Nelson Engine Safety
 

At the time trials a week and a half ago, I applied the glow igniter to my Nelson .40, removed my fuel line clip, and hit the button to give it juice as I reached for my starter. Before I picked up the starter the Nelson fired up to full throttle all on its own. Thankfully, my helper had a good hold on the plane. This is the second time this has happened to me in 6 years of racing 428.

Just a helpful hint to make sure some one is holding your plane when you apply glow power.

RE: Nelson Engine Safety
 

Dave,

A small change in the start up procedure may prevent that.

I hook everything up, switch on the glow driver, THEN remove the clip.

Ed S

RE: Nelson Engine Safety
 

Yup, fuel last.

But even with a little fuel left in the case from a previous run might make it bark back. Good safety advice.

RE: Nelson Engine Safety
 

Dave:
I have had both Q40 and Q500 Nelsons start with no glow ingiter attached. It happens when I'm priming the engine. Not a very comfortable feeling. So far every time it has happened (probably 10 of 15 times) my caller has had a good hold on the plane. I'v seen it happen to others also. My suggestion, not always followed by me, is to make sure the caller has a good grip before doing you do anything which could cause the engine to start.

Barry

RE: Nelson Engine Safety
 

I've also had a few occasions where it'll light and run during priming (no glow ignitor.

One time when I was breaking in a new one, I had primed it and it had stopped near TDC. The ignitor cord was connected but not turned on. When I pressed the buttontp turn on the ignitor it lit and stayed running (didn't flip the prop).

I've even had a YS 4-stroke light without glow.

Makes you think twice before casually flipping a prop on an unrestrained model!