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Username Post: Heli-Tips: Fuel & Systems        (Topic#7092)
Staff 
Senior Member
Posts: 1510
Staff
Loc: Roanoke Va USA
Reg: 03-05-00

04-22-02 01:30 AM - Post#7092    

Place your "Fuel & Systems Tips" on this thread!

 
REMDREAM 
Senior Member
Posts: 138

Reg: 11-07-00

04-22-02 08:21 AM - Post#7125    
    In response to Staff

For the occasional lean run causing a burnt smell issuing from the exhaust muffler/pipe,i've found you can get rid of this smell and also restore the shine to the muffler/pipe if you boil it in biodegradable washing powder in a cooking pot for 30-45 mins.Full heat first, then simmer.Make sure you use an old pot ,about to be thrown away!Thanks for reading.

 
Heli_Driver 
Senior Member
Posts: 518
Heli_Driver
Loc: Arlington, TX USA
Reg: 10-26-01

04-22-02 02:53 PM - Post#7139    
    In response to Staff

Never fill your helicopter fuel tank through the filter. You will only blow the crud the filter caught back into the tanks only to re-collect. I always fuel mine behind the filter.

Check your clunk lines (main and header) for softening and clean your filters regularly.

If you are running a non YS engine,(ie: one that uses muffler pressure) remember that the pressure line from the pipe can and will inject small exhaust particles into your fuels system which can clog a filter.
Raymond


 
nsacco 
Senior Member
Posts: 453
nsacco
Loc: Raleigh, NC, USA
Reg: 01-10-01

04-22-02 06:55 PM - Post#7155    
    In response to Heli_Driver

Amen to that Raptor driver. Perhaps a filter on the exhaust pressure line would help. Interesting I wonder if anyone has tried that
Happy Flying! It's not how much it costs, it's how much you can afford!


 
ScuDunR 
Senior Member
Posts: 295

Loc: Cumberland ME
Reg: 11-01-00

04-22-02 08:22 PM - Post#7166    
    In response to nsacco

I run a filter on my exhaust line, works very well
dont eat the neon green and pink snow


 
volare 
Member
Posts: 66

Loc: Cincinnati
Reg: 01-04-02

04-22-02 08:24 PM - Post#7167    
    In response to Staff

If your fuel has a tendency to foam within the tank, it is likely because of engine vibration. You can mount it with a thin piece of foam to help reduce the foaming. Mounting the tank with a small piece of foam will also prevent chaffing on some models.

 
Heli-Nut50 
Member
Posts: 45

Loc: Valemount, BC, Canada
Reg: 03-15-02

04-23-02 12:43 AM - Post#7180    
    In response to Staff

SAVE FUEL That presious liquid fun. Use a small plastic bottle fitted with a nipple for a fuel line to connect to. When refueling your model disconnect the muffler line and connect it to the little plastic bottle, now refuel as you normally would. When the tank is full it just flows into the little bottle to be reused in the model later. This aslo prevents that accidental engine flooding because the fuel is collected in the bottle instead of the muffler.

Fly Hard!

 
Madmax 
Senior Member
Posts: 107
Madmax
Loc: Grundy,VA
Reg: 12-30-01

04-23-02 12:43 PM - Post#7200    
    In response to Staff

Always keep a check on the fuel line in the tanks.
if you use 30% the line will tend to get soft and will cause problems later.
If you own a R30 ARF it comes with small line in the tank so after about 3 or 6 months replace it.I had to replace mine in my R30 after 2gals of 30%.
Kermit Blankenship
Raptor 30V2


 
Doug 
Senior Member
Posts: 823
Doug
Loc: Naples Fl. USA
Reg: 11-17-00

04-23-02 01:29 PM - Post#7206    
    In response to Madmax

It's not the fuel that "eats" the clunk line, it's the exhaust byproducts (formaldehyde, nitric acid). After flying remove the line from the carb and spin the engine for about 10 sec with WOT, then refuel the tanks to full this will purge the fuel tank. Motor again to clear the muffler and then de-fuel, your clunk line will last a long time.

 
RW-1 
Senior Member
Posts: 853
RW-1
Loc: Sunrise, FL. U.S.A.
Reg: 01-18-01

04-23-02 05:45 PM - Post#7214    
    In response to Staff

Going along with fueling, you cna never have enough filters, I have the one on the heli, but you can also place a few on your fueling bottle/tank/whatever. I have one before the fuel pump, and one after, it may be overkill, but you never know ...
Marc


 
Micro Rotors 
New Member
Posts: 20
Micro Rotors
Loc: So. Cal USA
Reg: 04-06-02

04-24-02 01:42 AM - Post#7222    
    In response to RW-1

Some times when you think you engine just wont run right or it wont stay tuned, Check your fuel lines for any cracks at were they connect to the fittings. Also check the seams of your fuel tank, sometimes they weaken from the vibration.

Bill
Thanks Bill microrotors.com


 
volare 
Member
Posts: 66

Loc: Cincinnati
Reg: 01-04-02

04-25-02 12:24 AM - Post#7258    
    In response to Staff

If you are doing or thinking of doing any aerobatics, it is important to make sure your fuel line within the tank will reach to all of the corners. It's not pleasant having your engine quit at any time, but it's even worse if you're inverted while it happens.

If your line doesn't reach the corners, one thing you can do is adjust the length. If that isn't the problem you can find a more flexible fuel line or a heavier clunk. Before buying another clunk, you could add weight to the one you have by slipping a washer or nut over it.

Along these lines, make sure your fuel lines are always in good shape and make sure they won't slip off the nipples by using zip-ties or clamps to hold them secure.


 
Scotty740 
Senior Member
Posts: 240

Loc: Nashport, Oh USA
Reg: 01-29-01

04-25-02 11:26 PM - Post#7306    
    In response to volare

If you have a fuel foaming problem put about 3 drops of Armorall per gallon of fuel. It makes all the difference in the world. Don't over do it, 3 or 4 drops is all it takes.
Scott Stickle IRCHA # 1660 There is a very fine line between Hobby and Mental Illness


 
Tom Berg 
Senior Member
Posts: 307

Loc: Clovis, California
Reg: 03-13-00

05-07-02 11:59 PM - Post#7666    
    In response to Staff

Remember to store those plastic fuel jugs in a place safe from children and have some type of "catch" incase you get a leak.

I keep all my fuel in a cheap aluminum pan on the shelf. I had a bottle crack one time (?change in temp/pressure) and it soaked the shelf, wall, carpet, etc. Now I keep the fuel in pan and do not worry about it leaking.

Blue Skies

 
Anonymous 


05-17-02 07:25 PM - Post#7995    
    In response to Staff

Fuel foaming?
Fuel foaming can be caused by many different reasons. I have found the culprit behind fuel foaming, usually lies in some form of vibration from moving parts. Always make sure that all rotating parts (i.e. fan, clutch shoes & clutch bell, main rotor head & blades,tail rotor blades and hub) are balanced properly. If your helo has been built this way give yourself a pat on the back!. If you need help in getting your helo balanced, talk with other flyers in the area if possible. Another area to check is your engine head speed? Quite possibly you may need to lower it by your engine throttle curves if using a computer radio. Also try using a fuel that has anti-foaming agents. By researching the problem this way, you'll become proficient at solving problems faster. Happy flying !!

 
n0irw 
Member
Posts: 46

Loc: Ardmore, OK
Reg: 08-22-02

09-12-02 07:41 PM - Post#10092    
    In response to Staff

I found a great heli flight box. The Plano 737 tackle box...It has a big tray type top compartment and an adjacent spinner bait compartment that will hold a 12 volt gel cell with a power panel mounted in the top cover. There are also 3 sucessively larger trays in the front. Then there 3 small seperate pullout parts boxes also on the front. I gave $29.95 at Wal-Mart. Great box, great price, and fuel proof to boot!

Kevin O'Dell

 
SpinCycl 
Senior Member
Posts: 279
SpinCycl
Loc: Marietta, GA
Reg: 12-16-02

12-23-02 05:03 AM - Post#13086    
    In response to Staff

I like insurance, so I put small wire ties on the lines and nipples on everywhere a line goes. The fueling connections I don't include, so I make sure the fit is snug. The YS engines produce a lot of pressure, so these hose clamps can save you some headache. Also, I have noticed that certain brands of tubing fit more tightly on fittings than others, so I try to use that brand wherever possible.

If you have a big heavy fuel filter, it just bangs around. But, KSJ makes a neat little clip that holds the filter in place. It just mounts to anyplace with any screw. I just use an existing screw in the area of the fuel system.

Flying: XL STE (ccpm), Fury Extreme Flying At: CCRC, Marietta, GA


 
- Dave - 
Member
Posts: 80
- Dave -
Loc: CA, USA
Reg: 09-30-03

10-10-03 10:55 PM - Post#27946    
    In response to SpinCycl

Another nifty way to keep your fuel lines from slipping off is to slip a short length (about 1/8" to 1/4") of tubing around the outside end of your fuel lines. This technique makes the lines fit real snug and it's cheap to do.

Dave
May your landings equal your number of takeoffs http://pacer.calpoly.edu/tri/pacer/divad.html


 
site dude 
Member
Posts: 69
site dude
Loc: Northern Utah
Reg: 08-05-02

09-20-04 12:12 AM - Post#51046    
    In response to - Dave -

There was a tip about using 2 drops of armor all to reduce foaming.
I have done this and it does work well. However, it will dramaticly shorten the life of your glow plug. Many fuel companys used a similar approach called "anti foam agent" and many have stopped adding this because of how hard it is on glow plugs.
I will try to dig up the article for you.
By the way.. I some times still use the armor all trick myself in some extreme cases.

K-bye

WN

 
reddragon 
Full Time Senior Member
Posts: 3870
reddragon
Loc: Brooklyn, NY
Reg: 01-22-03

09-21-04 12:28 AM - Post#51105    
    In response to site dude

I have read some articles on the Armor-all tip. You are quite right, if I remember correctly the silicone in the Armor-all actually bonds to the glow plug element and eventually completely covers the element thereby shortening the glow plug life. I do believe that most if not all manufacturers have sufficient anti-foaming agents in their fuels that would make putting Armor-all in our fuels a thing of the past. Besides...who really wants to set themselves up for an unexpected flame-out and a scary auto rotation?
-Wayne
Fly it like you stole it!


 
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