RE: "standard Drone fuel"
AMB, Actually, I am interested in running my "Fixed Compression" Drone and the key is Standard Drone fuel. In researching running fixed compression engines the high ether content is a key factor. Calming the ether down is the second key factor and that's were the "Mineral Oil or motor oil" comes in. Fixed compression engines don't run well on modern ether/kero/castor/ignitor fuels because this mix has a narrow fuel/air adjustment range and needs the varible head to get smooth running. The Ether/Oil mix has a very wide F/A range similar to (but not quite as wide) glow fuel. The EO mix esentially allows trimming the compression hydrlicly with the fuel miture adjustment. It is suppose to work well once you get the hang of it. The power will be a little lower then kero based fuel but it has a wide tolerance for temperature conditions. It seems that the EO mix (or at least a high % ether mix) could make operation simpler even for variable compression engines, although more expensive (maybe lots more expensive). The thing I was interested in was if "refined Mineral Oil" and Motor Oil had the same characteristics on the ether detonation or does it only work with Motor Oil? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 5/15/2009 11:10 AM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Everything Diesel"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8771049

RE: "standard Drone fuel"
Guys, In reading through the above link on "Standard Drone fuel" it mentions that the mineral oil (I assume this is regular 20 weight motor oil) controls the detonation tendencey of the ether and that castor doesn't. Has anyone found something other then Kero that has the same affect on the ether? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 5/14/2009 2:14 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Everything Diesel"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8768695

RE: contents of John Deere starting fluid
Guys, Thanks Chris for the info on the "tropical grade" starter fluid. Here in S FL I tried the starter fluid mix and it wouldn't even pop. I wanted to use starter fluid and oil to keep the fuel mix simple and oder free (I feel the kero residual in the oil has a lingering aroma that some find a problem). I will try a different brand. What brands beside JDeer have been used successfully? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 2/17/2009 4:24 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Everything Diesel"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8487392

Low voltage on LiPloy pack
Guys, I have several 4S1P 3850mah, 10C pack that I typically draw down about 2650mah per flight. One pack has started losing voltage more than the other three droping to 14.91V compared to 15.2V for the rest. The pack has only been charged 6 times at .75C. and it seems strong until the last 20 sec of the flight then it drops and it hits the low voltage cut-off. Is there a way of cycling the LiPoly to build up and flatten out the discharge characteristics? Thanks, Dennis
Posted on: 11/16/2008 8:24 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8154256

RE: Extending Battery Life
For electric control line stunt were the batteries are pushed for the whole 6min flight it has been found that by sizing the LiPoly pack so that you pull out no more than 80% of the capacity (i.e. 4000mah pack draw out a max of 3200mah) you will get max life. Best, Dennis
Posted on: 11/11/2008 1:28 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8136674

RE: DRONE "29" information and "V" head design
Jim, Interesting about the glow head conversion of the Drone, the question would be does it turn the 12x8 prop @ 7000 like the diesel operation? On the gasket I think you should to check the head clearance, I have two of the beasts and they have gaskets. I have the Aerodyne variable compression head and when it is set it has as you said about the same compression as a modern glow engine. One trick with the Drone is to run it on the rich side. Jack Hiner sent me a copy of the "Drone Manual" and some interesting follow-up articles that indicate that the Drone should be set as rich as possible. Now I had run other diesels and always after starting went to minimum compression and leanest needle setting. When I first started working with the Drone with the Aero head I tried to operate it the same way. The engine just wasn't happy. After reading the manual I tried there approach and BINGO it was happy. Basically the manual recommends starting the engine a bit wet and as it warms open the needle to the point of it quiting then close the needle 1/4 turn and restart should be set. As backward as this sounds it works great even with modern diesel fuel. Best, Dennis
Posted on: 11/11/2008 1:21 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Everything Diesel"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8136643

RE: DRONE "29" information and "V" head design
Guys, The original files are .pdf's and the board would not let me load them. I saved them as text (.txt) files but I guess it doesn't recognize this either. I don't know how to get these into a format that I can upload. Any suggestions? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 11/10/2008 4:54 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Everything Diesel"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8133932

DRONE "29" information and "V" head design
Guys, Attached for anyone interested in Drones is a collection of information that I managed to scan. Also attached is a 1948 Model Airplane News article and drawing of a variable compression head for the Drone. Best, Dennis
Posted on: 11/10/2008 3:08 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Everything Diesel"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8133633

TP610 C pack balancing
Guys, I have a question about pack balancing with a TP 610C charger read out. I am charging a 4S1p 3858mah pack that was drawn down to 2650mah and 15.12V. When I charge I connect the TP supplied balancer and connect in the battery balance leads. The charger indicates that the balancer is connected and gives the intial balance. The charger has a feature that allows you to check the progress of the balance as you are charging. During the last charge when I went to check the balance it would switch to the balance screen but didn't seem to show any activity between the cells. Switching back to the main screen it shows the balancer indicator and when I disconnected the balancer plug it correctly showed that there was no balancer connected. My other packs show activity as the balancer adjusted the charge to keep the balance. My question is, is the balancer working? Could the pack just be that closely balanced that the delta between cells is not there hance zero or is there something malfunctioning in the charger or battery balance lead and how do I check this? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 11/2/2008 12:34 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8107730

RE: Step-up transformer for electric power
Guys, First the idea is to use a step-up transformer that takes for example 7volts DC coming off the ESC and with a 2:1 winds ratio increase this to 14Volts DC. Now I agree that with the multiple winding in our motors this could be easer said then done. However, buy increasing voltage the current draw goes down so balance is maintained and heat goes down. As far as getting a transformer that will operate at the frequency of the ESC this should not be a problem as step up transformers that operate at 20,000Hz have been in use since the 1940's in racing engines just that they don't call them transfomers they are ignition coils. The one part that seems tricky is the multi windings and phasing this may be the killer. Best, Dennis
Posted on: 11/2/2008 12:21 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8107698

RE: Step-up transformer for electric power
Dave, You are wrong, transformers need either and AC sine wave or a collapsing DC field i.e. on/off just like we get from the ESC with a brushless motor. The collapsing field is what is applied to an ignition coil from either a battery source (like in the old ignition model engines) or a magnito (like in a 1/4 scale engine). The question is not will it work but is there any advantage like being able to use a lower voltage/high current battery pack that could be lighter and boosting the voltage with a 2:1 step up transformer. It might be that the weight of the transfomer is higher than just using a higher voltage battery pack but I'd like to hear from anyone who has tried it. Best, Dennis
Posted on: 10/31/2008 11:42 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8103586

RE: Please help ESC/motor problem
A few things to check. Does the motor spin freely? If you bumbed the plane the motor may have been pushed back and could be dragging on some part of the fuse or a motor bearing could have gone bad. Both of these would cause higher current draw and could be overheating the ESC, motor and could puff the battery. Second how many amps do you have the charger set for - is it set for Li Poly batteries? Sometimes setting on the charger get changed because of the hidden key board functions (i.e. if you hold down a botton for more than x secs and it brings up options that can change the original setting). Get the charger manual and make sure it is set for the type and size pack you are charging, go thought all the set-up steps to make sure. If you have a DC amp meter (Sear has a $39 clamp on type make sure it is for DC amps) or can borrow one, check the motor amps with the flight prop at low throttle then at full throttle, it should be no more then about 25 amps static on the ground at full throttle. If you are pulling more then the prop is loading the motor to much for the ESC to handle and you can either up in a larger ESC say a Castle Creation 35 (if you do this you need to make sure the amps are less than 40) or reduce the prop size until the amps are lower then 25. Best, Dennis
Posted on: 10/31/2008 12:45 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8101922

Step-up transformer for electric power
Guys, Since our electric brushless motors with an ESC run with broken (almost square wave) DC has anyone tried putting a voltage step-up tansformer between the ESC and the motor (it goes after the ESC because a transformer will only work if there is a collapsing magnetic field to, i.e. on-off power) to take say a 7volt battery pack up to 14v (with a 2:1 step-up)? It seems this is the perfect application and might allow using a smaller, cheaper battery pack (although it will need to have a higher "C" rating, no free lunch here) to give higher volts and lower current to the motor. Best, Dennis
Posted on: 10/31/2008 12:22 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8101859

RE: Looking for 4s 2000-2200mah 15c lipo, Any idea ?
You might want to look at www.all-batteries.com. I have (4) 4s1p 3850mah that I use for electric control line stunt and have been very happy with their packs. Best, Dennis
Posted on: 10/30/2008 10:58 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8100632

RE: Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
Guys, I agree that the complaints have been the residual exhaust that gets on the plane, your hands and clothes. DDD suggested the candle scent, I have tried that but it seems the scent oils burn off and the kero residual still has a smell. I have also tried adding cologne to the clean up fluid, this helped with the airplane but doesn't help with the exhaust smell that got on clothes of the helper or yours. I understand that biodiesel doesn't have the petrolum aromatic aroma and smells closer to castor oil. If we could keep the torque advantages of diesel with out the petrolum aroma it might spark some additional interest. Best, Dennis
Posted on: 10/30/2008 10:50 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Everything Diesel"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8100609

Biodiesel based model diesel fuel
I have long felt that the one problem for diesel is the residuel smell of the kero based fuel. I know that the true diesel lovers say that's the best part and that's fine for them but to get others interested in diesel we need to address this. I know there have been several posts on this board about using Biodiesel in place of Kero and it does seem to work. Since biodiesel is mostly vegetable oils it should be low in residual aroma (similar to castor from glow fuel). If this is so then even if we need to use a little more either to get it kicked off it might eleminate the diesel smell that glow guys object to. To test this I'd like to know what % either those who have tried this have used to get good starting and smooth running. Also how much "booster" was added? Last what are some sources of B100 biodiesel? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 10/30/2008 12:50 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Everything Diesel"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8098927

RE: Anybody Using These New LiPo Battery Packs Yet?
What is the brand name and the site name? the ***** in the path won't go to the site.
Posted on: 8/29/2008 4:51 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7899728

RE: best brands of li po batteries
Has anyone used the Swang Hobby brand of Li Poly battery? They are fairly low cost but I think they manufacture the batteries, this would allow them to offer them at a very low price and still have a quality produce. I know that the general rule with batteries is you get what you pay for, but it also depends on where in the sales chain you are purchasing from. In general every time a produce changes hands (i.e. manufacture to wholesaler, wholesaler to retailer) it doubles the price.
Posted on: 8/29/2008 3:36 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7899498

Next step for A123 cell?
Guys, Sellers seem to be selling out of the A123 cells as soon as they get them in. This I think is a good thing since it means that we are getting fresh cells. I also seems that this would give us access to the newest improvements in the design of the cells. Anyone know how the A123 cells have been improved since the cells of say two years ago? What is the next step for improvement (lighter weight I hope)???? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 7/31/2008 1:00 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7792892

RE: diesel finally on the way??
I would love to see more diesel power out there but I think we need to work with one of the fuel suppliers to get a fuel that doesn't have the residual smell. I know that the people who fly diesel all the time kinda like the arroma but if glow flyers are going to switch there needs to be an option for this type of fuel. From what I have experienced it is the kero that has the lingering arroma. The ether flashes off and burns clean but the kero residual gets in the oil and lays on the plane and also gets on clothes. Maybe substiuting biodiesel for the kero will work. I know that this has been done and the fuel runs OK (may need 30% ether), has anyone run this in the field and what does the ship smell like after a flight (and the helpers clothes)? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 6/11/2008 9:47 AM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Everything Diesel"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7606744

RE: Lipo storage container - ammo box?
Bob, Do you use any type of separators? I was thinking of dropping in some vertical sheet metal to create seperate compartments for each pack allowing them to stand vertical in the box, what do you thinK? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 5/19/2008 12:39 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7514468

Lipo storage container - ammo box?
Has anyone tried using an Army surplus ammo box to store Lipo's in? Seems that it would be a great way to storge transport and charge packs. I envision putting vertical sheet metal seperators that would allow slipping the packs in with connectors available to connect to the charger. Anyone use this and how did you configure it? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 5/19/2008 9:45 AM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7513871

RE: New Thunder Power battery
What is the max charge rate for the 3800, 4500 & 5000mah packs? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 5/11/2008 3:46 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7483400

Lipo SAFTY _WHAT ARE THE KEY POINTS
I am just starting with electric power and my biggest concern is the SAFETY of using Lipo battery packs. To date I have used A123 pack from MEC and feel this is a very safe reliable battery system. The drawback is the weight. There are some new Tunder Power V2 extreme 25C packs that I have seen advertized and this could allow the same higher current draw that I am using with the A123 cells and save 7 oz. That is a big weight savings that for competition flying is important. My concern is that I have heard some sceary stories about Lipo's going on fire in cars and houses, also the Lipos take a lot longer to charge (I'm not sure that the V2 extreme charge as slow as the older Pro-Lites). So what is the straight scoop? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 5/11/2008 9:58 AM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7482211

RE: shrink wrap for A123 ???
One option is to go to MEC Products and get either the complete packaged A123 pack or they sell a plastic sleave for 1 and 2P packs. Best, Dennis
Posted on: 4/14/2008 1:55 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7372131

Motor sizing high KV rating set for low rpm or low KV run at higher rpm setting
As I have been learning about the world of electrics one finds there are lots of ways to skin the cat. One question came up when looking at the A123 battery set up (10.2V at full charge). The initial set up is a AXI 2820-8 motor, this motor has a 1500Kv rating, it can pull over 45amp continuously and is very light 151g, list resistance is 26 mohm. This is the motor I am using now, it is turning an APC-E 11.5 x 4.5 (cut down and repitched 12x6) at 8800 rpm. It pulls the 56oz test ship like a strong modern 40 IC. To get this motor to run at 8800 I had to set the timer motor start/motor end at 24 (48% throttle). Another motor is also available the AXI 2820-10 which has a Kv rating of 1200 which at 10V would be close to 12000 rpm unloaded that could be throttled to 8800 at say 30 or 60% throttle (only a guess). This motor is also 151g, list resistance is 39 mohm. A third option is the AXI 2826-8 that has a Kv rating of 1130. The unloaded rpm would be around 11,300 and it could be throttled to 8800 at a timer setting of say 32 or 64%, it is 181g and can pull over 55amp continuously, list resistance is 30 mohm. The question is given these choices is it better to take a higher Kv rated motor and set it up at a low throttle to run at the desired lower rpm or take the higher Kv rating and run at a higher throttle setting to run at the same rpm for both motors? Which one pulls the lower amps (the mohm for the 2820-8 and 2826-8 are very close 29 vs 30)for the same end rpm?
Posted on: 4/5/2008 11:37 AM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7336532

RE: Anyone used a Thunder Power 610C charger ?
I have a TP610C that I am using with a 3s2P A123 pack for control line stunt. To date I have a pack build by MEC that comes in a solderless molded package all prewired and ready to go. I have used the TP610C from both a Radio Shack 12VDC, 15A power supply and charged at 3amp for the first few charges (as recommended by MEC) then increased to 8amps, also charged from field 12V battery at 8amps worked great for me. One thing they could do better is with the instruction manual, you need to read it carefully as it is written for someone very familar with charges (with I was not as this was my first venture into electric power) but after a couple read thoughts you can figure it out.
Posted on: 3/18/2008 2:11 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7244345

PAW 19 BB break-in sticking con rod to crankshaft
I recently bought a new PAW 19TBR and started into the break-in. I put about 30 min run time on the bench then installed it in the airplane to continue. The plan was to run the engine a little rich and undercompressed but get some flight time to trim the plane. On the bench the engine started easy and seemed to set well. Once in the plane it started easy but setting was a bit touchy. Now the engine was started rich and slowly leaned out as the compression was backed out on warm-up. The power level was very good (Old English plain bearing fuel, 9x6 APC prop) but at the end of the 5 min flight there was lots of black oil on the ship. During the flight the engine never sounded hard nor did it sag. On the second flight it took off fine but in the midle of the flight started to slow then stopped. Checking the engine it was binding, at first I thought it was the drive washer rubbing the case, this turned out not to be the problem. What happened was the rod tighten up on the crankshaft. I have not pulled the engine apart other than removing the back plate and checked the insides. The rod seems very tight, has anyone else had this type of problem and what is the fix? Best, Dennis
Posted on: 2/18/2008 11:02 AM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Everything Diesel"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7094861

RE: Pleaces to get A123 batteries?
If you want premade packs or lose cells here is another option. I bought one of the 3S2P packages, it is well made and neatly wired. http://www.modelelectronicscorp.com/browse_product.php?pid=16 Best, Dennis
Posted on: 1/31/2008 7:05 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7003583

RE: Davis Diesel R/C Truck High Speed Runs
We keep talking about the advantages that diesel has and to those who give it a go the learning curve (especially if they follow this forum) is quick. But we as a group seem to turn a blind eye toward the real problem for the mainstream model - the residual arromatic aroma left on the ship and the helper from the exhaust. Those of us that don't mind it seem to think that everyone else should just lean to love it, well they don't and we need to work on coming up with something that is no worst the glow fuel residual. The raw fuel ether smell can be handled but we need to do something with the residual kero smell. Has anyone mixed fuel with oderless kero? I know some have added fragrance but in the end the kero comes through, the oderless kero fuel if it were available commercially would likely help get people to try diesel and see the power benefits.
Posted on: 1/24/2008 12:16 PM by Author "Stuntguy13" in the forum "Everything Diesel"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6962033