RE: Nitro fuel storage.
and I hope this information helps. The old fuel mixing dinosaur.
Posted on: 9/30/2009 11:34 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9135790

RE: fuel mixing container ?
I recommend using metric graduated cylinders, even in the U.S. (among the SLOWEST to implement metric measurements!). For small to medium lots, you can use a 1,000 ml NALGENE graduated cylinder. It is much easier, and more accurate, to use ml instead of ounces. You can get one at a supply house for scientific products, like Fischer Scientific out of Atlanta. Because I mix a LOT of small lots (gallon or less) for airplane engines, helicopters, boats and cars, it is very convenient. With a single 1,000 ml graduated cylinder, you can mix up pints, quarts and gallons, most accurate for quarts and gallons. Since I do a lot of this, I have a 100 ml, 1,000 ml and a 4,000 ml (just over one gallon) Nalgene cylinders. You can get a glass graduated cylinder or one of Nalgene (sort of whitish plastic). The Nalgene does not break, is light and stands up okay to oil, methanol and nitromethane. Hope this helps
Posted on: 8/14/2009 8:54 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9015606

RE: Need a fuel Answer
Methanol evaporates easier and faster than nitromethane. The previous post is incorrect. Except for speed and a few other events, most people use much more nitromethane than their engines require in the U.S. Sometimes people will go from 10% nitro to 30% nitro to get a few hundred more rpm, sometimes less. For example, the Saito engines will run fine on 10-15% nitromethane. I am NOT talking about contest flying, competition and the like. I am talking about sport flying. In other countries, often nitromethane is not available, or even illegal to possess.
Posted on: 5/30/2009 12:02 PM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8811317

RE: Glow fuel
http://www.sigmfg.com/ Also PowerMaster Both make decent fuels. I mix all my own and have since I was 12 years old, and still buy by the barrels, still getting nitro okay. SIG generally uses more oil than other companies. A bit gooey, but great engine protection. PowerMaster fuels good too.
Posted on: 2/3/2009 12:38 PM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8433917

RE: sig champion 4 stroke fuel
I agree with the 10-12% range for oil for the large ST engines. You can use these engines with 8% Klotz Original Techniplate oil and add 2-4% AA castor or, slightly better, 2% Klotz Benol. The Benol has a higher film strength than regular AA castor. If hot where you live in the summer, use 3-4% castor in your fuel, for a total of at least 10% total oil and a maximum of 12% oil. I tend to use 12% total oil year around. We have run these engines on 3-5% nitro and they run fine. I would not run them with no nitro because you get a better idle and transition (and a little more power) with about 5% nitromethane. They do not benefit much more with 10% nitro, but that is fine too.
Posted on: 2/1/2009 8:56 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8425801

RE: Klotz 198
The Klotz Helicopter oil is a low viscosity oil and is used at 22-24% in 15-30% nitromethane fuels for helicopters. You can use it, but I would use it at 22% and 10-15% nitromethane. An even better solution is to use about 18% of that oil and the rest castor oil, if you have some. You can get a good AA grade castor from Klotz, Sig. Mfg. or other supplier. You can use Klotz benol, a better castor, with an even higher film strength, great for model engines. I do not recommend using just 18% heli oil for most 2-stroke engines. Best to use 22% helicopter oil, by simple volume.
Posted on: 11/8/2008 11:50 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8126697

RE: Sidewinder Fuel
I suggest you use 10 or 15% nitromethane in these engines and 18% oil. You can add castor to bring the oil up. 10% oil will not be enough for these engines. The old fuel mixing dinosaur.
Posted on: 11/7/2008 1:40 PM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8124011

RE: How Dangerous is this Stuff (Nitro)???
Don't breathe the fumes. Store at room temperature in the dark, tightly closed. Nitromethane is by far the most dangerous when heated in a closed, strong container. Then, it can be explosive. Otherwise, with proper handling, it is fine to use for modeling. I have known a few people who have stored it outside in the heat, and that is NOT good. I know that some people also skydive without a parachute, but they can do that only ONCE. :-)
Posted on: 11/5/2008 9:20 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8117360

RE: Ashland,VA sailing club
We have a group that meets on Sunday afternoons at the "boat Lake" in Byrd Park, Richmond. We have Solings, Victorias and a Nirvana II. The fellows in that group are trying to make it a club. We would love to see you there. Any Sunday with good sunshine and wind will get us out.
Posted on: 10/2/2008 9:49 PM by Author "Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8013866

RE: nirvana II tips and tuning guide
I will be sailing in steady winds tomorrow from 10-15 mph on a 5+ acre pond. What sort of set-up do you recommend? Should the shrouds be very tight or not so much? How about the backstay? Currently my boat has a lot more weather helm than I like. How do I fix that? Thanks.
Posted on: 9/6/2008 12:16 PM by Author "Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7926052

RE: Why synthetic oil?
used. Hope this information helps. Enjoy your flying! The old fuel mixing dinosaur.
Posted on: 8/19/2008 4:54 PM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7863681

RE: anything wrong with this blend??
AussiePilot: I would suggest you consider using KL-100 instead of the KL-200. The KL-100 has 20% Klotz Benol racing castor in it. I run 18% total oil, of which 14.4% is synthetic and 3.6% is castor. I personally run 15% nitro, which I have readily available here in the states in 5-gallon pails and 30-gallon barrels. I DO run this fuel in my 4-strokes. I recommend 2% castor in these 4-stroke engines, and no more than 4% to keep from gumming it up a bit. For your 2-strokes, you can use this fuel at 5% nitro fine, and NOT have to add another Cruel Power fuel to it for the castor content. IF you like, you can add 5 ounces of AA castor in the summer there for additional protection in the higher heat (2-strokes only) Also, Benol castor has a higher film strength than regular AA castor, and therefore, will stay on the crank for better lube on the bottom end. I am a Klotz dealer and have been mixing my own fuel since I was 12 years old and in competitive rat racing and combat control line. . You are using the original Techniplate, and the oil with the Benol in it is about the same price, so use the on with the Benol racing castor in it. It is 20% by volume Benol racing castor and 80% original Techniplate.
Posted on: 8/10/2008 7:41 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7829170

RE: Where To Buy Methanol And Castor?
Good castor by quarts and gallons from SIG, Klotz Benol racing castor is also great for making fuels, available from klotzlube.com on the Internet. Klotz 100 and 200 are also available as a good synthetic for mixing fuels.
Posted on: 5/9/2008 8:58 PM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7477140

RE: Ethanol
Yes you can buy nitromethane still in the U.S. as an individual. I buy 30-gallon barrels and 5 gallon pails and I promise you, they (VP Racing and other companies) want to know what you are going to do with it. In my bag of degrees, I have a BS in chemistry and a lot of advanced organic and inorganic chemistry, so can buy it regularly. I also have a pesticide license to apply herbicides and insecticides to my fields. One reason higher compression engines are sold overseas is that many modelers simply do not have the access to nitromethane we have here in the states. Possibly except for contest and racing, we use far more than most engines require and we are lucky to have a good reliable idle and more top end power, and good throttle transition. I remember the times at the King Orange Internationals in Miami, and smelled the nitrobenzene people were using in their fuels, propylene oxide and just about any other edge they could get in racing events. The nitrobenzene is the smell you smell most in Kiwi shoe polish. A number of folks still use a few percent acetone for easier starting and a better idle when nitromethane is in short supply. And yes, you can still buy ammonium nitrate fertilizer. I'll bet you a donut to a hole in a donut it is now marked by at least manufacturer, if not individual lots. My son was going to use it to take up a few stumps. Filled the entire hole with it and the appropriate solvent and ignition method. Worked really great, but after he busted out ALL the windows on the back of his house, he thought a bulldozer might do better. :-) I am sorry about the high hazardous materials fees to ship fuels. It is kind of ironic that you can ship large amounts in quarts, but the same amount, or even less in gallon jugs, is so hazardous. The logic of that kind of escapes me. It is a great hobby or sport, take your pick, and I have met a lot of very nice people while flying a lot and crashing a little. :-)
Posted on: 5/4/2008 11:19 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7454361

RE: Ethanol
dinosaur.
Posted on: 5/3/2008 8:03 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7450758

RE: which synthatic oil is best denatured alcohol
Denatured alcohol is usually ETHANOL, denatured with METHANOL. Ethanol is not a suitable alcohol for model engine use in general. You need to get METHANOL, CH3OH and NOT ethanol.
Posted on: 4/14/2008 8:06 PM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7373830

RE: Looking for Nirvana II sailors in Richmond VA metro
I have not had any electronics problems with my Nirvana II. One day, in pretty high winds, I tried to sail her and had to stop early because I thought I might flood the electronics compartment through the tiny hole for the sheets. I don't use the sponge trick, yet. Also on that day, I often had to head up wind to luff the sails so I could sheet in enough to get back to a hard beat upwind. The servo was underpowered to sail in those winds and would occasionally stall so I had to use heading changes to reduce the force on the sail to sheet in. On another occasion, I was also sailing in very stiff winds. On that day, I decided to just let the sails out a bit more on a beat to prevent the boat from heeling over too far. However, when running with the wind, the wind was so strong it caused the nose to dip below the water (submarine) which was disconcerting. All in all, if I could control my impulse to sail on days when the wind is really too stiff, I wouldn't have anything to report. One thing ... make an extra bowsie for the back stay. Run your antenna through the back hook and up to this bowsie. I could never get the antenna to stay in place using tape. The bowsie solution has never been a problem. Good Luck and happy sailing.
Posted on: 3/30/2008 12:14 AM by Author "Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7303904

RE: Looking for Nirvana II sailors in Richmond VA metro
Thanks for the encouragement. I intend to buy a second Nirvana II for my son and then race with him. It is my hope that this will attract more folks and then I can get something going. Good luck with your deal in Ohio. - dinosaur
Posted on: 3/24/2008 9:54 PM by Author "Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7277500

RE: Big boat servo help needed
a second for my son within the next year. This is a fantastic hobby for families. Dinosaur
Posted on: 3/19/2008 8:18 PM by Author "Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7251591

RE: Big boat servo help needed
Oh yea, it is o_l_d alright. However, I suspect it has quite a bit of torque. The boat's sails rise 70 inches above the deck. The hull weighs something over thirty pounds. It is some kind of "J" from the eighties or early nineties I suspect. It was a handmade boat from a kit. All wood hull and all that. It will be a beautiful boat once I get it running, that is, I'm sure it looks better in the water than on my hobby table.
Posted on: 3/17/2008 10:53 PM by Author "Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7241626

Big boat servo help needed
, and is labeled Engineering Proportional. Dinosaur
Posted on: 3/15/2008 5:57 PM by Author "Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7229723

Looking for Nirvana II sailors in Richmond VA metro
Hey folks, I live in the Richmond metro area and there is a nice pond in Byrd park called the Boat Lake. It would be great for weekend races and I am looking for other sailors, particularly Nirvana II owners, to meet at the lake. Anyone within a drive of Richmond, VA want to get together?
Posted on: 3/15/2008 5:47 PM by Author "Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7229684

RE: Crud in Ritch's Brew
Castor oil is a natural product and can grown fungus and various common mildews. Use Bakers AA grade and you will seldom ever have this problem. If you use straight castor, say from SIG, keep it open only long enough to quickly pour out what you need and tightly cap it back. Best stored at room temperature in the dark, like the bottom of a closet and not outside in the cold. Also, some commercial fuels are not refiltered after being made, that is the reagents are filtered, but not always the final product. Not good. Also, use a fuel filter in your engine line and one coming from your fuel and you will fare better. Hope this helps
Posted on: 2/26/2008 5:15 PM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7141362

Three Channel Controller
Hey folks, I have an opportunity to buy a used J class boat. It is old and hasn't been sailed in a few years but appears to be a well made boat. The problem is the owner has removed the receiver and installed it in another R/C toy. If I buy this boat, I will have to install a new receiver and set everything up again. The owner believes it should be operated with a three channel setup, 1 for rudder, 1 for main and another for the Jib. I operate my other boat with only two channels. Where should I go to get a good three channel system. I'll need a transmitter and a receiver. Does anyone have a recommendation for the price for a used J? This is a big boat with a lot of weight in the keel. It comes with sails and a homemade sail cabinet for transporting. Thanks
Posted on: 11/17/2007 8:33 PM by Author "Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6638160

RE: ArmorAll in Fuel??
It is best [b]not[/b] to add detergents, extra dyes and solubilizers to your commercial fuel in general. If you mount the tank in foam and use rubber bands, foaming should be minimal. Some solubilizers or other oils are used in some very high nitro fuels, but as a general rule, just use high purity dry methanol, nitro and oil(s). Make sure to clean your clunk from time to time for a good fuel draw and that it is moving freely and not gunked up.
Posted on: 10/16/2007 8:50 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6497058

RE: How to determine fuel content?
You can use it as a nitro source for a low nitro fuel, like 0, 5 or 10% nitro to bring up the nitro a bit. Otherwise, it makes a good weed killer like the previous post. It is not easy to measure the contents of fuels. You can use gas-liquid chromatography for the volatile components and can get the oil percentage and type from the manufacturer in some cases, but not all. As a general rule, fuels in the U.S. often have much higher nitro content than needed for many engines and some fuels do NOT have enough or a good enough lubricating oil. Seems like folks like to see just how much nitro they can put in their fuel, and how little oil they can add, just before the engine sizzles after a lean run.[;)] I used to run rat race and combat and found out very early what you could and could not use in an engine for high and for maximum performance. For routine flying, 0-15% nitro will work in almost all engines. A few with higher compression ratios will run on no nitro, or at most, very little. I run 15% in my Saitos all the way up to the 170 radial, the .91 FA engines run fine on 18% oil and 15% nitro, year round. Some add some castor to the fuel, others run NO castor. Some use a little lower oil content. My experience is that engines are expensive, oil is cheap. I prefer 2-4% max castor and 15% nitro, runs great on that fuel. Fuels over about 30-35% nitro require additional components to take the nitro and keep it in solution, for boats, 60% is not uncommon for racing. I would not run this boat fuel in my engine (unless it is a boat engine!). You can add it to a low (0-10% nitro) fuel as a nitro additive okay.
Posted on: 8/4/2007 7:28 PM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6196854

RE: Home made power
Some potential sources of nitromethane include VP Racing, FHS Supply in Clover, SC and you can try some go-kart racing places, chemical industries in your hometown or nearby. Also, you might contact some chemist types in near colleges for information. You do not need super purity, like analytical grade, but they can help you find nitromethane in your area in either 1 gallon or 5 gallon sizes. If you get 5 gallons, you might go in with someone else, or a couple of modelers in your area. The best thing about making your own fuels is that you can make up anything you need for virtually any engine you have. For some folks who use about 15 or more gallons a year, making your own fuel is an option. Main thing is if you buy commercial fuels, make sure of the oil concentration and type. Also, here in the States, we are nitro-happy. For most engines, the range of 0-15% nitro will cover the range. For competition, higher nitro is preferred. It never made sense to me to use 30% nitro in 4-strokes for just a tiny bit more power and a couple hundred rpm. But everyone to their own taste said the farmer as he kissed the cow. Enjoy your flying.
Posted on: 6/26/2007 8:14 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6035838

RE: nirvana II tips and tuning guide
the help here, guys. I'm doing my best to promote the Nirvana and R/C sailing in general. - Dinosaur
Posted on: 6/10/2007 7:46 PM by Author "Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5970013

RE: 15% TO 30% nitro fuel.
No, never use gasoline in that engine, it would not work and be very dangerous. Use a methanol-based fuel with oil lubricant and some nitromethane, 15% is often fine for regular car and truck runs. Use higher nitromethane content for racing and competition. These fuels are more expensive than gasoline, but you can buy them in quarts from SIG and other companies and your local hobby shop. Please get some help from other modelers who run cars and trucks and they will point you in the right direction and help you get started.[:)]
Posted on: 4/15/2007 8:25 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5718174

RE: Home Brew
this makes some sense to you. Terry Joe Sprinkle (The old fuel mixing dinosaur)
Posted on: 4/10/2007 11:28 AM by Author "Fuel Dinosaur" in the forum "RC Fuels"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5693625