CHOOSING THE BEST RC HELICOPTER POWER SOURCE
Probably the very first choice you want to make when deciding on the best RC helicopter is what will power your heli. By deciding this right now, your list is narrowed substantially and makes your RC helicopter purchase decision much easier. To make the best RC helicopter choice, let’s look at the pros and cons of each of the four power options available today. There is no candidate "best" power choice. Each have strengths and weaknesses, and what you eventually decide to purchase will be based on what your needs are for your best RC helicopter. The following discussion is to point out different advantages and disadvantages of each RC helicopter power option. If you want detailed explanations of each type, simply click on the specific links for a more in depth examination.
ELECTRIC RC HELICOPTERS
Advantages:Easier to set up. No difficult tuning of carburetors or exhaust systems.Less likely to cut out in mid flight due to running out of fuel or ignition problems.Lower operational costs (no fuel to purchase).Flying weight and center of gravity (CG) don't change throughout the flight as they do with fuel powered models.Much quieter. Some municipalities have strict noise regulations and an electric RC helicopter may be your only option if you wish to fly in a field close to home.Electric RC helicopters can be very small – some only 6-8 inches in length, perfect for inside the house.No
messy oil residue
all over the helicopter and surrounding area.Easy to start and stop. No special starting equipment such as glow plug power panels and starter systems.Can be flown indoors with no poisonous exhaust gasses being produced.Better for the environment.Disadvantages: Power to weight ratio not as good as nitro, but getting closer all the time.Currently limited in size of helicopter to under 1600mm (63 inches) rotor diameter. Size for size - higher initial purchase costs over nitro because large capacity lithium batteries although coming down in price are still very expensive.Large lithium batteries can be dangerous and catch fire or explode if not charged and handled properly.If you don’t want to wait between flights to cool and charge your battery, you will need at least one or two extra batteries, adding to the cost.
NITRO RC HELICOPTERS
Advantages: Most power to weight ratio of any power option.Refuel and go... no waiting around between flights to change or charge batteries.Proven design and long life expectancy.Generally less expensive than an equal sized electric model when you take into account the expense of high capacity Li-po or Li-ion batteries.The most crash proof of all power options... nitro engines are almost indestructible.More nitro rc helicopter kits to choose from than any other option – electrics are catching up though.Noise – some of us love the high pitched sound of a nitro engine turning at 17,000 rpm.Disadvantages: Noisy – some hate that high pitched noise. Nitro engines are very noisy only to be topped by turbine engines in decibels produced.
Messy
- Nitro fuel is around 20% oil, and that fine oil mist in the exhaust gets everywhere. It is for most people the very worst aspect of nitro engines.
Fuel tank
placement and how it affects the center of gravity is important.Hard to tune and set up correctly... especially for people with no prior nitro model engine experience. Can stop running in middle of flight if mixture is not right or glow plug fails.Glow fuel is only available at hobby shops and because it is classified as a hazardous material is difficult to ship.Higher operating costs than electric or gas RC helicopters. Nitro engines are thirsty and nitro glow fuel costs much more than gasoline. You also have to replace glow plugs from time to time.Vibration prone
starting shafts
and
fans
, or inconvenient belt start systems.
GAS RC HELICOPTERS
Advantages:Not as messy as a nitro engine – low oil to fuel mix ratio means most of the oil gets burnt in the combustions process.Easier to tune than a nitro engine, not as prone to cutting out in middle of flight if mixture is not perfect.Runs at lower RPM so it is not as noisy and doesn’t produce as much high frequency vibration as a nitro engine.Runs on ordinary gasoline and 2-cycle engine oil that can be purchased anywhere.Usually easier to start. Long life expectancy. Less costly to operate than a nitro heli.Gasoline is readily available anywhere, and costs much less than nitro fuel.Gas engines don't use as much fuel as nitro engines meaning longer flying times and smaller fuel tanks than an equivalent powered nitro engine. Disadvantages: Lowest power to weight ratio of all power options.Limited selection of gas RC helicopter models.Higher price than electric or nitro because the helicopters are larger.Lager reciprocating piston mass produces strong lower frequency vibrations.High voltage
ignition
and spark plugs produce radio interference - not an issue with PCM or DSM radios.Heavy models means more damage usually occurs in a crash.
TURBINE RC HELICOPTERS
Advantages:Realism... it doesn’t get any more real than this.Noise and smell! Yup, they’re noisy - loudest of the bunch, but what a great noise. The sweet smell of jet exhaust is hard to beat.Powerful enough for very large RC helicopters – scale or pod & boom.The challenges and rewards are very high.Rare and elite.Disadvantages: Very expensive.Only a few companies provide turbine specific helicopter kits, parts availability and waiting time could be an issue.Most Complicated.Higher operating costs compared to equivalent sized gas powered models, fuel costs much less than nitro however.Heavy damage costs even in light crashes.
For all beginners the best RC helicopter power option is either going to be electric or nitro; so concentrate on those two and weigh the pros and cons carefully. I can’t tell you which is better because it depends on your own circumstances. Your best RC helicopter power choice might be very cut and dry. For example if you only want to fly indoors – that makes electric your only option. On the other hand, if you want to fly for hours on end and can’t afford several back up battery packs, then a nitro might be your best RC helicopter. If you are experienced with nitro or electric helicopters already, your best RC helicopter choice might be a gas powered heli. If you want to start flying large RC helicopters, gas is a good way to go. If you want to get into very large scale RC helicopters, but don’t want the very high costs and complexity that go along with Turbine – a large gas heli will fit the bill very well. Remember, power to weight with gas is the worst of the bunch... this makes them perfect for general scale flying and light aerobatics, but not for high powered 3D maneuvers. Finally – if you are a very competent heli builder and flier and want the ultimate statement in complexity, realism, and cost – your best RC helicopter will be a Turbine powered model. After that, you only have one option – spend a few million on a real helicopter.
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