RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
SrT150, That was a great explanation. I could very quickly become a fan of CDI and glow fuel...sounds like you have become a true believer in it already. Thanks for the link as well[:D]
Posted on: 5/19/2013 6:27 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11516532

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Thank you Spaceworm for asking the question that I was going to ask and SrT150 for the clarification. If we are talking glow fuel w/ spark ignition then the higher ExhaustGasTemp of gasoline is no longer a factor. I wasn't planning on OnBoardGlo as this twin seems to be as reliable as any single. The CDI GlowFuel Ignition is truely begining to pique my intrest. Just curious as to why a spark ignition on glow fuel would yield more power than a full time energized glow plug? Also, why the consumption would be less? It seems that means one would be running a leaner mixture and that would mean hotter with less lube to my understanding. I am not trying to be controversial, but I [i]am[/i] a [i]glutton[/i] for information and SrT150 seems a reliable and knowledgeable source. Or maybe I am completely confused here!![&:] (doesn't take much these days![;)])
Posted on: 5/19/2013 3:54 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11516388

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Seriously considering that, though I'm really getting into a critical wieght stage. If I can put all of the CDI gear and battery in the cowl it may be a good option. I was under the impression that gassers yielded a lower output per Cu.In.? Also with the scale exhaust I'm not sure that the significantly higher EGT would bode well for the fiberglass fuselage at the stack outlets.
Posted on: 5/19/2013 10:46 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11516114

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
I have ordered a complete bearing set as the cost for four wasn't a whole lot more than for just the rear two. I'm thinking that the resistance in the rear case could easily rob me of 10% of performance as the resistance multiplies with increased rpm. Once the bearings are replaced I'm going to run it with my scale exhausts and then with the stock exhaust stacks to see if that is also any factor. The consumption works out to 10oz in @6 min at WOT; so just under the planning expectation of 1oz per cubic inch.
Posted on: 5/19/2013 7:29 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11515956

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
On another note; I dis-assembled the engine to really get a good look at the inards and everything [i]looked[/i] great. I did find that with the crankshaft installed in the main case with it's front and main bearing it spun very freely. However, when the rear case with it's intermediate and rear bearing was mounted, the crank had some resistance and did not spin freely at all. The intermediate bearing is open cage and spins freely alone. The crank feels bound up if it is installed in the rear case alone. If you look at the picture it seems very unlikely that the crank could be bent between these two bearings. The rear bearing is sealed and seems very stiff. I think I'll try to hydraulically pop it out with a dowel and some grease as it is a blind set and see if this may be the RPM robber! Thanks, Hobbsy forr the link to C.Lee's review and the pic.
Posted on: 5/18/2013 5:01 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11515472

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Here's the vid for ya Spaceworm. The resolution is poor due to me using the wrong settings but the sound is good and clear. It has a gallon through it now and the idle will putt-putt along varying from 1650 t0 1750 and rev right up to 7980. It hunts around a little bit from 7950-8030 with 7980 being the rpm that stays on the tach most. It's not really clear in the vid due to resolution but if you know the numbers you're looking for on the tach they are clearer. My tach is display x10 so at idle you see 165-177; WOT is 793-803. MAS wood 16x8 Omega 15% snth/castor blend 75F 80% humidity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciSd33w986Q It 2.5 min, but you can skip the first 55sec unless you just like hearing a 200ti at WOT
Posted on: 5/18/2013 4:41 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11515457

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Is it just me or are the HorizonHobby's Saito specs Re; RPM grossly exaggerated? I have been told that the APC composite props turn faster than the MAS or Zinger wood props, but I can't believe that there is as HUGE of a difference as I am experiencing. I just finished breaking in a NIB FA-200ti per Hobbsy's method, as I have with all of my Saitos. Now I am only getting peaks of 7900-8100 rpm on a Zinger 16x8 or 7200-7300 on a MAS 17x8. HH specs this engine at 8900 with an APC 17x8. Is this what I should expect? It has MONSTER compression on both cylinders now compared to before break-in(as expected) and the valves have been properly re-adjusted. Using fresh gallon of 10% nitro with 18% synth/castor blend. Running H9 4c Super Plugs in all four holes. LS has been adjusted and transition is good. Gets a 1900 +/-rpm consistant and dependable idle with no dropped cylinder or flame-outs. I also popped the rod covers off the bottom to check out the bearings for any corrosion that may have happened since purchasing it a few years back. Looked good, as expected, since I nearly drowned the thing with SeaFoam ARO and put it in a ziplok bag with a dessicant pack before shelving it over the past couple years. Does this sound right? Thanks Guys! BTW...I like castor too[&:] Club Saito Member #770 edit; grammer and sp
Posted on: 5/15/2013 11:17 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11512840

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
The d-pac usually gets oil soaked after a while, but at that point it has already done it's job and locked up any humidity sealed in the bag. I just recently took this engine out for breakin; purchased in 2011. Wood props do break a lot easier and on the warbirds it's easier to replace a few $20 props than it is to repair a torn up firewall after a few nose overs at our rough field. Yes, the Hobbsy method really does a good job on seating the rings well and all of my Saitos have great compression. I mentioned that the compression was good to rule out leaking valves or scored piston/cyl issues. Came with the H9 plugs from the LHS and they have always seemed to do fine in the past. Some of the other Saitos came with the Saito plug and they do good as well. Just really concerned that this particular engine seems really doggy compared to the specs. Or I may just have had an unrealistic expectation of high mid 8K with the 17x8 MAS or Zinger. Low 8k on the 161x8 is terrible, I think...or am I expecting too much?
Posted on: 5/15/2013 11:12 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11512870

RE: small pilot figures hard to find
Hey Rock, You are right. The supply and selection of decent pilot figures has really gotten small. Hangar9 used to have a wonderful line of unpainted latex military and civilian pilot busts, 1/10-1/3 scale, from a company in the UK. Unfortunatly the company apparently went bust because H9 discontinued the figures and the company doesn't show up on any searches anymore. Good info on the Advantage Hobby site. I'm sure you have helped more than a few members here. Link for those who might need it. http://www.advantagehobby.com/?cat=695&sort=orderby&sort_direction=0&page=1
Posted on: 9/16/2012 8:27 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11230601

RE: 5 mm strut pin alternative
[quote]ORIGINAL: Weasel Keeper Frets, Do the HK version of the retract have a metal trunnion? [/quote] No, it's a composite trunion with a brass pivot block molded in. The set screws go through the brass. I have them on a couple of planes and they've worked well.
Posted on: 9/14/2012 1:01 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228046

RE: CMP 120 Zero ARF Build thread
It's been kind of slow here lately; both in this thread and on my bash. I found that the gunsight that I had previously done had some problems with being overall a bit too large and especially that the front ring was too big and too far forward to fit well because of the angle of the front windscreen. So...I built another one. I could have easily modified the old one but I had some new ideas and quite frankly, I'm just really avoiding the epoxy glassing of the wing. I've tried other methods of glassing and although they were easy and less messy, they just haven't measured up to the durability of a resin job. I have cut in the panels for servo access in the wing as well as mounted and rigged the flap servos, control rods and hinges too. Came out quite well and I made use of existing scale lines so I am quite pleased. Had a moment of inspiration(and wing avoidance) and whipped up a fun addition to the new sight...totally impractical but fun just the same. Also remembered to take a few shots of the assembly.
Posted on: 9/13/2012 11:40 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228023

RE: Dinner time
It seems a lot of us have become very busy this year. I haven't posted for a while because we;ve just been recycling the same menu over and over, but I have been watching from the side line. Good to see some activity again. I really like the sausages and sauerkraut. Usual fare around here are bratwurst from, of all places, a local latino meat market. They make their own and they are great. They also make a mild breakfast sausage that my wife claims are exactly how she remembers from her childhood in the UK as Bangers. The brats are done on the grill and served with generous helpings of kraut, brown mustard, and a loaf of rye bread on the table.
Posted on: 9/9/2012 9:18 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11222759

RE: NOTAM from Hell
During the "festivities" here in Charlotte over the past week I had a job not far from our field so I decided to go on over and take look around. There were two Dept of Homeland Security-Federal Police SUV's parked at the gate to the field. They eyed me pretty closely since the field is at the end of a deadend road but didn't move as I turned around and departed. Probably figured I was lost or missed the entrance to the city landfill 100yds prior to the field.
Posted on: 9/8/2012 8:00 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11221715

RE: NOTAM from Hell
Thankfully the restrictions have been lifted after a weeks "no-fly" in Charlotte. Looks like a good forcast for the weekend as well. Really kind of pointless anyway; The one's who are going to obey the restrictions aren't going to pose a problem in the first place and those who would pose a problem aren't going to abide by the restrictions anyway
Posted on: 9/7/2012 3:16 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11221081

RE: ASP/MAGNUM FS400AR Rebuild/Overhaul
Rev, Oh, That light! Good eyes, man. I never saw that...It is one heckuva light though isn't it[X(] Interesting info on the oiling issues and ideas. I'm intrigued with the idea of introducing an extra small bit into the case and allowing it to sling lube the internals. If it's actually a motor oil it will also have some detergent value as well as binders for corrosive combustion by-products. If it doesn't interfere with the operation it only seems to be a potential benefit. Keep us up on any further info or observations as you pursue this experiment, Reverend. if you think about it, when you drain it, do so onto some white paper towel or napkin. It would be interesting to see what type of, if any, solids come out and the amount of carbonizing/discoloration that occurs from blow-by. Carosel, Have already looked at the cowl and mounting issues; Looks like a snug fit radially but not such that it would pose cooling issues or require any hacking up of the scale lines. Hub face to firewall is 160mm on the FS400 and the 190 cowl has a bit of material to allow it to be cheated forward @ 15-20mm without looking silly or being too noticable as well. I'm hoping that by hanging the 400 up front and using 10-15mm of spacer blocking, along with cheating the cowl, that I can avoid the addition of a pound/ .5kg or more of lead weight for cg and gain some advantage on the AUW that way thereby bringing it in at a reasonable wieght. All remains to be seen...That's next springs build anyway. Thanks for the ESM Zero heads up...sounds cool. Almost sorry now that I'm in the middle of a Zero bash already. Once done, I won't be interested in repeating the project. Oh well. Wish they would have announced this about a year or so ago.[&:]
Posted on: 9/6/2012 11:40 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220276

RE: ASP/MAGNUM FS400AR Rebuild/Overhaul
I thought about that too, Tom. Due to the relatively small amount and if it's a low visc(10w or 20w) shouldn't be enough to cause any issues. May not even be enough to have any statistical value at all. Cool experiment all the same though, eh? Getting my popcorn ready for all the details from the field reports[:D]
Posted on: 9/6/2012 8:37 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220282

RE: ASP/MAGNUM FS400AR Rebuild/Overhaul
Re; carb; Position shouldn't make any difference other than a slight tendency to flood when choking since the fuel has no way to drain in the 12 vs 4 position. Has there been any determination as to whether there is a benefit to using a different mfg's carb? I have seen some discussion on swapping them around and modifying, but no after action reports or follow-ups. Also, What seems to be the latest concensus on the link pins? Are the newer engines' pins adequate? Certainly don't care to find any "little astronauts floating around".[;)]
Posted on: 9/6/2012 7:32 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11219415

RE: ASP/MAGNUM FS400AR Rebuild/Overhaul
Vasek, I'll have to see what prop will fit within the physical size, asthetic size and operational size frame once I get into the project. Probably something in the 18-20" range with an 8-12 pitch. May have to de-tune the engine(richen)or limit the throttle to keep from over reving with a smaller than optimal prop. Reverend, Not sure what you are refering to re; landing light? If you mean the area in the corner of the wing in pics 4 or 5 above; look at pic 1 or 2 and it's just the end of the fabric aileron that just out of frame in the pic. Cutting the light areas is next on the list though and that's one of the reasons for all of the panel line marks on the raw wood to get the lights and servo access panels correctly located. Postal dept used mostly DH-3 and 4's so, those are the ones most photographed. Not a whole lot of continuity in the markings either. Couldn't figure how to load these, hence a link; http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/standard-plane.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_Department_of_the_Post_Office_Seal.svg The info spoken of in the text(above, link 2) is marked on the side of plane in pic 2 instead of on the tail. Wing bottoms and tops just said "US MAIL" in standard block letters on 1/2 wing, top left, bottom right IIRC.
Posted on: 9/6/2012 7:22 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11219405

RE: ASP/MAGNUM FS400AR Rebuild/Overhaul
Rev, The 400 is slated to go into an ESM 72" FW-190 if I can keep the weight under 17-19lbs max. Shouldn't be to hard and with those big chocolate bar wings the flight characteristics shouldn't be too bad either. if not then maybe I'll have to go to the giantscale 190 or maybe a Waco or PT-17 stearman. The wing tip is a 71'' Zero here; (mid page and on some previous/subsequent pages as well): http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9002289/mpage_53/key_/tm.htm There were plenty of Stearmans on skis used in the US Postal system and several on floats as well, though not as common. Carosel's example shows a twin float version and here is a center main float with outriggers version as used by the US Navy. With the center float they were able to be ship launched using the same catapult as was used for the Kingfisher and other Navy scout aircraft. As far as weight VS skis or floats...Geez, They put just about everything on floats or skis at one time or another!! Couldn't find my pic of the N3N/PT-17 Stearman on skis though the Waco was similar to the set up. The skis pic are Stearman type skis and there was a bungee cord to the front and back to orient them in the early configuration. later it was determined that only a cable attached to the front was neccessary to keep the nose from "diving". Aerodynamics took pretty good care of keeping the skis otherwise in proprer orientation for flight and landing.
Posted on: 9/5/2012 9:59 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11218793

RE: Servo calibration issues
I can't remember who showed me or where I saw that method of using sticks, or in my case drinking straws, to make a "tattle-[i]tail[/i]" (mis-spelling intended) for control surfaces. Works great.
Posted on: 9/5/2012 6:25 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11218892

RE: Servo calibration issues
Dirty bird, The servos are new/previously unused so I suppose I could swap 'em out at the LHS although they are centering and holding just fine. Thud, With all of the accessories and programable servos I was inclined to believe that was the case. Just inherent in the nature of the devices. As for mating the channels; You're right, I'm maxed out on this one; standard 4 + gear flaps and lights =7ch[8|] Might be time to seriously consider a 12 ch. I dont mind "Y" cords so much but I do shy away from other in line devices, though most of the reversers that I have seen have an adjuster in them to match the servos...Wouldn't help in this case though. I don't need to reverse anything in the aileron or flap chain due to the installation already acounting for throw and direction.
Posted on: 9/5/2012 4:04 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11218734

RE: Cheap Servos
Whatever happened to Xjet? He was always a wealth of info.
Posted on: 9/5/2012 12:38 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11217980

RE: Flight-Model KI-61 ???
Just not to Charlotte! (This week anyway) Business has gotten a little slow due to the convention and the early to mid day weather has been perfect. So wouldn't you just know it....the only opportunity in months I've actually had time that I could go flying, there's a DHS/FAA restriction prohibiting ALL model and RC aircraft operation for a 50 mi radius of home[8|] Back out to the shop.......
Posted on: 9/4/2012 10:42 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11217912

Servo calibration issues
While setting up the flaps on a current warbird project I found that at full flap deployment there was quite a large descrepancy in the flap angles between the two. I double checked to insure that I was using the same hole in both of the control horns and both servo arms as well as the arms were indexed at the same position with the flaps retracted. Both are identical in the set-up. This led me to double check the ailerons and I found that, again with symetrical set-ups, both travelled the same to the down side but one travels 1/8" more than the other to the up side. I am using Futaba 3004 sevos, Specktrum Dx7 system, each servo pair on a single channel with a standard "Y" cord, no reversers, chokes, limiters, slowdowns or other in-line accessories. The trim and subtrim on both channels in question is null and the reversing function is "normal". Is it common that servos of the same type have such differences in the calibration? Is there a pot that can be adjusted internally to address the calibration? Being analog, I don't think they can be programmed. What, if any, are the options; short of going dual channel and using sub trim(which I don't have the an extra channel for anyway) or using some type of in-line limiter/adjuster, which I really don't care for? Maybe grab a dozen servos and measure them to try to "match" a couple of pair? The flaps can be evened out mechanically by using different index positions and different holes on the arm but the ailerons aren't going to be "fixed" that way because it's just the CCW rotation on one servo that is out of wack with the other. Thanks!
Posted on: 9/4/2012 10:26 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11217903

RE: ASP/MAGNUM FS400AR Rebuild/Overhaul
Thanks, Tom. I've been following this thread for a long time and finally found "the deal". Purchased from a fellow RCU member and though there is always some skepticism when you see NIB, I took the plunge. Very nicely surprised. Here's exactly what I saw as I unboxed it. Equinox_RC Did me right and he made a nice set of inserts for the box as well. Opened it up for a peek inside and it looks pristine[:D]
Posted on: 9/4/2012 4:58 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11217596

RE: Need a Good Spray Gun
Yes, I have sprayed latex with it and I can only echo Scale Only's remarks...It's all a balance between how much water to thin it down with and dialing in the PSI. IIRC I thinned at 2pts latex:1pt water. Open the metering adjustment 3/4 to 9/10 and start dialing up the PSI from 25 or 30 until you get a good coat and pattern. At the low psi it comes out in small splats and will get finer and more consistant as the PSI is increased. Spray pattern will even out and give a consistant wet coat and when the PSI is raised too high the pattern will open up and the spray will just be a cloud going everywhere. Being able to hold the gun on a target(board or piece of cardboard box...in my case the shop door) with the trigger pulled and having the ability to adjust PSI right there helps alot.
Posted on: 9/4/2012 12:55 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11216597

RE: ASP/MAGNUM FS400AR Rebuild/Overhaul
OK Tom, I'll bite...What is in your home brew ARO?[:)] Your engine looks factory fresh on the inside. How great was that to see when you opend it up!!
Posted on: 9/3/2012 11:20 PM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11216549

RE: Need a Good Spray Gun
Hey Mark, You might like this one and your compressor sounds like it will keep up with it. I picked up a few of these for spraying epoxy with the intent of just throwing them away rather than mess around with cleaning them. Dis-assembly and clean-up was so easy I returned the extras. This sprayer was easy to master does a good job and is really affordable. Scale Only's tip is a good thing to consider as well. So much more precise and convenient to have the regulator at the point of use instead of at the point of delivery. Prevents line surge and the big "splat" of paint when you first pull trigger sometimes. http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/paint/touch-up-air-spray-gun-66871.html
Posted on: 9/3/2012 7:32 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11215579

RE: 5 mm strut pin alternative
Thanks Weasle Kpr. Here is a link to the same retract at a much, much lower price. $8. I'm using several of these on mains and they have a smaller size available that works great as a tailwheel retract with just some minor tweaks to get a steerable TW. There is also a steerable nose wheel version of the larger one that works as a TW on larger planes. Great tip on the strut pin. I had tried using the smooth part of drill bits but they tend to shatter before too long. I have also used a bunch of the RCSkylite struts and the pin that comes with them is short and soft. The struts themselves have been excellent and the price is great. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=14838
Posted on: 9/3/2012 7:14 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11215551

RE: Lost my shop buddy last night
[quote]ORIGINAL: jester_s1 They say you don't choose a cat, but rather a cat chooses you. The selfish little buggers grow on you quickly, don't they? [/quote] Isn't that the truth!! Somehow a stray that chooses you is always, somehow, a little more special...Very sorry to hear of your loss. As I've told my kids on the loss of several of our furry family members; Just like in accounting, the books have to be balanced. If the cat (dog) was wonderful, the mourning will be severe- If the animal was horrible, the relief will be welcome.
Posted on: 9/2/2012 8:35 AM by Author "frets24" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11214433