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Cooling the motors isn't a big problem. Their heat output is around 10% of the shaft power, compared to combustion engines that put out 200% of shaft power as h
by tlb 7y ago
Cooling the motors isn't a big problem. Their heat output is around 10% of the shaft power, compared to combustion engines that put out 200% of shaft power as heat. While piston engines need a lot of cooling air flow and often have cowls that are mostly open at the front, an electric propellor drive can have a small cooling vent.
The batteries may produce as much heat as the motor, and they have a more limited temperature range. Their service life decreases when run above 40 C. Tesla batteries are liquid-cooled.
- Mountain_Skies 7y agoCould low temperatures especially at higher altitudes be a problem? Aircraft probably get exposed to higher temperature gradients and in much shorter periods of time than a typical Tesla would encounter. Not sure about Lithium Sulfur batteries but reduced capacity at lower temperatures is common for many battery types.
- tlb 7y agoIt's certainly not a problem if the batteries are in the climate-controlled fuselage. It might be tricky to keep them insulated inside the wings (where fuel typically is.)