Re: Trex 700 gas conversion

by Guest 2009-12-31, 14:04

What an interesting thread Very Happy

I think that what one has to look at is what do you want out of a model helicopter Question

If the answer is economy and ease of maintenance then you can buy a petrol helicopter such as the Minature Aircraft Spectra G complete with G26 engine for roughly the same price as a 700 nitro with an OS91.

If you want out and out power for competition then electric is the way to go but at the huge cost of battery packs and chargers

If you want performance and are prepared to pay the price of glow fuel and put up with the maintenece required (bearings etc) then the 91 nitro helicopter is the way to go.

I would say that converting an existing IC model to petrol is not a cost effective way of owning a petrol model. A much better route is to buy a dedicated petrol one.

It is interesting that the Americans are at present trying to get the rules on engine sizes for competition changed to alow larger IC engines so that they can keep up with the electric models Exclamation

I bought my 700 nitro because a) of the extra stability that the larger models have in windy conditions b) They are easier to see c) the engines are far less stressed and generate their power at lower revs. I could have gone the petrol route but these machines will never have the power and agility of the IC 90s. Electric was ruled out on cost grounds.

Running costs were never a major consideration as my 700 will be very much a "Sunday best" machine until my flying skills reach a level that alow me to exploit the performance available. I guess that then a second mortgage willbe an option to cover fuel costs Exclamation

Until that time my 600 will get some stick and hopefully take me to B test and beyond Smile

.

I do think that we need to look at the safety aspect of operating all helicpters this coming year (not just the 90 size ones) as Zaid and I proved earlier this year that it is not always easy to keep your eyes on two models that are moving fast and the results of an air to air can be VERY expensice and potentialy dangerous. We were actualy trying to get out of each others way when we hit Evil or Very Mad

I would like to see a move towards always having a spotter on the flight line when two or more helicopters are flying at the same time and perhaps the committee would like to discuss thid further.

All the best for the New Year Very Happy

DaveS

by Brian Colclough 2009-12-31, 15:05

Dave after that flight I had with you and Zaid early in the season when I think we had more near misses than Heathrow's seen in the last decade I think your spotter idea might be no bad thing. I certainly found out the colour of adrenaline that day and was a mite glad to get my Ergo back on terra firma, definately a lasting memory of 2009 for me as it fades into the history books.

by Guest 2009-12-31, 15:19

Yea Brian, I forgot that one Very Happy

It did seem that on that day the machines acted as magnets as we all seemed toi arrive in the same right hand corner of the sky at that same time on a number of ocassions Twisted Evil

Hope that was not the reason the Ergo has not been out a lot, I was`nt chasing you HONEST Smile

Yes I think safety must be paramount next year, nothing draconian just common sense.
I learnt a lot from that air to air that Zaid and I had.

All the best

DaveS

by Brian Colclough 2009-12-31, 15:33

Funny you should say that, I was just thinking the other day I must get some 10% Bekra change my fuel clunk and give the Ergo some air under it's blades Trex 700 gas conversion - Page 2 Copter10

Trex 700 gas conversion - Page 2 Copter10

see you next year Trex 700 gas conversion - Page 2 Icon_cool

by Guest 2009-12-31, 16:30

Brian Colclough wrote:Convert it to petrol first then do the calcs then convert to leccy "if you must"

Zaidy
Yeah, just go petrol, you know that's what you fancied. You've got the model. Just don't tell anyone except Dave. Do it.
You won't need to clean the gas engine out either once you get rid of the dreaded nitro. Horrid stuff - makes people violent.
What calcs? Since when did you invite other people to advise you on your expenses with your model helicopter flying ? ? ?

I bet more than one follows you

by Guest 2009-12-31, 16:46

Look forward to it Brian Very Happy

DaveS

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