as are the FES batteries in current installs.
> On 22 Sep 2016, at 9:21 AM, Future Aviation Pty. Ltd. > <[email protected]> wrote: > >> For me, I would rather stay with petrol in spite of the disadvantages, >> because for me, well up on the list is the fact that battery >> technology is changing much faster than 2 strokes and given the recent >> posting on Schempp-Hirth spares, I would not be prepared to bank on >> something which might be obsolete in 5 years. > > Chris, this is precisely the reason why the ASG 32 El carries the battery > pack > in the engine bay! Including its steel container it weighs 68 kg but in this > location > it is easily accessible or exchangeable if ever a more advanced technology > becomes available in future. > > All competing electrically powered gliders carry the batteries in the wings. > It not > only limits the water carrying capacity (and presents problems during rigging > and > de-rigging) but it also requires wing modifications if ever a new battery > generation > comes along. The chances of that happening are very high indeed given that > the > car industry is presently investing many billions of dollars (or Euros) into > battery > research & development. > > But that is only my opinion! > > Kind regards to all! > > Bernard > > >> On 22 Sep 2016, at 8:08 AM, DMcD <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>>> How any performance chasing glider pilot can willingly accept a turbulent >>>> airflow over the entire length of the fuselage will ever remain a mystery >>>> to me. >> >> Yes. However there are many pilots who are not just chasing >> performance at the expense of other factors. There are people who put >> other factors above performance in the shopping list, such as >> convenience and safety, long term maintenance and re-sale value. >> >> And considering many of the performance claims of manufacturers and >> their agents in the gliding world, a buyer could be forgiven for >> making up his or her own mind about these factors. >> >> A number of people on this list have expressed their desire to have no >> more out landings. If this is top of the list, then an FES may be a >> good way to go… on balance. >> >> For me, I would rather stay with petrol in spite of the disadvantages, >> because for me, well up on the list is the fact that battery >> technology is changing much faster than 2 strokes and given the recent >> posting on Schempp-Hirth spares, I would not be prepared to bank on >> something which might be obsolete in 5 years. >> >> Incidentally, the DG-400 has a system which elevates the propellor and >> engine which relies (if that's the right word) on a small electric >> motor which was originally a Bosch windscreen wiper motor. It runs >> with a planetary gearbox so there are only light loads on the motor so >> in a sense, the motor is adequate for the job. >> >> The problem is that you cannot rely on something like a windscreen >> wiper motor being manufactured for ever and the part was in time made >> obsolete. Far be it from me to relate this to DG's wicked policy of >> making users pay for maintenance manuals etc, but only a few years >> ago, they certified a different, modern electric motor for fitting to >> DG-400s. It's expensive but what would you rather have? >> >> DG also certified a different coolant pump for early 800s which I >> believe are also inside the paid maintenance contract area. I guess >> this could have been fitted to a Ventus with a Solo engine too. >> >> Long term availability of spares is a serious issue with powered >> gliders and with my limited experience of electronics, I'll take old >> petrol tech over power electronics and batteries for a while yet. >> >> D >> _______________________________________________ >> Aus-soaring mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://lists.base64.com.au/listinfo/aus-soaring > > _______________________________________________ > Aus-soaring mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.base64.com.au/listinfo/aus-soaring
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