1. What is the Power Calculation for Electric Motors?

The power calculation for model airplane electric motors determines the electrical power required to produce a given thrust at a specific velocity, accounting for motor and propeller efficiency. This helps in selecting appropriate motor and battery combinations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power equation:

Where:

• \( Thrust \) — Force produced by the propeller (Newtons)
• \( Velocity \) — Airspeed of the aircraft (meters/second)
• \( Efficiency \) — Combined efficiency of motor and propeller (decimal 0-1)

Explanation: The equation calculates the electrical power input needed to overcome aerodynamic drag and maintain flight, accounting for energy losses in the system.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is crucial for selecting appropriate motor size, predicting flight performance, and ensuring battery capacity matches flight duration requirements.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter thrust in Newtons (measure or estimate from propeller specs), velocity in m/s (convert from mph if needed), and typical efficiency (0.7-0.9 for good systems). All values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical efficiency value?
A: Good quality systems range 0.7-0.9. Use 0.85 as a starting estimate if unsure.

Q2: How do I measure thrust?
A: Use a thrust stand or scale under the aircraft pointing vertically, at full throttle.

Q3: Does this account for battery voltage?
A: No, this gives total power. Divide by battery voltage to get current draw in amps.

Q4: What about climb performance?
A: This calculates level flight power. Add 20-50% for climb capability.

Q5: How does propeller size affect this?
A: Larger propellers typically produce more thrust at lower RPM but require more torque.