Whirley Bird

My Feedback: (1)

I read a few post where some guys say it's hard to get the nitro engine started in cold weather.
Is this related to the cold fuel?
What about turning up the voltage on the glow starter.
I tested several and they really light up hot with 3 volts and so far I haven't blown out a glow plug.
What about a small torch to pre heat the cylinder head??
Just a thought.
Open for suggestions
I use 10 and 15% nitro fuels from TH.
Vegas./

Brainiax

Nah, I wouldn't mess with a torch for sure. It's just the nature of the beast with these engines. You'll burn way too many glow plugs too if you increase the voltage. The double bangers are a lot harder to start than the 4-strokes though, at least in my experiences. Patience my friend, patience.......

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I would avoid using 3v on a glow plug. When it's really cold... I stay home

But if I HAVE to fly, I will often set my plane so the engine is being warmed by the exhaust pipe on my car (While I sit in the running car to stay warm).

Murdoc

My engines run better in cold weather. I don"t have the problem with overheating when its cold.
Not that my engines doesent run good in warm weather, but they do definately not run any poorer on the winter!

exeter_acres

My Feedback: (2)

When I still lived in Michigan.. if the plane was smaller, I would get it in the car/truck to try and warm the engine... or since I lived only 5 minutes from the field... i would use my heat gun to warm up the engine and the quickly get out to the field.....

BE CAREFUL of glow fuel in the winter... the freezing point is much lower than water... so even though it is a liquid it is very cold.... so should it spill on your hands it can flash freeze.....
not to scare.. just a heads up

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

Back 40-50 yrs ago we would prime with lighter fluid. Does not take much and they pop right off

Whirley Bird

My Feedback: (1)

Well,
Right now the whole weekend is looking good but cold.
So i'll some lighter fluid with me.
As for the fuel I see the stuff I get from TH has a lot of water drops inside the bottle.
I worked in A/C and HVAC and I know some oils soak up water like a sponge.
Looks like the Nitro fuels are hygroscopic.
Does anyone have a preference as to what fuels are less prone to suck up moisture?
Vegas/

Whirley Bird

My Feedback: (1)

I have a batch of those TH Glow Plugs that come in a 3 pack so I decided to try the 3 volts
It was super hot and more like an orange color so I decided to leave it on and after 5 full minutes the meter on the glow started was starting to move down just a bit.
The little buggers are really built to take abuse.
Vegas/

Whirley Bird

My Feedback: (1)

Jim,
Your saying the lighter fluid will fire off easier then the fuel?
Vegas/

Whirley Bird

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks for that information.
I have nerve damage and I can't feel cold like most others can.
I can be chipping ice off my station wagon and still sweat when it's 20*
I got really sick one time because I had no idea what was going on and I went to the ER and they told me I had hypothermia.
I was there 3 days.
Nothing to fool around with and now I get spells in JULY where I feel like i'm freezing to death.
Vegas/

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

It doesn't take much lighter fluid and they pop off right now.

Any more I just use the electric starter and they start right up with regular glow fuel but I don't get out there when it is much below freezing

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

Methyl Alcohol is hydroscopic and is the main ingredient in glow fuel

OldRookie

My Feedback: (13)

I'm not a winter flier, but the people that are out there with fuel engines usually have a can of WD-40 near by. It helps starting in cold weather.
Most of the people that fly regularly in cold weather around here use electric power.

Greg

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

WD40 works as well as lighter fluid

Murdoc

I"ll definately try the lighter fluid method!
But doesent lighter fluid freeze in a nano second?

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

I never had any trouble with it at as low as 25F. I don't smoke so I don't know about any colder.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

This is making me want to stay home =) I learned that God made guitars for cold weather =)

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

I hope to go flying one more time this year and then I'm waiting for spring. I don't get out in below 40 F weather to fly any more

Whirley Bird

My Feedback: (1)

Nah Jim,
Then you'll be reading about all the flights we had.
Well you can do what others do and fly some small electric heli around the house.
I have 5 all total with the Falcon being the biggest but I enjoy fixed wings better.
Vegas/

Whirley Bird

My Feedback: (1)

No,
You have that wrong.
God made GIRLS for cold weather
Vegas/

Whirley Bird

My Feedback: (1)

I always asked myself why they use hydroscopic and hygroscopic for the same oils
Vegas/

Whirley Bird

My Feedback: (1)

I also have the electric starter.
Not the HD type but it cranks the 60 size over at over 1,200 RPM.
At least that what shows on the hand held TAC
Vegas/

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

You may be correct?

But what you thought I said was not what I meant which is hydrophilic

Hygroscopy is the ability of a substance to attract water molecules from the surrounding environment through either absorption or adsorption. THIS IS THE CORRECT ONE

Hydrophilic ~ water loving. Such compounds have an affinity to water and are usually charged or have polar side groups to their structure that will attract water.

Hydrophobic ~ water hating. These compounds are repelled by water and are usually neutral (no charge.)

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

...

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

That starter should be good enough