Hi all, I'm new to R/C flying and I started in the summer with 10% nitro and now club members are advising me to switch to 15% for the cooler months. Temperatures in the 40s and 30s. I'm running a Tower Hobbies .75 2 stroke. Is there any truth to this? Thanks!

Dunno -- if (as some claim) more nitro makes your motor run cooler then it would make more sense to run *less* nitro wouldn't it?

We don't change our nitro ratios from one season to another -- we just use 5% in 2-strokes and 10% in 4-strokes -- they all run fine all year round.

Mind you we're not bold/stupid enough to fly when the temperature drops below zero and our maximum summer temps are probably no more than about 85 deg F

no you don't change any thing. you just tune for the season(weather+conditions)

I see, the logic behind it was that in colder temperatures you want more nitro to make the engine run warmer? I ran some 15% today and it seemed just as good as the 10% if not better.

Wrap some ten foil around the cooling fins on your engine an head. Poke a few holes in it with a pen. Works for me when its 20 or 30 degrees

There is no point in changing your fuel. I usually change to a hotter plug in the colder months. I haven't heard the aluminum foil trick yet, so I don't know how well that works.

Tim

The coldest I've flown in was the mid twenties. F of course. I don't do anything special for winter other than tune it properly just as I would when it is warm. A couple of weeks ago it was in the low thirties and I had to fly about 5 or 6 minutes and then land to warm the hands. I would go back up for another 5 or 6 and then land again. Took three runs to empty the tank and by then I was ready to call it a day. Guess I am spoiled to warmer weather. We don't have many days in the 20's and 30's around Houston.

I live in NH. We fly year round, rain, sleat, snow, or shine. like the post man

I just watched a FS 180 run on 5% with glow on battery it was 18% F

motor ran great. Im finding the right plug will make all the differance .

Gary

Doesn't more nitro make an engine run cooler?

Delayed responce , I just getting use to this thing (RC Univ)

I dont have a answer .. Im new to this hobby, less than 1 year.

I do fly with Joe Rob, and i rely heavily on his 42 years of experience.

More nitro makes the engine start and run better in colder weather. However 10% nitro is good enough for colder weather. I have been flying a lot in the -10, -18 degree celsius range. My Saito fourstrokes and OS twostrokes will run and idle great and very low. I also use OS-F glow plugs in all the two and fourstrokes. You just need to set the needles slightly richer than in hot summer days.