"Coleman Powermax fuel" where to buy ? online or local store ?
 

Hi ,

anyone purchased some recently in houston area ? or found some online ?



if i can not find any ,,, i did see post about convert to regular propane with regulator ... but rather just use what was being used before on a ram500 turbine.


ok, thanks !

RE:
 

As far as I know, "Powermax" is no longer made... but you can buy other "Mixed" fuels that work. If you have on-board gas for starting... straight propane has too high of pressure for the plastic hoses.

RE: RE:
 

HI, Coleman Powermax, is such a better fuel for starting our gas start turbines. At 60/40%, (Butane/propane )the pressure ,at 70degrees is 54psi, compared to109psi. for straight propane.
Rcpete

RE: RE:
 

Check this thread out, I have changed over to the Coleman Campingaz and it has worked great for me. I have been running it in my JetCat P160 and P70 so far.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10...m.htm#10786141

RE:
 

The problem with Powermax no longer being made is that the rubber seal they use has a shelf life. I have bought Powermax from several sources and found the same problem. Once you plug them in they leak and won't stop leaking. You basically have to toss it out in the yard until it empties at that point. 10 bucks down the drain every time this happens. I currently have only a few good cans out of a full case. Once these run out I'll be forced to go to the green can.

The longer time passes the worse these seals get. I wouldn't waste any more money on Powermax. JMO.

Andy

RE: RE:
 

while some turbines don't like the 100% propane (their design causes uneven heating and warping), when used with a regulator JetCat's love it, start first time every time regardless of outside temp. you don't even have to make any changes, just plug the regulars output hose onto the powermax probe on your gas line, initiate a start, when your start is complete, turn off the propane and disconnect.

i've got a few cans of powermax that have been sitting on the shelf for 5+ yrs, after i went to 100% propane, i've never touched a can again.

RE: RE:
 

HI Andrew, I currently use the powermax containers for air tanks, once empty. Since I still need containers, what I do now is transfer the powermax fuel, into the green empty propane bottles. Not a big deal, easy to do, pressure always goes from a high pressure to low pressure, so you can put the green container in the fridge, cool down, connect the two bottles together and transfer, also to speed up the transfer, warm the powermax.
Rcpete

RE: RE:
 

Great idea!

RE:
 

I checked with our local "Coleman Outlet and Museum"  here in Wichita and they said that they were out......... But, they normally do have on hand both the 170 and 300 gram bottles. Only thing to offer is their phone number so that you can check with them as to when it will be available.
316. 264.0836

Coleman Factory Outlet and Museum
235 N Saint Francis
Wichita, KS 67202

This does give you a place to go, if not now, but in the future for getting this.

Cheers
Rick

RE: RE:
 

I have been using plain old Coleman propane with our regulator for years on every engine brand we run without an ounce of trouble. Not sure where this "Uneven" heating theory comes from, I have never seen this issue? The main reason for going to "Powermax" in the early days of onboard propane was due to the higher head pressure of straight propane over the propane/butane mix. With gas in the onboard tank, propane would sometimes burst a festo line with the aircraft subjected to the heat of the sun. The lower head pressure of the powermax mix eliminated this issue. With most moving away from onboard tanks, there really is no reason to use the "Blends"... Green Propane with our regulated adapter and your good to go at less than 1/3 the cost and found everywhere!

http://dreamworksrc.com/catalog/imag...pane_valve.jpg

RE: RE:
 

PM'd you the source.

RE: RE:
 

hey thanks everyone for post i have decided to try both options,,, see what works best ,,, strait propane with regulator and the a current coleman mix which avail now...


seeing how i am new to the turbines and this jet ,,,


first option that's starts the turbine without reprogramming settings ,,, is the winner.

just want to get flying !!


thanks again !!

RE: RE:
 

Agreed.

I use Todd's regulator, and it's great. It has 4 "Clicks" on the knob. position 1 will light my AMT, and then I crank it to full. (air start engine) and on my wren, I just set it to the second click, and it lights easy, and quick.

AND.... the best part is... you can get 2 green cans at Wal-Mart for $5 !! That will last all summer. (or longer)

Here's a test start of my Wren that is supposed to use "Powermax". You will see Todd's valve/regulator in use.

http://youtu.be/oCVKIkYhfow

RE: RE:
 

Mr Honda,

You forgot to turn your radio off.............
How much for the regulators to suit the green gas ?

RE: RE:
 

$25. it pays for its self in just a few months with the cost savings over the blended fuels.

http://dreamworksrc.com/catalog/prop...ted-p-716.html

RE: RE:
 

I posted this in the other thread too, but the blended fuels are readly available for reasonable prices in almost any camping/outdoor store. the problem is that they take a different type of fitting. One of these from Altecare RC fixes that problem ($15, about 1/3 of the way down the page):

http://www.altecare.com/behotecaccessories.htm

I use off-board gas now too with this valve. Its just a lot easier, safer, and wastes less gas...

Bob

RE: RE:
 

I actually feel I get better/more consistent starts with the Green propane. Much less variability due to temperature, frozen lines, low tank etc. I also like the simplicity of not having an on-board tank.

RE: RE:
 

The only thing that I have heard is that you need to turn down your ramp temp a little. Especially on a cold day. I'll be going green as soon as all of my Powermax runs out. I like no onboard tanks myself these days.

RE: RE:
 

Granted a cold day here is low teens but that's not cold enough to require any adjustments with the regulated propane.

RE:
 

Good tip RC Pete, I'll hang on to my next propane empty in case my Powermax seals let go. I liked the Powermax, it must not have been too popular with campers for some reason. Maybe the can was too big for backpacking or something.

RE: RE:
 

I use Todd's regulator valve and green bottles in my P-70s and P-80. No problem at all. Very cheap. I buy two bottles in a pack for less than 5 bucks.

RE:
 

I just bought a reg from Todd.

RE:
 

I use the green bottle straight with no regulator.[8D]

RE: RE:
 

this kind?

https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/im...Gbq61aeV4nRjqb

RE: RE:
 

Had to chime in on this one..... +6 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/thumbup.gif

Rick