DLE-85 85cc Gas Engine at troybuiltmodels.com
05-23-2014, 02:03 PM
#151
Ok so here is my take on this engine. I'm no engine guru, but I feel this is a good engine, and it has settled down. Starts now are much easier, similar to my EME and other DLE's. Vibration is manageable. I have a good 30+ flights on this engine and the ISO mount is only showing very light wear. I can see changing the bushings once a season depending on how much you fly. Power is strong for a single cylinder engine, almost as good as my EME120. It is a noisy beast though. Fuel consumption in light 3d is 14-16oz on a 8-10 min flight and aggressive flight is 16-18oz, I'm always left with a good half tank on a 32oz tank.
Prop is a 26x10 Xoar, 40lb thrust at 6400rpm.
I tried the recommended 4 blade bela prop 22x10x4 and it was a dud, very poor performance and I think the sizing is off, maybe a 24x10x4 would do better but not even close to the 2 blade.
TB
Prop is a 26x10 Xoar, 40lb thrust at 6400rpm.
I tried the recommended 4 blade bela prop 22x10x4 and it was a dud, very poor performance and I think the sizing is off, maybe a 24x10x4 would do better but not even close to the 2 blade.
TB
Last edited by TonyBuilder; 05-23-2014 at 02:08 PM.
05-26-2014, 08:04 AM
#153
Steve, this engine is a very strong engine and when it is running it is great. Starts are still a pain even with the new fuel system and the QuickFire. My carb is still flooding during refueling if I do not clamp it off, and sometimes it isn't getting fuel, hence me flipping it 30x!
It will flood if you are to aggressive with priming it. I am waiting until I install the Bowman ring and the new carb to give final judgment. If it doesn't get better then I am at a loss.
TB
It will flood if you are to aggressive with priming it. I am waiting until I install the Bowman ring and the new carb to give final judgment. If it doesn't get better then I am at a loss.
TB
05-31-2014, 01:28 PM
#157
Ok, so I mounted the engine to the test stand and tested the two ignitions for spark, I could not get it to run the other day, (at the end of my patients). The one thing I did not check was the pick up, so I put the new one on and wha-la spark on both ignition modules, that's good news. So this must have been the root of all the issues. My arm is still a mess from last week so we pulled the club starter out, it is a big heavy duty on a marine 12v battery. It started right up, we tuned it and it ran great. With the Bowman ring it was idling like a watch, 1500rpm, and peaking at 6300rpm on the factory settings, 1.5 turns out. The low end was a bit rich so we leaned it and it ran even better.
I started it about 4 times with the starter and I could kill the engine and start it with one flip, did that about 4x. So I think my issues are past with the new pick up, the Bowman ring and the new carb. I will use the club starter for now, my arm is shot.
This is is a big relief and sends new energy to the current build.
TB
I started it about 4 times with the starter and I could kill the engine and start it with one flip, did that about 4x. So I think my issues are past with the new pick up, the Bowman ring and the new carb. I will use the club starter for now, my arm is shot.
This is is a big relief and sends new energy to the current build.
TB
06-01-2014, 03:40 AM
#161
The carb is a DLE replacement carb, same as original. The first carb was dripping fuel when I was filling and had to clamp it off, this won't work in a closed cowl. The pick up had some light damage from the prototype and the wires had gotten all bent up at the pickup so maybe a bad connection that got worse over time. Explains why it would work one time then not the next. So I think the combo of carb and pickup has been a big factor in the problems. I won't put it back in the Sbach until it starts reliably. So far it starts every time with the starter, maybe this engine just likes a starter, I'm fine with that as ling as it starts and runs good, the bowman ring is so far great. $15 + $5 for the gasket kit, not bad!
TB
TB
06-01-2014, 05:37 AM
#162
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my is ran a lot better now after clean the cab. and bent the lever down a little bit, the idle drop right away and no more flood and drip fuel from the back of cab.
Tom
Tom
06-01-2014, 07:23 AM
#163
Sounds like you guys are getting this engine dialed in. That is very reasonable for the ring and gasket, also tempting as i have not ran mine yet. Speaking of that, the plane it is going in is not going to get finished for this flyinig season so i am on the fence whether or not to even run the engine before next year. The only plane i might be able to squeeze it in to is a Great Planes 1/4 scale Patty Wagstaff Extra, it is probably too much engine for that plane. The other option is to modify the engine test stand to get some time on it. Any thoughts on that are appreciated.
06-01-2014, 08:48 AM
#164
Steve, it really depends on the airframe. My P-47 has a very hi wing load and flame outs are very risky. If your plane has a descent wing load and good glide ratio you can get away with breaking it in on the frame, I would run it up on the test stand just to get it running good and work out any issues. My case is a whole different ball of wax.
TB
TB
06-01-2014, 01:03 PM
#165
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Steve, the more you run to break in the engine now is better later when you install to your airplane, my after about 4 gallons it ran much better with 1460 RPM at idle and just above 6700 RPM at high speed with 26x10 prop. Flew 7 flight this morning and love it. This engine way to much for a 1/4 scale airplane.
Tom
Tom
06-02-2014, 07:54 AM
#166
I figured it was too much for a 1/4 scale Extra. That's ok, on to the engine test stand it will go.
The engine was purchased for a Ziroli Hellcat (still under construction) so it needs to be dependable before first flights on that plane that will occur next year.
The engine was purchased for a Ziroli Hellcat (still under construction) so it needs to be dependable before first flights on that plane that will occur next year.
06-02-2014, 11:21 AM
#167
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Steve,
That Hellcat is sure looking good, look like you still have a long way to go on that airplane. This is mime still need to do some work but a lot easy then your, all composite.
That Hellcat is sure looking good, look like you still have a long way to go on that airplane. This is mime still need to do some work but a lot easy then your, all composite.
06-02-2014, 12:19 PM
#169
Today was the last day of engine testing on the DLE85, do or die. She hand started right up like a good little DLE should.
First run was to prime with a few turns, then choke on, flip 2-3x and pop, then no choke, flip 4-5 times and she started. Ran great, low idle was 1400-1500, smooth as silk.
Hot starts where one or two flips and she started. restarts went normal, prime 3 turns, choke for 3x then 4-6x to start. I think I have a true DLE. I'm done testing, on with the building.
Start video.
http://youtu.be/ZlR_Ri_uA3w
TB
First run was to prime with a few turns, then choke on, flip 2-3x and pop, then no choke, flip 4-5 times and she started. Ran great, low idle was 1400-1500, smooth as silk.
Hot starts where one or two flips and she started. restarts went normal, prime 3 turns, choke for 3x then 4-6x to start. I think I have a true DLE. I'm done testing, on with the building.
Start video.
http://youtu.be/ZlR_Ri_uA3w
TB
06-02-2014, 12:41 PM
#170
Steve, this engine will be great for your hellcat, I measured 40lb of static thrust with a fish scale on the prototype. This engine will work great in a 35-50lb plane. It's a monster and I can't wait to open her up with the jug. I highly recommend the Bowman ring, well worth the $25 and it's easy to install.
TB
TB
Last edited by TonyBuilder; 06-02-2014 at 12:44 PM.