DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

One of my most important tools outside of the shop is my engine test stand. I have the PSP Mfg. [link=http://pspmfg.com/RCEngineTestStand.html]Engine Test Stand[/link] and I use it all of the time. In fact I now have restrictions on when I can use it. I found out my neighbors don't mind me flying on the field any time, but they don't like stationary whinning engines at dinner. So I limit test stand time to 10am to 5pm now.

I have my test stand on the [link=http://pspmfg.com/MountingPost.html]PSP Mounting Post[/link] and I have it in a 4" PVC sleeve so I can take it out if I need to.

You've seen pictures like the one attached with the traditional lug clamps. But the test stand makes a great base for other types of test stands. I have a JETT test stand that I can mount down to the plate by taking the lug risers off. I also have the [link=http://www.pspmfg.com/BackMountAdapterOriginal.html]Back Mount Adapter Original[/link]. I have it drilled for the 4 bolt Quickie mounts and the 3 bolt mounts used by the JETT Q-40 mounts.

DonStegall

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Here is a Nelson Q-40 SS on a JETT mount ready to scream. I'm working on some composite Swee' Peas and I wanted to hear one run, so I set this up to run.

The nice this about this is that you are running the engine just the way it will be mounted in the airplane. I know that the front tie-downs help some, but this is closer to the way the engine is running in the plane. In my opinion.

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

Here is a Thunder Tiger Pro 40 mounted on a JETT Q40 Sport mount. This mount allows Q-40 engines and TT Pro 40 engines to be swapped in Q-40 planes with no changes. While Scott Hartman is locking the barrel on his Q-40 Sport planes, you don't have to. Note the throttle linkage coming through the backplate mount.

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

This is where the backplate mount adapter really shines. On Quickie mounts.

Instead of the engine being held by the crankcase, it is held by the backplate. Just like when it is on the plane. No flexing of the crankcase. No thermal dissipation through the lugs to the test stand.

And you can change engines with just 4 screws.

BarryReade

My Feedback: (1)

Sounds great in theory but, have you tacked the engine on the same day within a few minutes with both mounts and see if there is any difference??. If the back plate mount produces more rpm then I will make one but, if not, why bother? not being a ***** but, that would be the scientific engineering way to validate the different mounts. I realize that the back plate mount evolved from a weight/balance of the airframe situation and could possibly let the engine case be free from distortion and make more rpm/power. IMWTK???

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

Barry,

I have not done that. However, I can tell you that I have run the same engine mounted both ways and it "feels" different when you have your hand on the test stand or the needle. The harmonics are different. So that tells me that the engines run differently depending on how they are mounted.

If I have a binch of Club 40 engines to run, I use the lug mounts. If I have Quickie engines to run, I use the backplate mount. The main thing about using the backplate mount is that you can run the engine with the backplate on it and not change anything from test run to mounting on the airplane. Some test stands require that you change the backplate. And just changing the backplate is something I don't like to do when an engine is fully tuned.

I'm not saying guys need the backplate mount. But they do need a test stand of some kind. I get asked questions about breaking in engines and I find a lot of people don't have test stands or access to one. I always offer access to mine to the local guys.

The PSP stand is nice. But it doesn't work for all engines because of the big clamps on the lugs. Some remote needle valves have to be relocated. But you can use the PSP base for mounting another stand like the JETT for maximum flexibility.

Ed Smith

I totally agree with Don. Get a test stand. For breaking in, testing engines, comparing props etc, etc a test stand is the only way to do it. My one test stand will accpt a small cox engine all the way up to a 1.20 four stroke. It has a support bracket for piped engines. It is totally portable.

Ed S

Randy Etken

My Feedback: (10)

If you are breaking in a high performance enginee, please use a Jett or Tetra bladder tank. The Sullivan tank that Don is using is not good constant fuel supply.

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

Randy,

Good point. This is my tank I usually use for the high performance engines.

But I have always wondered if it matters on the test stand as long as you don't let the fuel level get low. I do know that I don't like contaminants from the muffler getting into the fuel on the high-end engines. That's the main reason I use the bladder tank. I'm interested in opinions on this.

I like Ed's portable stand. I would like to have something to take to races with me when I start traveling very far.

BarryReade

My Feedback: (1)

For the test stand this is what I used out in California.



You can pick up the metal saw horse at lowes for about $20. I used it to break in my PRO .61 Warbird engine and it was Fine. I did have a problem with the wooden mount I made as it was not flat and and when I tightened the motor down it torqued the case and when I ran it, it sheared off the two torqued bolt heads. So you always need to use a true flat surface to put your motor on. I am considering making some backplate mounts for my PRO .61 and other non std engines that are not readily available.

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

Ed,

What kind of mount is that? Are they still made?

BernieV

Ed's stand appears to be designed similar to the Tatone test stand.

The Tatone stands are still available. [link=http://www.mecoa.com/tatone/teststands/teststands.htm]Link To Mecoa Test Stand Page[/link]

daven

My Feedback: (1)

Randy, I beat you just about every weekend with motors broken in on a test stand with a big old 14 oz sullivan tank sitting on a pad of foam. Rarely run more than half through the engine at a time, foaming and fuel supply is not an issue.

Ed Smith

Bernie is correct. I made the stand and screwed the Tatone adjustable mount to it. Real easy.

Ed S

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

Bernie,

Thanks a lot for the link. I already ordered the .049 to .80 size at $24 + $5 S&H. And I got quantity pricing so I can possibly carry them on my site.

I will make myself a portable stand similar to Ed's. I'll have to check out the sawhorse deal that Barry used. Might be an easy solution. I'm going to start playing with more tuned pipes for www.rcwarbirdracing.com and I was wondering what to do about a pipe support. I could add a pipe support to my PSP stand, but I put a 5 gallon bucket over the stand to keep the bird crap off of it.

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

Originally I used a bladder tank on the PSP stand all of the time because I thought foaming would be an issue. Then one day I assembled the tank that came with it and tried it with a 4 stroke and had no problems. So I tried it with the 2 strokes and still had no problems. There is no foaming whatsoever. I guess it is because the tank is on a pedestal and the tank is a snug fit in the bracket. The only problem is that the tank is small when you are running something like a SAITO 180. I see they have a big tank option now.

One of my problems has been that I only have one test stand. When I'm breaking in a bunch of engines it eats up the time. Now that I see Ed's stand and Bernie provided the link for the Tatone, I may set up several portable stands.

BarryReade

My Feedback: (1)

The nice thing about this one is it folds up for transportation

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

I already have the part looked up on ww.HomeDepot.com and I'm going to get one ... http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100003259

I will probably call MECOA and change my order to 2 of the Tatone stands so I can put one on each end of the sawhorse on a 2x6.

j.gibson

Boy, those mounts look really nice, but I just clamp 'em up
in my big 'ol vise at the shop. The trick is to "squeeze" the
crankcase till the bearings get good and tight, then back off
till they loosen up just a "bit".

...............what?...............

daven

My Feedback: (1)

Nothing fancy here, made this out of some 10 ply aircraft ply, a 2x6" and a base of 3/8" ply with doublers on the corners and lots of gorilla glue. I have the pilot drill incorporated as well as the screw driver head and the 4 - 1 1/2" mounting screws.

I mount it to the corner of one of our field tables with the four screws.

Its nice to have two engines ready to test, can run one, while the other is cooling.

vicman

My Feedback: (10)

Dave,
Are you breaking in TTs for your freinds these days?

Ed Smith

Wow! you must realy hate the neighbours!

Ed S

daven

My Feedback: (1)

Vic,

Bought that to play with the Wisconisin guys in Hilbert a couple years ago.

Midaired on my second heat and its been sitting in oil ever since. Has about 10 total tanks of fuel through it, never turned a 9x6 over 17k. Just needed a "model" for the stand

still4given

Looks like the exhaust from the Q40 is gunna make a mess of the TT muffler. Is it an illusion or does it dump directly onto the muffler?

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

I like your stand Dave.

It shows that people can put something together for not a lot of money if they want to and have something that will get the job done.

This is Dub Jett's comment on his web site "Ever wonder how some of the guys always have a really good running engines? They have a test stand and don't have to fool with getting their engine in and out the airplane. Also, you get bad and inconsistent data using your airplane." ... From http://jettengineering.com/accy/testmount.html