first time starting
 

first time ever starting a plane. i would like to get it running correctly before wasting an experienced fliers time in the field. but i have some questions. first do all engins spin in the same direction? will the fuel work its way into the engin from the tank by just tring to start it if the lines are empty? engin is an os .61 fx.




plane has been check by an experienced flier its ok. i think i have a defective starter torqmaster 90 wont turn the propeller any suggestions

RE: first time starting
 

Believe me, that most experienced fliers would rather you bring it to the field before you try to start it. Today's engines break in quickly. What will impress the experience fliers is making sure the radio in correctly installed, the controls are set up with the right throws, the control surfaces are centered, the throttle throw adjust to open and close without stalling the servo, the battery and receiver wrapped in foam padding, the tank correctly connected and the wheels turn and roll in a straight line.

Show up with all the batteries charged with the above and you will be flying inside an hour.

RE: first time starting
 

HighPlains is right, its better to have the plane checked out "before" starting the engine.:D

RE: first time starting
 

The instructions that come with the OS engine will explain in detail how to start, adjust and break-in your engine.

RE: first time starting
 

Here's a new web site put together by a couple of RCU members, this is the engine page.



http://www.gettingairborne.com/engines.html

RE: first time starting
 

the plane has been check by an experience flier it is ok. i think i have a defective starter torqmaster 90 will not spin the propeller

RE: first time starting
 

A lot of times even a strong starter will have problems pushing the engine through the first compression stroke. Here's a little tip that will help you out. Before you put the starter on the the spinner rotate the prop CLOCKWISE until it hits the compression of the engine. Then put the starter on the spinner and push with firm pressuer against the spinner. Then activate your starter to turn over the engine. By turning the engine clockwise until it gets to the compression stroke it will give a little of "free space" for the starter to turn in to build up speed before it hits the next compression stroke of the engine. It should be able to turn over the engine with no problems now.

Ken

RE: first time starting
 

This is unlikely.

It is more likely that either your battery is not supplying enough voltage to the Torqmaster, or your engine has so much compression ( e.g. it's new ) that the starter cannot get it over the TDC position as you are doing things now.

You should turn the engine counter the revolution direction of the prop until it stops, put on the glow plug ignitor and then put the starter up to the engine spinner, and finally hit the starter's switch.

This will give the engine a "running start" so to speak where during the first part of the revolution it has no compression resistance.

Also note that if this is a brand new ABC engine, you may still need to help it a bit.

On their very first runs, crank the engine over by hand to draw fuel into the crankcase, and then I often need to warm up the cylinder head ( particularly on SuperTigre's, GMS and Tower Hobbies engines ) with a hair dryer.

This expands the head enough to make the initial starting a bit easier, though usually after that very first 4-5 minute run, this is no longer needed ever again.

RE: first time starting
 

Ken.. r u bak?

How did it go?

What did you buy?

How much did you spend (on RC stuff) ?

Was Hank there? :D

Nosy? Nah.. hey.. I'm like a kid.. curious.. ;)

Dick.

RE: first time starting
 

you can just take the tubbing off of the muffler and blow into the return line instead of cracking it and cranking.
If you have an electric starter it'll vacume it faster.

once the engine breaks in. You can easily start it with a chicken stick.
It helps if you mount the prop in the correct posistion.

If you flood the engine and create a freeze lock, it not going to matter what starter you have.
And you'll have a nice melted spiner if you're using a plastic spiner.:)

remove the glow plug and dump the fuel from the engine.

an old simple trick if had ever owned a nitro RC car with a pull start.
drop a drop of fuel in the carb and it'll usually start on the first pull.

RE: first time starting
 

HighPlains and Fastsky are right.

Make arrangements to meet an instructor at the field and take everything. Let him know you question the reliability of your starter, that way he will know to bring one.

He will be able to diagnose the starter and engine issues a lot better than those of us who are sitting at our keyboards. The starter, or starter battery, could be bad. There is no way for anyone who is not there to know for sure.