and Super Capacitors would further that another generation of capability in electric powered aircraft.

Speaking of which,

Anyone know anything about this side by side self launch 15 meter bird, the Pipstrel Taurus? Electric or gas power?

Look at the Pipstrel website for details and dealer info; also, there is at least one of each
(gas/electric) in the US.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1

I have explored the website, was just looking to see if anyone had any experience or an opinion on them is all.

Neal Alders wrote on 10/14/2020 9:31 AM:
I have explored the website, was just looking to see if anyone had any experience or an opinion on them is all.

I suggest using the FAA registration data base for owners, and contacting them. There was also
an article or two in Soaring Magazine in the last 2-3 years - good starting places. The people
with these gliders in the US generally aren't on RAS, so you need to find them. Or call the
dealer and talk to him - he might be willing to give you owner contact info.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1

At 16:31 14 October 2020, Neal Alders wrote:
I have explored the website, was just looking to see if anyone had any
experience or an opinion on them is all.

I've flown with several in typical Alpine conditions but I haven't flown
one. Several petrol (gas) versions operate at Sisteron, French Alps, and
seem to be universally well liked by their pilots. The good features a
-
Simple to taxi due to twin wheel U/C & steerable tail wheel
Good climb rate
Spacious cockpit
Good in flight visibility
Reliable Rotax two-stroke engine
In Europe it's an ultralight so (currently) outside EASA admin
Build quality very good
Light & simple to rig/de-rig
Good support from the makers
If you a coming from a conventional glider you will notice the Va and Vne
are low. They seem to climb well, especially when you remember you
have a two seat self-launch glider with a 15m wing span. Glide
performance is adequate but reportedly you need to keep the speed
down. If you are coming from a modern 15/18m ship you will likely feel
the performance limits.

I saw one in Moriarty a few years back.Â* As I recall it was a gas
powered version.Â* And, while I liked the look of it, it appeared to me
to be very lightly constructed.Â* Just my opinion.

On 10/14/2020 10:31 AM, Neal Alders wrote:
I have explored the website, was just looking to see if anyone had any experience or an opinion on them is all.

--
Dan, 5J

On 10/14/20 10:31 AM, Neal Alders wrote:
I have explored the website, was just looking to see if anyone had any experience or an opinion on them is all.


50 hp in a two place side by side with stubby wings, engine mfg out of
business. I would say it's significantly underpowered if trying to fly
out of higher elevation airports, anything over 4500 ft msl on a hot day
with two people.