Why "Nitro"?
12-20-2006, 12:28 PM
#1
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Why "Nitro"?
When did everything start being called "nitro" this and "nitro" that? I've been out of the R/C game for about 20 years, but back then we had glow engines and glow fuel. Now everything seems to have the word nitro in it.
It seems like this started with cars and has now spread to planes and helicopters, although the fuel we use is really methanol with a small percentage of nitromethane.
Is this some kind of marketing ploy that's come up in the last few years?
It seems like this started with cars and has now spread to planes and helicopters, although the fuel we use is really methanol with a small percentage of nitromethane.
Is this some kind of marketing ploy that's come up in the last few years?
12-20-2006, 01:02 PM
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RE: Why "Nitro"?
It’s a run over from drag racing and such top fuel cars run nitro unlimited tractor pull class runs nitro. So nitro is associated with performance
12-20-2006, 01:07 PM
#3
RE: Why "Nitro"?
ORIGINAL: Cunning Linguist
When did everything start being called "nitro" this and "nitro" that? I've been out of the R/C game for about 20 years, but back then we had glow engines and glow fuel. Now everything seems to have the word nitro in it.
It seems like this started with cars and has now spread to planes and helicopters, although the fuel we use is really methanol with a small percentage of nitromethane.
Is this some kind of marketing ploy that's come up in the last few years?
When did everything start being called "nitro" this and "nitro" that? I've been out of the R/C game for about 20 years, but back then we had glow engines and glow fuel. Now everything seems to have the word nitro in it.
It seems like this started with cars and has now spread to planes and helicopters, although the fuel we use is really methanol with a small percentage of nitromethane.
Is this some kind of marketing ploy that's come up in the last few years?
Dave Olson
12-20-2006, 01:39 PM
#5
RE: Why "Nitro"?
I agree. I think it got started by confused electric fliers and R/C car drivers. I still insist on calling "glow fuel" as that. Nitro" is sometimes in it; 15% in mine, but it's not a major ingredient. We should call it "Oil" in that case, as there's 18 to 20% of that. "Nitro" is third on the list.
I don't call a McDonalds Coke an "Ice". Maybe I should. That's 50%!
"Gas" is gasoline, and my Zenoah drinks that.
Kids just like saying "Nitro".
Maybe it's a dirty word?
I don't call a McDonalds Coke an "Ice". Maybe I should. That's 50%!
"Gas" is gasoline, and my Zenoah drinks that.
Kids just like saying "Nitro".
Maybe it's a dirty word?
12-20-2006, 01:56 PM
#7
RE: Why "Nitro"?
What about the ones burning methane without nitromethane added? Zero 0% nitro - what most trainers really could use.
I think it's something Freudian about the connotations of danger associated with the other "Nitro" - nitroglycerene. Living vicariously through their models.
I think it's something Freudian about the connotations of danger associated with the other "Nitro" - nitroglycerene. Living vicariously through their models.
12-21-2006, 12:47 PM
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RE: Why "Nitro"?
None of them sounds faster to me. Besides, speed is not the be-all end-all of R/C. If it was, I'd be flying turbines, which certainly don't run on "nitro".
12-21-2006, 01:31 PM
#12
RE: Why "Nitro"?
I think the RC car world is mostly pre teens and teens, so marketing hype with no reality has more effect. If you think Nitro is a bad name, how bout "Turbo" glow plugs? Just Nelson style glow plugs, not meant for a turbine or engine with a turbocharger. Neither exist in the RC car world.
12-22-2006, 08:34 AM
#14
RE: Why "Nitro"?
ORIGINAL: SomePeopleHaveNoSenseOfHumor
None of them sounds faster to me. Besides, speed is not the be-all end-all of R/C. If it was, I'd be flying turbines, which certainly don't run on "nitro".
None of them sounds faster to me. Besides, speed is not the be-all end-all of R/C. If it was, I'd be flying turbines, which certainly don't run on "nitro".
Most turbines can run on any fuel, as long as the fuel lines can hold up. No preignition detonation problems to worry about. I know some model turbines have been switched from LP , kerosine, and diesel fuel with no problem. A nitro powered jet would be intresting.
12-24-2006, 05:31 PM
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RE: Why "Nitro"?
certainly true. full size turbines can , with some limitations run on Jet A-1, JP-4, 5 , 8, pure kero or yes gasoline.not every gasoline is a candidate however as some contain aditives harmful to the turbine blades & burner cans & adjustments are made to the fuel control.
12-24-2006, 05:43 PM
#16
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RE: Why "Nitro"?
ORIGINAL: Sport_Pilot
Neither exist in the RC car world.
Neither exist in the RC car world.
....Actually if you take a look over in the "Extreme speed prop planes" forums theres a thread with this in it... [link=http://www.rbinnovations.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21?osCsid=d11e33c1ae482743bf8b90f3fe256f23]http://www.rbinnovations.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21?osCsid=d11e33c1ae482743bf8b90f3fe256f23[/link]
While its impractical...it would have some serious wow factor at the field...
12-24-2006, 07:10 PM
#17
RE: Why "Nitro"?
It's the car guys.
Same guys that constantly post questions about their car GLOW engines in the GAS engines forum.
I move 3 or 4 of them per week over to the car engines forum.
I'm a stickler for the terminology.
A GLOW engine runs on methanol and oil. Uses a glow plug and basically deisels itself once you get it lit. SOME of it has nitromethane in it and some of it doesn't. Car kids think you need 30% nitro to make your car engine run and truth be told--their engines would run totally fine on 5%. Marketing hype.
A GAS engine runs on gasoline and 2-stroke oil. Has a positive spark ignition system. These guys love to argue about what oil and what ratio. Truth be told--they could run ANY 2-stroke oil in their engines if they would just mix it at proper ratios and the engines would last long enough to hit the ground some day in the future without a single scored piston or stuck ring.
A TURBINE runs on "kerosene" of sorts and is for the guys with too much money and usually not enough thumbs to handle the darn thing. I have found a direct correlation between the price of the jet and the life expectancy of the model. The cheap ones can sometimes last as long as the average car glow engine. About 1/2 a season. The expensive ones last sometimes as little as 3 seconds. [sm=lol.gif]
Same guys that constantly post questions about their car GLOW engines in the GAS engines forum.
I move 3 or 4 of them per week over to the car engines forum.I'm a stickler for the terminology.
A GLOW engine runs on methanol and oil. Uses a glow plug and basically deisels itself once you get it lit. SOME of it has nitromethane in it and some of it doesn't. Car kids think you need 30% nitro to make your car engine run and truth be told--their engines would run totally fine on 5%. Marketing hype.
A GAS engine runs on gasoline and 2-stroke oil. Has a positive spark ignition system. These guys love to argue about what oil and what ratio. Truth be told--they could run ANY 2-stroke oil in their engines if they would just mix it at proper ratios and the engines would last long enough to hit the ground some day in the future without a single scored piston or stuck ring.
A TURBINE runs on "kerosene" of sorts and is for the guys with too much money and usually not enough thumbs to handle the darn thing. I have found a direct correlation between the price of the jet and the life expectancy of the model. The cheap ones can sometimes last as long as the average car glow engine. About 1/2 a season. The expensive ones last sometimes as little as 3 seconds. [sm=lol.gif]
12-26-2006, 08:14 PM
#18
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RE: Why "Nitro"?
ORIGINAL: ELTIGRE
certainly true. full size turbines can , with some limitations run on Jet A-1, JP-4, 5 , 8, pure kero or yes gasoline.not every gasoline is a candidate however as some contain aditives harmful to the turbine blades & burner cans & adjustments are made to the fuel control.
certainly true. full size turbines can , with some limitations run on Jet A-1, JP-4, 5 , 8, pure kero or yes gasoline.not every gasoline is a candidate however as some contain aditives harmful to the turbine blades & burner cans & adjustments are made to the fuel control.
flynte
12-26-2006, 10:48 PM
#19
RE: Why "Nitro"?
I don,t care what the RC car kids call it.
I don,t care what any manufacturer cares to call it in order to move product to the kids.
I don,t care what any magazine cares to call in order to move product to the kids so they can in turn sell more advertizing (product)
Glow engines will always be glow engines to me. Much in the same way ARF's are assembled and never built by the customer. Its as simple as that and of course only just my opinion but that is not likely to change in the pursuit of a silly 'cool factor'.
John
I don,t care what any manufacturer cares to call it in order to move product to the kids.
I don,t care what any magazine cares to call in order to move product to the kids so they can in turn sell more advertizing (product)
Glow engines will always be glow engines to me. Much in the same way ARF's are assembled and never built by the customer. Its as simple as that and of course only just my opinion but that is not likely to change in the pursuit of a silly 'cool factor'.
John
01-02-2007, 03:57 PM
#20
RE: Why "Nitro"?
[quote]ORIGINAL: ArmedZagi
ORIGINAL: Sport_Pilot
Neither exist in the RC car world.
Neither exist in the RC car world.
....Actually if you take a look over in the "Extreme speed prop planes" forums theres a thread with this in it... [link=http://www.rbinnovations.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21?osCsid=d11e33c1ae482743bf8b90f3fe256f23]http://www.rbinnovations.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21?osCsid=d11e33c1ae482743bf8b90f3fe256f23[/link]
While its impractical...it would have some serious wow factor at the field...
[/quote
That is a supercharger, not turbocharger. So I was correct.
