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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Once I got the li-po chargers, deep-discharge
batteries and chargers, 3 sets of batteries and a semblance of a routine, I
could knock out five flights in a couple hour +/- practice session. The
Hacker set-up worked great. The 3200 batteries started losing it at about
25 cycles each. This is what I've gathered for reasonably light--just
under 11 lb. wide-bodied airplanes. They take 60-70 amps at times--more
times than I think many will admit. 3200s last about 25 cycles; 4000s
about 30-35 cycles; 5300 and 6000s about 50-60 cycles and the 8000s some
additional cycles(but probably too heavy). I think Jason said something
about electric is not for everyone and he is probably right---for now. But
once you get in the groove and have a routine, it's very satisfying to just go
out and as someone else said--pound out the flights! The problem IS the
batteries and longevity and staying under 11 lbs. I'm no expert, but I did
recommend to the manufacturer I was primarily working with that they DO NOT want
to promote the current batteries to pattern junkies that do serious
practicing(35-60+ flts/week) unless they are prepared to send out a
replacement set about once a week--free--during the season with impeccable
service. They did agree with my assessment along with the linearity of
longevity ratio to capacity. They also said that a few months is a long
time in this business and things are evolving quickly--so maybe next year.
We'll see. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've heard of some guys getting some big numbers
out of their packs--but I am curious if they make weight. I'll bet they
get these things to where they aren't so volatile, charge quickly and don't get
so hot in the fairly near future. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But I could be wrong.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Richard</FONT></DIV>
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