Do-it-yourself fuel?
04-05-2004, 04:43 PM
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Do-it-yourself fuel?
What is the right fuel for the Thunder Tiger .46? I am planning to put it on BUHOR, which is going to be my very first plane. What I gathered from the other topics on the subject, it should be about 15% nitro, 20% oil, right?
Also, can one mix the fuel by himself?
Also, can one mix the fuel by himself?
04-05-2004, 06:21 PM
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RE: Do-it-yourself fuel?
10% nitro and 20% oil, some of it castor and you will be fine. I like Byron's sport fuel.
Yes mixing your own can be done. But it usually ends up costing almost as much as buying it. And to save money you really need to mix up a lot ( nearly 55 gallons). Also you will not get the added anti-corrosive and anti foaming agents purchased fuel has. For now I would suggest buying fuel untill you have some time under your belt. After some experience I cannot see why you can't brew your own. It also helps to have several fliers go in and mix up a batch for themselves. If you decide to brew your own keep all your old jugs to put and store the fuel in. Good luck with the hobby.
Mark Shuman
Yes mixing your own can be done. But it usually ends up costing almost as much as buying it. And to save money you really need to mix up a lot ( nearly 55 gallons). Also you will not get the added anti-corrosive and anti foaming agents purchased fuel has. For now I would suggest buying fuel untill you have some time under your belt. After some experience I cannot see why you can't brew your own. It also helps to have several fliers go in and mix up a batch for themselves. If you decide to brew your own keep all your old jugs to put and store the fuel in. Good luck with the hobby.
Mark Shuman
04-05-2004, 06:24 PM
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RE: Do-it-yourself fuel?
You can mix your own fuel. The problem is locating the ingredients.
Methanol isn't too hard to get.
Medical grade castor oil works... (but is expensive)
Nitromethane is a bit harder to get.
If there is a drag strip around you can get ALL of the components where the drag racers buy thier fuel. They will have both castor and synthetic oils. (usually a few grades of synthetic oil will be available)
128 oz (volume) in a gallon... that means 10% nitro fuel would have 12.8 oz nitro. Then you want 18% oil... thats right at 24 oz. the rest is methanol.
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10% nitro is plenty unless you are racing or the engine instructions say you NEED more. (some 4-strokes specify 20%...) There is not enough benefit for sport flying to justify the cost of more nitro.
Methanol isn't too hard to get.
Medical grade castor oil works... (but is expensive)
Nitromethane is a bit harder to get.
If there is a drag strip around you can get ALL of the components where the drag racers buy thier fuel. They will have both castor and synthetic oils. (usually a few grades of synthetic oil will be available)
128 oz (volume) in a gallon... that means 10% nitro fuel would have 12.8 oz nitro. Then you want 18% oil... thats right at 24 oz. the rest is methanol.
**********
10% nitro is plenty unless you are racing or the engine instructions say you NEED more. (some 4-strokes specify 20%...) There is not enough benefit for sport flying to justify the cost of more nitro.
