I sold my Decathlon today and am getting ready for my first pattern ship- I can't tell you how excited I am!!! The wise decision would be to pick up something used at the meet in Jackson, and this would take some patience. The next choice is a new Venus II; they are relatively inexpensive, durable, and I have read and understand the directions fairly well.

Either way I need a power plant. Again, the wise choice is an OS 120AX; they are less expensive, reliable, powerful, etc. However, fuel in Vermont cost $30/gallon for 10%!!! So this has me thinking I would like a four stroke, in combination with better low-end power (I don't want to have to keep up speed to start a maneuver, would love to fly past at 1/2 throttle or so and have plenty of power to pull into a loop or vertical up line or something). I understand the 120AX has lots of power, but from what I gather a four stroke would use somewhere about half the amount of fuel? I've already burned 7 or 8 gallons since the first week in may, and that's just on a .46.

There is no one at my field to help me with a YS four stroke, so I'd be totally on my own with this one. I learned everything I know about 2 strokes on this site, and am fairly competent at tuning them (especially when they are not mine, and there's no pressure to get them running). I honestly don't know if it would be the same for a four stroke or not.

So, what do I need to know about YS four strokes? Any advice about what happens out of the box, what is likely to go wrong, and if you want to emphasize that it's the WRONG decision, please feel free. Again I know it's been suggested to stick with what I know and the reliability of the AX to get me plenty of stick time, and if this is the general consensus then I will do that, but I would LOVE to have a YS 110

Thanks guys.

The YS stuff runs, and runs great. However, it is definitely a different setup than you are used to. The 1.10 is a pressurized fuel system and that has its own specifics that are a little different. For the Venus II, there isn't any advantage to have the 1.10 over the 1.20AX. The fuel system is nice, but not really necessary for where you are at the moment. You are familiar with the 2 strokes, and they run great. The 1.20AX is no exception. The YS stuff just is different. Not better, or worse, just different. I personally LOVE the YS stuff in the higher classes, and wouldn't trade my DZ's for anything. My 1.10 is great as well, but there is definitely a steeper learning curve with the pressurized systems than the OS 2 strokes. Fuel consumption is also higher with the 1.10 and you'll get better performance with high nitro's, which isn't really necessary with the OS. 15% Nitro, fuel, flip and fly which is much more benficial to you financial and for peace of mind right now,

Arch

Buy a good quality tach. You will not be able to tune without one.

Read lots of posts by Troy Newman and follow them exactly.

YS engines are easy to run, there is no fuss. Here are some pointers:

Setting - follow the instructions on the LSN and HSN, don't touch the regulator if you can, base setting is flush with the housing, remember the LSN is an air bleed, open (counter clockwise) to lean
Tank - make sure its strong, esp the bung, that is the weak link, buy a quality one
Plumbing - double check that its correct and that there are NO leaks, its obvious when there is a leak. Always release the tank pressure before filling up if not the YS will p33 on yer
Muffler - remove the muffler halves, clean with alcohol and tighten the screws using Locktite.
Fuel - 25% heli from Cool Power is heavenly
Maintenance - check the tappet clearance now and then, if you remove anything else that has a gasket, replace the gasket, the most minute tear will cause leakage problems.

Most important of all that you need to do is to show us a pic of the huge smile on your face when you first use your YS!

I have the YS 1.10 in my Venus and a friend has an OS 1.20 AX in his. Both fly the plane well. The 1.10 has incredible power for its size. You will not get fuel savings with the 1.10. It uses more fuel and the fuel it likes is more expensive. Make sure you have the muffler pieces and the muffler securely attached. I know of a few guys who lost the end of the muffler in flight. The OS is a smoother running engine as far as vibration goes. This is my first YS and will likely be my last. I like it a lot, but it is expensive to run if you do a lot of flying.

Thanks guys, I fly a TON and don't want to spend $45 for a gallon of fuel - 10% here is $30-$35 as it is. The familiarity plus the power of a 120 two stroke makes me say I'm gonna get the 120AX. Some of you suggested I need to do what will get me the simplest setup so I can fly a lot, and you are right. I seem to want everything now but I have years to get into a 4 stroke, so maybe when I have a larger budget and some more experience flying pattern planes.

Will be ordering the Venus when my credit card payment clears 120AX shortly after that.

thanks for the help.

If you are just starting out in pattern IMO forgett the YS its complicated enough to get through the sequence, you do not want to be messing about with an engine you don't know how to set up, also they need 20 - 30% nitro to run properly so any saving on fuel by going smaller in cubic capacity will be negated by the extra cost, the frustration of competition is enough you don't want to put yourself through more, just get an ordinary OS or similar to start with and fit the tank behind the firewall, when you notice the difference in trim during flight from the fuel being used up, that's when you will possibly be ready for the YS with its pump and the fuel tank back on the C of G, personnaly I use a Weston UK tuned Magnum with a Webra regulating valve to pump the fuel up too the engine and its less complicated than setting up the YS, which sits in a box unused.

This of course is my opinion only and will not correspond with anyone else I'm sure, ducking the flack, repel boarders Mr Christian. LOL

Mike

You won't get flak from me. Your opinion sounds logical and well thought out. [sm=thumbs_up.gif]

I love YS engines to death but the 120AX will keep running cost lower for sure. A 120's out put is about the same as the YS110. From my personal experience, there is nothing hard about running a YS but yeah, the 120AX will keep it simple, its just like running a 46 2C for sure.

Mike ... run yer YS! You may fall in love with her. I can't wait to run my YS160 when my plane arrives.

Joe,
The YS engines tend to need higher nitro than the OS 2-strokes and I don't think the fuel economy is better. In fact I'm pretty sure the YS will use more. Dude, keep it simple. Put an OS 120Ax in that Venus 2 and fly. You're not going to be in Masters for at least another year. LOL

If you're having a hard time buying fuel, talk to the guys at the Jackson contest. We usually do a mass fuel purchase from S+W. I don't want to disclose the price here but it's A LOT less than what you're paying.

I'll bring a Venus 2 with an OS 120Ax to Jackson so that you can fly it. Trust me - it's all you need for now.

John Pavlick
Team Black Magic

Awesome, thanks guys!