Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

I'd first like to thank everyone for their help in my previous posts. I ordered my Sonic low wing on Thursday and it's set to arrive this Tuesday.


It's going to be between 35-and 40 this coming week, and I do not have an electric starter. Can any of you suggest some tricks to get your engine firing easily at these temperatures? Thanks!

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

I can't think of anything special needed. Just prime it, apply your glow plug battery and flip away. I fly in freezing weather and do not have any problems. Good Luck, Dave

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

In the winter I always carry a small can of lighter fluid in my flight box. I use a couple of drops on the first start-up and never have any problems.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

Hmmm. Okay, thanks. I've had problems in the past, but I suppose it must have been my spark plug or glow plug.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

Leave your glow-plug igniter on and worm up your engine before you fly. The only problem I've had in cold weather, is when you fly at low idle for a while and jump to full throttle, the engine gets cold and well cough and die. I tend to ease into it when it's cold.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

It think it helps to keep both the engine and fuel varm/tapid, keeping it in the car until it is needed can help.
We had 25F here today, so I didn't go to the field, it gets a bit tricky to keep the fingers warm enough for flipping and adjusting the needle...

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

If I decide to fly in cold* weather, I make sure that my glow plug battery is fully charged so that the plug glows bright yellow/ orange (also carry a couple of spares )...

*cold to me means below freezing...25 to 30 degrees F. (anything lower than 25 forget it...not anymore, especially if it's windy )

I don't like flipping props anymore, so I use an electric starter...

My process: choke it at WOT until the fuel reaches the carb...don't over-do it though...then spin it over w/ the starter without the plug batt. attached to work a little fuel in and loosen 'er up...
Set throttle to about 1/4 and attach plug batt. and hit 'er w/ the starter.
I keep my plug batt. in my pocket to keep it warm, and the spare(s ) stay in the van. The airplane and Tx. also go back in the van after a flight to try and keep cold soak to a minimum.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

Thanks for all of your replies. I think I may get in the back of my SUV with the plane, heat blasting, and start it up quickly.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

Yetti, I have OS 46ax that when warm outside it will flip with no problem but now that it is cold (it was 32 the other morning that I flew) I have to use a starter or sit and flip it for ever [:@]. If you can keep the engine warm till you need it you should be alright.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

I should look into wiring a blow dryer to a battery . . . .

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

Go to Auto Zone or equielant store and get some starting fluid. I spray it in the carb and the motor starts right up. I think it is like $3- $4 a can.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

If your in your car/truck already then just hold the engine at the tailpipe to heat it up. At our last meeting they were talking about winter flying and i was thinking if you can burn stuff with a magnifying glass and the sun i wonder if it would work to heat up an engine on a sunny day.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

The best cold weather start is to get a can of model diesel engine fuel. A few drops into the air intake will do the trick.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

Do you guys have to richen the mixture a little when flying in cold weather?I know that cold air is denser and I have to watch the jetting on my race quad because it leans out when it gets cold.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

Yes, I have to richen the needle but I think it is mainly due to the castor getting really thick...

Haven't tried putting diesel fuel in the glow engine, that's basically starting gas with oil in it. I often run both so I'll try that next time. I usually preheat the diesels with a small torch and they fire right up (handflipping).

If it gets up to 30°F tomorrow I might give it a go...

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

As mentioned by BD3 the needle needs to be richened in cooler weather because of the denser air. The more nitro you use the more sensitivity to temperature.

With a air fuel ratio of close to 6:1 with methanol whereas gasoline is 14:1 is the reason this is so sensitive.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

I can feel another endless discussion coming.... :eek:

I don't disagree to the air being a few percent denser at lower temp, just think that the viscosity of the fuel is a more important factor (that's just a feeling I have using 25% castor). These two effects work in the same direction anyway...

Also I thought the prupose of Nitro was to reduce the needle sencitivity?

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

I heard that guys up in Alaska use aluminium vent tape and rap it around there cylinder head vent ribs to help keep the engine hot.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

We had about 23°F (-5°C) here today but all this talk gave me an itch....
So I grabbed an easy flier and headed to the field, a bit windy and deserted.
I changed to a hotter plug and preheated the engine using a butan torch (set on low heat) just enough in order for the engine to turn smoothly. It then fired right up hand flipping and all. Engine ran excellent, only problem was that I had to wear wollen mittens to keep warm and that killed the feeling for the sticks... [:@]

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

I have heard and tried some of the previous ideas. Some are good ideas, some questionable. I even remember a guy putting lighter fluid on the engine and lighting it to pre-warm the engine. Not a particularly safe method, but getting the engine warm helps. I found the most important thing was having my glow plug starter battery in good condition and completely charged up. When you do get the engine running and warmed up, there is the problem of being comfortable. With the cold weather and fuel on your fingers you quickly find your fingers are cold. Adjusting a needle and then using your transmitter can be tricky. Meanwhile, you feel just cold. An electric starter would really help. Have some nice warm soup when you get home and start planning the next plane.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

Hello Mr Cox and others
As you mentioned, flying with heavy gloves is just impossible for me. I have finally found the secret. Now I use a cheap pair of work gloves that are thin. They are cotton or wool. They can keep my fingers from hurting for about 10 minutes while I am flying. In the cold I make my flights about 8 minutes. I keep my heavy gloves inside my jacket/coat, against my chest. After I land and stop the engine I change to my warm, heavy gloves and put my thin gloves against my chest inside my jacket/coat so they are ready for the next flight. I love to take off and land in the snow. I have a new SPAD biplane I have been flying, and my new skis fit perfectly. I'm waiting for the first snow.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

Duh...I missed the "and I don't have an electric starter" bit of the first post...oops...must not have been fully awake yet?:eek::D

One of my OFB's (Old Flyin' Buddies ) uses the trick of holding the engine cyl. under the car's exhaust pipe...seems to work for him, but I've never tried it.
Guess if you can't put the plane back in the vehicle between flights, you might need something to warm the engine before the next flight. If one of the newer guys talked me into going out in the (really ) cold again, I'd probably bring my propane torch..;) I'm 48 now, and the novelty of flying in the Winter has worn off somewhat.

If you get yourself an elec. starter you'll virtually eliminate the need for special primes, warming the engines, etc. etc. AND the possability of getting your cold fingers whacked by the prop...(ooohhh whatta wonderful feeling![X(][:@] especially if you've gotten some fuel on your fingers...:D )

I've used alum. foil duct tape wrapped around the head/ upper cylinder, and it worked quite well on my TT .46 along with an A3 plug. I used it when the temps got below freezing. It helped a lot when shooting touch and go landings...helped the transition from idle back to WOT. (keeps the engine from over cooling )

One other thing we need to remember is that the batteries in the radio will not last as long, so you'll need to keep a close eye on the state of charge. Cold really effects batteries in a bad way.
That's the main reason I return my airplane and transmitter to the vehicle in between flights. Might as well, because all the rest of us are in our vehicles too, keeping warm, drinking hot chocolate/coffee and "supervising" the one poor sap who is standing out there in the cold, flying his airplane.:D

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

yetti831

I never use an electric starter, but look at the beginning of my video. you see the way I start my MVVS 7,5 ccm (0,45) Video Jonni when the temperature is beneath 14 degrees C (57, 2 F) and evaporation of the alcohol stops. Warm water over the engine.
The engine is mounted with the carb downwards so no water enters the engine

A litthe water is enough to warm up the engine above the evaporation temperature of the fuel.
Picture 1 is all I need, koffie for me, warm water for the engine and the glowplug battery.
Picture 2 my Taurus in winter conditions with the warm water can Before starting I put the plane on one wingtip to prevent water enters the engine during the "warming up".
In the cockpit (3) I have an LED this is blue when the engine head temperature near the glow plug is beneath 14 C degrees (red above 200 C with memory and green normal temp with duty cycle indication between 150 and 180 C))

Video Jonni
http://www.rcuniverse.com/mvp/videolink.cfm?postid=5654

Succes and keep your thumbs warm! For my feet I use wooden shoes, look the video when I step away!


Cees

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

Hey Taurus Flyer, would you know anything about the Taurus Plus. From what I have learned its a vintage pattern plane from the 70s. A member of my club gave it to me the first day I showed up:D. How did you make the LED temp system. Our weather rarely drops below 20f and if it does its prolly at night.

RE: Suggestions for Cold Weather Start-Ups
 

I had to lean my high speed needle out to start, then tune for the colder denser air.