Electric VS Fuel

[javajohnmcc]

Which is better, electric or nitro powered helis? Which is less/more expensive to fly? Which requires less/more maintenance?

I currently fly a Blade 400. The Blade 400 is my first heli. I'm trying to decide what my next heli should be. I've been looking at the Trex 500 but I was thinking, why not get a nitro bird?

I appreciate any info you guys can provide!

[xf100t]

[vikas]

[str8huckin]

[legine]

That question is UN-ANSWERABLE

What I can tell you is that electric will always be more powerful, but shorter flight times.
There is no such thing as maintenance on electric helis (apart from usual checking of screws)
And nitro is dirty

[HELINHAWAII]

The two are really about the same cost wise...

I prefer nitro to electric but I'm a gear-headed grease monkey. Electric is nice and clean but just doesn't appeal to my senses.

[Beaver Rat]

Only get a nitro if you are prepared to fly a 50 size bird and have a flying field near you. You can fly electrics at some parks, but you can't really fly nitros at any parks.

[newhelliguy]

Get 4-6 of each and you can decide for yourself. I love both. They both have positives and negs although with the cheaper batteries the electrics are way more appealing.

[HeLiPLT2]

Well I fly both and I think both are awsome. I like my 2 electrics because they are small and portable and I could fly almost anywhere (like a baseball field/park). The nitro on the other hand is just cool all together the noise, the smoke, the size...ect. I really can't find a down side to either but I think I fly the nitro alot more cuz its my newest/biggest and the coolest lookin.

P.S. whatever you decide to get you most likely won't be disappointed. If you do go nitro make sure you got fuel availability and a designated field. And as far as maitenance nitro requires more.

[Rªzª]

lol i checked here to see if anyone had posted dead horses... lol

[FlamingDrongo]

Are gassers messy? What about turbines are they messy?

[Creaky Cactus]

Turbine?

The closest I'll EVER get to a turbine is Skiddz's Bergen Turbine.


http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=128067


I wish I had enough money for a turbine. Right now I'm trying to save money for new batteries for my birds.

[snjbird]

Ah, the old multiple floggings of a deceased Equus ferus caballus…

This is an ages old battle, some will fall on one side or the other, me I like them both, and I’ve spent a bunch on both. If you want to do 3D and have a place to fly, any one of the new hot .50 size nitros will do just fine. If space is a limited commodity, then a 500 class electric would be my first choice.

[Pod-n-Boomer]

I was going to get the trex 600e but went with the 600n after seeing how much the batteries cost! Unless you have many packs, you can't just go and fly on the fly because you have to wait for charging to finish. Smaller helis have smaller and more cost friendly batteries so they're great. I don't notice my nitro as being high maintenance or messy though either. And the glow engine adds to the flying experience with it's sound, and smell - especially if you mix with Klotz Supertechiplate.

[mcannell]

Originally Posted by legine

That question is UN-ANSWERABLE

What I can tell you is that electric will always be more powerful, but shorter flight times.
There is no such thing as maintenance on electric helis (apart from usual checking of screws)
And nitro is dirty

Not at all sure about that. It must depend on the nitro% being run. Also, the power figures for electric don't include the efficiency of the motor and ESC. A gas engine is quoted for shaft power. In bigger engines going from 10% -> 25% nitro doubles power I think. A 1.6HP nitro heli is 1.8kW. At 22V that would be ~91 amps at 90% efficiency (if you can get to 90%) . Nitro engines are not dirty, they just lubricate all the moving parts for you...

There are other (perhaps more important) reasons to choose one over the other

Cheers

[Slyster]

HERE..

As great as electrics are (cheap lipos, no mess, quiet etc).. the nitros have 3 HUGE advantages...

- Power/RPM stay the same throughout the entire flight
- No lipos slowly getting more tired after 50+ cycles
- No time consuming recharging

I really think electric will NEVER cause nitro to go away as some have predicted. Unless many things change! But I'll probably stay electric anyway.. since my local field (5 mins away) is electric only.. and the nearest nitro field is 45 minutes away.. BOO!

[TheBum]

Electrics start out stronger but get weaker as the flight goes on due to voltage drop. Nitros start out weaker but get stronger as the flight goes on due to a reduction in fuel weight.

Electrics have less power in cold weather due to reduced battery capacity. Nitros have more power in cold weather due to a richer mixture.

[brtmac]

Get a Radikal gasser. 600 size. $4 gallon fuel. 30+ minute flights if you want them.

As for my take on the difference between electric and nitro:

Electrics:

- use a governor and you don't have the problem with losing power through the flight
- 5C charging means 20 minutes to recharge a pack
- No time consuming cleanup of nitro slime after flying
- No engines wearing out and needing rebuilt
- 10+ minute flights if you want them by running lower headspeed

[jndell]

For me- being semi-newbyish I kike the electric, I keep my 500 in the car at all times so as to sneek in flights whenever I can wherever I can-for the 500 that's a good many places! More stick time=better skills. Not owning a nitro I can't speak in their defense, but I think there maybe one in my future somewhere But for now the simplicity,and portability of electric is very appealing to me-just remember to carry multiple packs and invest in a good ballencing charger. Oh, and my car doesn't smell like nitro! YET!

[airpup86C]

I never thought I wanted a nitro bird till I had a chance to fly one. After I landed I said to myself, "I want a heli that smokes!" Ordered my Knight 3D later that week.

Al