Does the Zero turn the same RPM on the same prop as the standard 185cdi? I am looking at this engine for a scale project, but I have been running YS engines since the 90s in pattern planes as well as scale. I have not been able to find a direct comparison anywhere on the web yet. Using 30% does not bother me, but using zero would be nice since I can buy methanol locally and mix with cool power oil that I have 2 gallons of.

No. Talking to Richard earlier this year. You will basically go down one prop size. Advantage is great reduced fuel cost. For max performance you will still want the stock 1.85 or the CDI version.

Arch

Always good to see a remaining person or 2 interested in glow vs electric.

Burning fuel to make noise and thrust is waaayy more fun than using electrons!

I agree!! but the truth about thrust is that thrust from fuel burn (gas or glow, doesn't matter) is less manageable than thrust from electricity. So it depends entirely on what you are trying to achieve.

What gas and glow in Pattern need is a good gear/belt reduction unit. "Good" means effective, long lived and very lightweight.

Here we go again,

Its not what drives your machine but how well you fly that counts.Have a look at the world Champion.
Yes the YS are frustrating initially until you spend the time to understand them .

A bloke at our club recently lined up his EP machine for take off advanced the throttle and the thing caught on fire .......complete right off by the time the fire extinguisher arrived.
When people asked what happened his reply was I don't know it never did this before

So there you go...... fly what you want to fly and be good at it.

rgds

Definitely don't agree with that. From what I've seen, glow is much smoother when throttling up. Both require setting up to achieve the type of power delivery you want.

The are opinions form competition pilots and the ones who love pattern, their ideas will be different as only those who compete in F3A are really subjected to most strict rules, things and details others ignore but talk like they own the truth.

MAVROS, I agree with your coment 100%!

JeffH, the Zero is the answer to the people who did not want to spend about $35 per fuel gallon, it has less power but is the same great engine, for a scale project it should be quite OK.

Regards

If I proceed, it would have to be the 185cdi. I need the power of the non-zero version. The fuel costs do not bother me since I will not be burning 20 cases a year. Let's face it, nitro smells better!

That's what I do, the 185CDI anyway runs from 0 to 25% Nitro, I fly with 25% Nitro as I want all the power I can get from the engine.

And really habe not need it yet...... On the first flight I did with a new engine on an Acuracy Bipe I did three consecutive vertical rolls before ran out of speed with just 4 clicks of throttle, now to me, that's insane power.

You answered your own it seems to me. Exhaust from nitro burner definitely smells better. The fuel that smells better prior to the burn is avgas (but auto gas smells awful). Of course, batteries don't smell at all until the magic smoke makes its appearance....LOL

Decision was made for sure once it was said that the Zero does not make the same power as the standard CDI.
I was hoping to not have to buy 30%, but it does not totally hurt my feelings.
I would run Cam2 or Sunoco Race Gas in my gas burners if it didn't make the engines run so bad...mainly HOT.
I despise the smell of auto gas.

I intend to use the 185 ZERO. What Muffler is recomended for this engine?
Thanks
Eli

Ever since Jersey Jim Martin suggested avgas in my 30cc gassie, that's all I've run in them. Octane is 100 which some think is high but in my experience it works great in the small gas engines. It reduces power ever so slightly compared to premium auto gas but the power is smooth and pure, and is plenty for an 11 lb pattern model, as I've stated before. My piped OS GT33 on avgas turns at least the rpm as the YS185 does on 25% nitro on the same prop. The 185 might have a slight edge in mid range...not that the OS mid range isn't very good. I never have to lead the throttle in any vertical. Just point and add as it needs, same as any good electric or good YS set-up

As I said earlier, either powerplant could benefit from lightweight belt reduction, 1.2:1. A 22x12 at 62-6300 would be sweet.

Has someone been using the YS 185CDI Zero for F3A. What about power and reability of the engine performing the F3A schedule ?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Regards

Enrique