Hints and Tips

Float Setup   

 Click on the above button to take you to the float setup page. 

This takes a while to load as it is a LARGE file. Thanks go to Jim Onorato and Model Airplane News for this article in the September 2000 issue.

Glow Plugs and how they work. The GLOW plug is made up of a steel “ Plug “ with a platinum wire coil that is heated by applying an electric source, be it a “clip on” wire assembly, from your flight box, or “twist on” battery, McDaniel ™, that causes the plutonium wire coil to “ GLOW “ and when the fuel is added and compressed to the right pressure, by the piston, the Alcohol in the fuel ignites raising the combustion chamber pressure forcing the piston down which in turn rotates the crankshaft, turning the propeller. What keeps the “Glow” plug glowing is the chemical reaction between the Alcohol and the Platinum wire coil, when you have the right compression, causing the Alcohol to burn.

               The term “HOT” or “COLD” when applied to glow plugs refers to the heat range that the plug operates in.

   A “HOT” plug is used in a engine that has more than enough cooling air or water and you would like more performance out of the engine, because, you can run the engine leaner producing more power, for example a trainer aircraft with the engine out in the air and not surrounded by a cowling.

A “Cold” plug is used when the engine does not have enough cooling air or water and you need to run it very “Rich”, for example, a Ducted fan engine or a Car engine.

 Indications that you need to change the glow plug.

 

1.    Twisted or mangled platinum coil.   (Usually caused by to high a compression ratio.)

2.    Small “Bumps” on the platinum coil.   (Generally found when breaking in a new motor, as these are tiny pieces of aluminum that have welded themselves to the coil.)

3.    The coil is no longer shiny but is dull in appearance.   ( Caused by old age, like me ☺. ) ( The catalytic reaction between the Alcohol and the Platinum causes a White powdery build-up on the coil. )

4.    The coil will not “Glow”.   (Usual cause is the coil is shorted out or broken.)

5.    Glow plug lights but when the battery is disconnected the engine quits.   (Usually caused by the particles in indication #2.)

6.    Glow plug lights and the engine runs but you have a power loss or the engine quits at high RPM.   (Usually caused by the White powder build-up on the coil as described in #3.)

Pre-flight checklist.

                                                                                                                                 Check          

1.       Batteries charged/Tested..……………….Rx                                     __

2.       Batteries charged/Tested..……………….Tx                                     __

3.       Propeller, condition and balanced ………...                                     __

4.       Propeller, installation and tightness……….                                     __    

5.       Spinner/Prop nut, Condition and tightness..                                   __

6.       Engine, Carburetor and muffler tight….… ..                                     __

7.       Engine to motor mount bolts tight……….....                                     __ 

8.       Engine motor mount to fire wall bolts tight.                                     __  

9.       Fuel lines, Installation and Condition………                                     __  

10.    Nose wheel, mount to fire wall bolts tight...                                      __  

11.    Nose wheel, strut to mount fastener tight...                                      __  

12.    Nose wheel, Wheel condition…………….....                                       __   

13.    Nose wheel, Wheel collars tight…………....                                       __ 

14.    Fuselage, condition……………………….....                                        __  

15.    Receiver Battery installation…………….....                                        __ 

16.    Receiver Battery Switch, integrity..............                                        __   

17.    Receiver installation……………………...….                                        __  

18.    Servo installation, screws tight…………....                                        __   

19.    Servo lead installation……………………....                                         __  

20.    Horizontal Stabilizer condition…………….                                         __  

21.    Vertical stabilizer condition………………..                                         __  

22.    Rudder hinges tight……………………….....                                        __   

23.    Elevator hinges tight………………………...                                        __  

24.    Rudder control linkages tight……………...                                        __  

25.    Elevator control linkages tight…………….                                        __   

26.    Wing, condition……………………………....                                         __    

27.    Aileron hinges tight………………………....                                         __    

28.    Aileron control linkages tight……………..                                         __     

29.    Wing to fuselage installation……………....                                         __    

30.    Control surface direction and throws…..                                          __    

31.    Throttle direction and throw……………....                                         __     

32.    Aircraft center of gravity…………………...                                         __     

33.    Main Landing Gear, Condition and Attachment...                           __     

34.    Main Wheels, Condition...............................                                         __     

35.    Main Wheels, Wheel Collars tight..............                                         __    

Glow fuel and what makes it NOT “glow”.

Glow fuel is made up of three key elements, Oil, Nitro methane and Methanol. Many fuel manufacturers place additives in the fuel to alleviate a number of problems common to our fuel, rust, carbon build up and other problems. Lets look at the most common problem with our fuel. Moisture and UV rays.

             The largest portion of our fuel is Methanol (alcohol) and it attracts moisture, ever look at your fuel bottle and see water drops on the inside, and Nitro methane, that is effected by the UV rays from the sun which causes a chemical reaction in the Nitro methane that causes it to break down into it’s basic chemical elements.

             When is your fuel BAD. When trying to start your engine, and the needle valve settings have not been changed, the engine refuses to start or the engine will start but idles poorly, has a lack of power or bogs down tremendously during run-up. This is an indication that it is BAD.  ( Bad dog ) ☺

             The remedy.  Keep your plastic fuel bottle full and out of direct sun light. When your plastic bottle or metal can is less than full transfer your fuel to a smaller bottle or can. You can also SQUEEZE the plastic fuel bottle forcing out as much of the air that is in the bottle, which in turn forces out the moisture in the bottle. Keep your fuel in a metal can and keep it out of direct sun light. Store your fuel in a cool, dry, and dark location. 

How do you check to see if the tip on your CA bottle is open?

 

 Do you use the "Lets put it up to my ear and squeeze" method, you can hear the glue hitting your ear drum, if it's open, or, do you use the "Lets look at the tip while squeezing" method, you can see the glue coming at your eye, if it's open.

            I prefer to use the "Lets use the back of my hand" method. What’s that you say, the back of my hand method? OK here is how you do it. Place the CA bottle in one hand with the tip facing away from you, that way if the tip is open and some glue squirts out it wont get on you, only the bird you are working on, and putting your other hand next to the CA bottle with your palm facing you and the top of your hand next to the CA bottle tip. You squeeze the CA bottle and feel the air from the CA bottle tip blow across the hairs on the top of your hand; this is one of the most sensitive areas on your body. If you squeeze the CA bottle and feel NO air then you can assume the tip is plugged.

Free and easy to use Epoxy mixing cups. 

If you ever Eat at McDonalds (Club Macs, Mickey Ds) and I'm not talking the drive through. (Eat in) Be sure to get either the Hash Browns (If you eat Breakfast) or Fries (any other time of the day). 

Because, most McDonalds have those little paper cups to squirt the Ketchup into, well, grab your self a couple extra and after a few visits you should have enough to build a plane with, but, remember you don't want to take to many. If you want or need to grab more than your couple of extra cups be sure to ask first. 

Well that's it for my tip, and remember we don't want to abuse this little treasure by taking to many at one time with out asking.

(This hint submitted by Rick Bass)

 

 

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