Thanks for the response Ron, just looked up the weight of generator/starter/battery...the bare essentials. Generator: 9.75 lbs. Starter: 16.0 lbs. Gill Battery: 21.0 lbs. So the bare minimum totals 46.75 lbs...all up front which would have to be compensated in the tail which adds even more weight...plus battery cables and like as you mentioned. I never intended to have a transponder or light system though. I'm leaning heavily towards not having an electrical system. Just out of curiosity, and I know you've been flying yours for some time, but at 800 lbs empty you must exceed the design gross weight of 925 by at least 150 lbs. Do you feel comfortable doing this? Matt --- Ron Wanttaja <ikvamar@gte.net> wrote: > FlyBaby > > matthew wise wrote: > > > > Has anybody been able to meet the design empty > weight > > of 605 lbs using a C-85 w/electrical system? I'm > > debating on whether or not to use the > > generator/starter to save weight. Any comments on > the > > subject? > > I have a C-85 with full electrical system, including > lights, strobe, and > transponder. It comes in at an 805-pound empty > weight. The guy who > built my airplane waaaaaayyyyy overbuilt it as well > (1/4" plywood, > 0.040" aluminum cowling, etc.), but I figure the > majority of the weight > it due to the electrical stuff. Battery, starter, > and generator > probably total about 60 pounds or so, plus the > circuit breakers, wire, > coax, meters, enclosure, antennas, ground planes, > and all the other > stuff necessary. N500F had a C-85 without > electrical; it weighed about > 700 pounds. > > Leave the electrical system off...you'll be much, > much happier. > > Ron Wanttaja