ORIGINAL: boex
Well, I am back in the air with my extra 330 and my stock 2300 in it, after fixing the damaged landing gear and fuse because of a deadstick. I am now flying very conservatively, high, close to the runway, not varying the throttle much just in case of another flameout. This is not the way to fly an extra but the 2300 apparently doesn't like any other type of flying, let alone 3d.
My question is, is this engine will ever get to the point where it becomes trustworthy to attempt mild 3d flying or is it going to behave poorly and unreliably the rest of its life?
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The majority of times when people complain about deadsticks (which are the pilot's fault, not that of the engine) they have a problem with their fuel tank set up and plumbing, IF the engine has been broken-in properly. Some engines should not be flown until they are well broken-in on a test bench. Especially if the engine is intended for 3D flying. 3D requires that an engine be really seated well and finely adjusted.
Those complaining about the G2300, or most any other engine, have made some bad decisions along the way, but, once again, assuming that the engine has been broken-in properly. glow engines generally are not plug'n'play. If you want one of those, you shouldn't be looking at anything other than YS or OS.
Were I forced to fly a two-stroke glow engine in my 3D plane (not likely), the first thing that I would do is to fit the engine with either a Cline or Iron Bay regulator system. The fuel tank would have to be something high end, not the junk that comes with most models. I would also be tempted to look for a carburetor with a slightly smaller air flow capability than the stock carb that came with the G2300. You're not going to be using full throttle often anyway, if you have the least bit of finesse, so you might as well get a carb that will sufficiently atomize the fuel during partial throttle operation. Most glow two-strokes suffer in this area. This would be a smaller OS or Magnum/Sanye/ASP/SC carb. Or, if you want a really great carb, see if one from Jett Engineering will fit your engine after explaining to the helpful folks what it is that you are trying to do.
You may as well add a head gasket or two too, because most 3D folks are also nitro freaks, at least here in the US.
Were I really paranoid about deadsticking during a hover, an onboard glow driver might also be in the works. Most times they aren't needed, if things are set up correctly. Most times. It is not beyond reason to swap out the glow driver for a light weight spark ignition system. Then you know you'll have spark when you need it.
I have yet to understand why anyone thinks that hovering a model a few feet off the ground is any big deal. What are you guys thinking? Try flying a proscribed pattern some day and find out what disciplined flying is about. It is much more difficult than flopping around in close.
Ed Cregger