Homebrew questions  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
       

All Forums >> Glow Engines, Gas Engines, Fuel & Mfg Support Forums >> RC Fuels >> Homebrew questions
Page: [1] 2   next >   >>  

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Homebrew questions - 2/23/2004 4:12:18 AM   
dwc


 

Posts: 40
Joined: 5/8/2003
From: bismarck, ND, USA
Status: offline 		Hello
I tried mixing a batch of homebrew for an airplane and and airboat that both have
gms .32 engines in them. I used Tommy's Karts Coolpower Medium with castor and methanol from a local racing source and Acetone from a hardware store. 18% oil, 3% Acetone and the
rest methanol. When running this mix the exhaust has a really strong bad smelling chemical
smell. It doesn't take much of breathing this exhaust to get a bad headache. I was running
various manufactures premix before and their stuff all smells fine. I was wondering if it is the Acetone that makes it smell so strong or if the oil (labeled for four strokes) might be the culprit.
The mix seemed to run ok in my airboat but on my plane I had problems getting it to run right.
I was 3Ding with it so it may be I didn't notice the problem with the airboat because I didn't need
the high speed transition so much. I had a very experienced buddy try to tune it for me when he noticed air bubbles in the fuel line. I changed fuel tubing and added a squirt of armor all and this took care of the bubbles but I am still having a problem where it will bog out in high g
3d manuvers. I know it's hard to diagnose a problem like this, but I was just wondering if
this is common with no nitro mixes and something you have to live with or maybe I need a
different oil? Also do I really need the Acetone or would it make much difference to leave it out
If this is what is causing the strong smell I may have to replace it with Nitro. Anyone know of
a good source. Thanks for any help.
Dan
       Post #: 1

RE: Homebrew questions - 2/23/2004 9:49:59 AM   
FlyNBHappy


 

Posts: 274
Joined: 7/21/2002
From: Peanut Gallery, USA
Status: offline 		I run a similiar mixture (20% oil, light w/castor) as you described and believe the strong smell is from the Coolpower 4-cycle oil. It does smell different than the commercially available glow fuel, but I haven't had the headache problem you've described. For my money, this Coolpower oil is the best "bang for buck" home-brew oil available. I don't know why it smells different, but I don't believe it contains anything different than what they use to make Coolpower glow fuel.

The acetone gives it a very strong smell in the mixture, but I don't notice any difference in performance with my engines. I've stop using it since.

As for GMS engines, the manual reads "recommends 10-15% nitro". I don't think GMS have the high compression for 0% nitro fuel like the European engines.

Put nitro in your fuel to make your GMS engines happy. Stay away from exhaust (or stand upwind) to help your headache.

< Message edited by Addict2RC -- 2/23/2004 3:59:16 AM >

(in reply to dwc)
       Post #: 2

RE: Homebrew questions - 2/23/2004 6:45:18 PM   
dwc


 

Posts: 40
Joined: 5/8/2003
From: bismarck, ND, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks Addict2RC,

Good info but bad news. I was hoping the smell was from the Acetone. The price sure is good on this oil but if I get sick using it it probably isn't worth it. Maybe I'll try some Klotz, quite a bit more spendy though. I talked to my LHS about ordering Nitro. He's checking into it. Other than that I have been having a hard time finding Nitro. Seems like when I checked on Klotz's site a few weeks ago and it was available and now it isn't. I guess I could always buy some 20% from
the LHS and mix it with my homebrew.
thanks, Dan

(in reply to FlyNBHappy)
       Post #: 3

RE: Homebrew questions - 2/27/2004 3:32:40 PM   
AeroMex



Posts: 14
Joined: 1/9/2004
From: DurangoDurango, MEXICO
Status: offline 		I mixed up my first gallon of homebrew yesterday 18% Klotz Syn, dash of armor all and acetone. Tested it in a .25 OS trainer WOW It started real rich and as I leaned it out it screamed!! I'll tach it tonight but my ear-dyno said maybe 500+ more rpm or so (was waiting for the piston to come out of the top!)! I was running tower sport 10% nitro 50/50 oil mix.

This will be my fuel for my new Moki 1.80, do I really need to add Castor oil to the mix ?? I have a gallon coming just for this engine, but it is a pain in the butt to get it shipped down here to Mexico where I work. I can get Klotz at the local motorcycle shop.

Charles

(in reply to dwc)
       Post #: 4

RE: Homebrew questions - 2/27/2004 6:05:09 PM   
Sport_Pilot



Posts: 7451
Joined: 1/21/2002
From: Acworth, GA, USA
Status: online 		VP racing has nitro. Some other sites also sell it. Don't buy nitro or methanol from Klotz, way too expensive. Try doing a web search for racing fuel.

(in reply to dwc)
       Post #: 5

RE: Homebrew questions - 3/1/2004 8:07:00 PM   
seagull extra


 

Posts: 110
Joined: 9/8/2003
From: Elmira, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		I just bought a case of Cool Power light cart oil with castor from Tomy's as well but I haven't tried it yet. After I bought the oil I noticed that Cool Power makes cart oil for 2 strokes. I think I probably should have bought that instead. Has anybody used the 2 stroke Coolpower cart oil?

(in reply to Sport_Pilot)
       Post #: 6

RE: Homebrew questions - 3/3/2004 6:13:24 PM   
dwc


 

Posts: 40
Joined: 5/8/2003
From: bismarck, ND, USA
Status: offline 		Seagull

Where did you see the 2 stroke Coolpower oil? On Tommy's Karts website?
Does anybody know what the difference is in the 2 oils anyway?
Dan

(in reply to seagull extra)
       Post #: 7

RE: Homebrew questions - 3/4/2004 3:15:56 AM   
seagull extra


 

Posts: 110
Joined: 9/8/2003
From: Elmira, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		I seen the 2 stroke info on morgan fuels website. I called Tommy's to see if I could exchange the 4 stroke oil for 2 stroke but they only sell the 4 stroke oil. At least I didn't feel quite as stupid ordering the 4 stroke oil now. I e-mailed morgan and asked about burning the 4 stroke in a 2 stroke but I haven't got a reply yet. I have the feeling there is not much difference between the two oils as they are both addvertized as bieng soluble in methanal. I'm going to go ahead and try it now that I have the oil. I'm using it for a super tiger 3000 and I will be mixing it 10% oil 90% methanal.

(in reply to dwc)
       Post #: 8

RE: Homebrew questions - 3/4/2004 12:55:58 PM   
FlyNBHappy


 

Posts: 274
Joined: 7/21/2002
From: Peanut Gallery, USA
Status: offline 		Seagull,

Please let us know what Morgan's response is about their 4-stroke vs. 2-stroke oil. My guess is there is no difference (if they even respond). The two oils have the same "performance characteristics" as described on their website. IMO, any oil (natural or synthetic) that mixes with methanol qualifies as a lubricant for glow engine. I've been running their 4-stroke oil (20% volume) mixed with methanol in 5 different engines and all runs great.

< Message edited by Addict2RC -- 3/4/2004 6:58:34 AM >

(in reply to seagull extra)
       Post #: 9

RE: Homebrew questions - 3/22/2004 4:34:20 PM   
seagull extra


 

Posts: 110
Joined: 9/8/2003
From: Elmira, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		I have not heard back from morgan on the oil. About the smell, I noticed that methanal from differant areas smells very differant. I was just visiting a friend in Florida and he had a gallon of methanal that smelled much stronger than the metanal I buy at home. I always thought methanal was methanal but his had a very strong chemical type smell to it and the methanal I buy at home just smells like the rubbing alcohol you get at the drug store.
PS. I can buy 4gallons of methanal for $15

(in reply to FlyNBHappy)
       Post #: 10

RE: Homebrew questions - 3/22/2004 7:23:23 PM   
Sport_Pilot



Posts: 7451
Joined: 1/21/2002
From: Acworth, GA, USA
Status: online 		Methanol has no smell, but methanol designed to be used as fuel has and additive to make it smell. Just like natural gas doesn't smell, you smell and additive so that you know when it leaks. This is because breathing large amounts of methanol vapors can kill!

(in reply to seagull extra)
       Post #: 11

RE: Homebrew questions - 3/28/2004 11:06:00 AM   
seagull extra


 

Posts: 110
Joined: 9/8/2003
From: Elmira, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Well I finally mixed up a batch of fuel. I have just rebuild my st-3000 so for my first gallon I mixed it at 15% oil but I will be cutting it to 10% for my next gallon. As for the smell, there was basically no smell at all so I think if your getting a strong odour it must be from the methanol or something else your putting in the fuel.
I was hoping to run 0% nitro in my big st as this will be much cheaper but I also tried mixing my homebrew 50/50 with some 10% nitro fuel I had around and it did seem to run better with a bit of nitro. I will try 0% again when I cut my oil back to 10% and see if I can get it to run better. It turned my 18/8 prop at 8200 rpm so I will have to buy a bigger prop, as it is supposed to be proped to around 7500rpm.

(in reply to Sport_Pilot)
       Post #: 12

RE: Homebrew questions - 3/30/2004 2:08:57 AM   
LIL-Rick


 

Posts: 12
Joined: 6/30/2003
From: Watervliet, MI, USA
Status: offline 		I have an question on home brewing fuel , is it really necessary for having nitromethane in the fuel ? i can get methanol $1.63 a gallon and oil from another supplier . but no nitomethane would be costly, do to all shipping and HAZMAT charges


THanx
Rick

Should been new post sorry ..

< Message edited by LIL-Rick -- 3/30/2004 2:24:24 AM >

(in reply to seagull extra)
       Post #: 13

RE: Homebrew questions - 3/30/2004 2:46:06 AM   
FlyNBHappy


 

Posts: 274
Joined: 7/21/2002
From: Peanut Gallery, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: LIL-Rick

is it really necessary for having nitromethane in the fuel ?


THanx
Rick

Should been new post sorry ..


Nitro not need at all. Some engines (mostly chinese/taiwanese) run better with nitro, but all engines should run reasonably well without it. I run 5 different types of engines and all runs great on 0% nitro.

Nitro gives you better top end, but the extra cost isn't worth it unless you're racing.

Without nitro:
- bearings wont' likely to rust
- cheaper to homebrew
- more minutes of flying per tank

Just say NO to Nitro.

(in reply to LIL-Rick)
       Post #: 14

RE: Homebrew questions - 3/30/2004 3:09:43 AM   
LIL-Rick


 

Posts: 12
Joined: 6/30/2003
From: Watervliet, MI, USA
Status: offline 		thanx Add