apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Maybe this should be in the Twin Engine forum but I was wondering if anyone here has experience with the TwinSync module that TBM advertise here or other similar.
I want to see if I can find a good solution for auto-sync of two engines with Rcexl ignitions on them
I had a quick glance at the support thread for this particular unit but it's nearly 40 page long and I was unable to quickly see if it could use the ignition Hall sensor or if you needed to add another magnet for the included sensors.

Are there other similar solutions out there?

chris923

My Feedback: (53)

I was never happy with the programming. To many different software versions.
After a plane was lost, i gave up on it and only used the double glow driver set up.

Chris923

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

apalsohn, here's an address I have for twin synch:
Wike RC Products
215 Preston Pines Drive
Cary, NC 27513
[email protected]
It's an old one so I don't know if it's any good. Dan.

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks Dan,

I also have Bill's address.
I was hoping to hear form someone who had used the actual product


Hi Chris,

They seem to be quite elaborate and involved. I might go the route of a simple setup and leave out too many electronics.
This is going to be a big plane (133" Cessna 421) and I don't want to take many risks with it.
A synchronizer seemed like a good idea at the face of it though

a1pcfixer

My Feedback: (7)

I'll agree with Chris about too many software variations.
Plus, when all hooked up, you'd have wires, connectors, and such spread out all over.

I had mine on a Twin Star with 2 glow engines, so I needed to remotely mount the sensors
on sides of each engine. Then there's the issue of setting the mechanical linkages for throttles
plus the EPA just so-so, in order to get the TwinSync to behave.

When it was finally setup correctly, it was awesome to hear twin engines as it flew by!

I still have mine. If you'd like to buy it, I'll sell mine CHEAP!
[*PM me if interested.*]

av8tor1977

My Feedback: (6)

Hmmm... bummer to hear about problems with the Twin Sync. I always figured if I ever got around to doing a gas engine twin that it would be the ultimate accessory to have. Not just for the synchronizing, but also for the fact that it will retard the throttles if an engine dies, giving you a chance to save the plane instead of spinning in if you are not fast enough to realize what happened and make the correct control movements...

AV8TOR

a1pcfixer

My Feedback: (7)

The biggest issues with twins is to have a pair of throughly broken-in, well running, reliable engines, and be quick on throttling back if/when one flames out. Having the mechanical linkages for both throttles the same, and tx setup are given items and not bad to set as a matched pair.

Having extra rudder travel is a plus.

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Agree re well broken in, reliable engines.
It looks like I will be using two G62 Lite engines from Ralph, they are probably amongst the most reliable engines you can get. Another option was two MVVS58 but I have some space issues within the cowls and the G62 is easier to showehorn in without having to cut.
I'm building this plane for scale so I dind't fancy having a cylinder head sticking out.
I used to have a Top-Flite DC-3 that I flew a lot. I used 4-stroke glow in the DC-3 and had glow drivers on both engines. I had a couple of flameouts but the DC-3 is probably one of the easier twins to handle dramas like that. I eventually sold it when I moved towns - kind of regretted it ever since but there are only so many planes you can have, I guess

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

Ari,

About 95% of all engine failures are electrically induced. True mechanical failures are pretty rare, especially with your engine selection. You already know how to do all the electronics the right way, so all you have left are fuel and tuning issues. You know how to tune engines, so using the weakest engine as the control you will have handled the basic "sync" issue. From there all you have left is fuel consumption and you know who to establish that and make appropriate records.

As a very good Ozzie friend once told me in a moment of self doubt: "If you already know what you're doing there's no worries, right mate?"

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Mate, self doubt or not .... it never harms to seek a second opinion from the experienced

av8tor1977

My Feedback: (6)

Hey TOM, would that friend of yours from "down under" be the guy that used to write for R/C REPORT? (Can't remember his name.) I liked his articles, even though he strayed from engines per se a lot in his writing.

AV8TOR

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

Nope,

He's a guy I helped through his training and later spent time with overseas.

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

You are probably thinking about Brian Winch

av8tor1977

My Feedback: (6)

Yeah, that's his name. Too bad that magazine went under, I liked it.

AV8TOR

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Brian still writes for various magazines, especially the Australian Airborne Magazine and also RCM UK