[KStation]

Any advice on what percent nitro for a new guy to be using? I've been running 5% in my trainer, os .46 la, but my next plane, 4 star 40, has a os .40 fx. Is 5% all I need? I was thinking of picking up a few jugs up in case the price goes way up.
I read the article on the RC Canada home page but I'm still not sure.

Thanks guys!

Kevin Station

[JimMcIntyre]

I fly;
25% in small engines (< .25)
10% in my sport planes (up to 60 size)
5% in larger engines (up to 1.8 )
0% (FAI fuel) in the really big stuff (2.1)
15 - 30% in helis
and then there are the gassers... My garage is a fire marshall's nightmare.

I prefer synthetic oil in helis, I'm experimenting with blends in my fixed wing aircraft.

I used to fly Omega...
tried Byron.
flew Cool Power the last 5 years.
Now I fly Wildcat and it ROCKS!

[AJCoholic]

For years I have been running 15% cool power in EVERYTHING I run (a lot of engines, from a bunch of 049's through 10, 15, 29's ---- to 40, 46 and 61 upto my 91's) and it seems to run just fine. Never ever have engine problems and 15% is the highest I would bother going in a sport engine. I also run/ran 15% coolpower in all my helis (they all had tuned exhausts) with good results.

The only glow engines I run a different fuel in is the Moki 1.8 which I run Byron FAI, and my ducted fan engine which will be run on a DF fuel mix.

Once you start using something and it works, DONT change it! Different fuels run differently. You cant go wrong with any major brand (I have used also morgan omega, byrons and some others) but I like the coolpower so I stick with it.

Andrew

[Nuker]

I started with oily byron fuels at 10% nitro and 20% oil

Now I use exclusively WildCat Premium Extra 15% (18% oil) in both the 4 strokes and 2 strokes. .15 sized LA's through a Saito .91 (and this year my new 1.80)

Been a year and no problems so far.

Bob

edit, fixed a typo

[Kevin McGrath]

Hard to disagree with any of the advice so far.
I doubt you are going to be able to tell much difference between 5% and 10% in a sport engine,but you could buy a jug of each and see what you think.
If you are just graduating from trainer engines like the LA,you probably should concentrate on steady non lean runs,starting drills for reliable use,setting up a reliable idle and smooth transition,plug choice etc than worrying too much about maximum power at this stage IMO..Good luck and enjoy.....

[recon]

Ive always used XP 10%. Im only running .25 through .47 though.

[Fodder]

Wildcat Premium 15% a noticed improvement on the .15 engines.

[JimMoss]

I've been running Byron 10% Original Formula (16% oil I think) found the 20% oil to gummy and messy like Nuker stated.

I run it in everything .15's to 1.50's and my Helis.

Have tried others as they came available but always end up back at Byron.

Jim Moss

[ronm]

I have been mixing my own fuel for the past few years. There are many successful formulas, depending on the size and type of engine, but here is a basic guideline:
Most sport engines will run well on a fuel that has 16 to 20% oil. I find a blend of synthetic and castor the best. Around 70 to 80% of the oil should be synthetic, and the rest castor. For nitro, 5 to 15% will work fine.
If your engine seems to be bogged down with oil, (smokes and slobbers), reduce the oil, or decrease the castor component.
In cold weather, use the higher range of nitro.
For hard starting or poor idling engines, sometimes less oil and more nitro will help.
Newer engines should be run on the higher oil fuel, with more castor. Engines smaller than about .30 will sometimes benefit from more nitro. Engines larger than 1.20 (2 stroke) seem to run better with less nitro.
The big Saito four-strokes apparently like more oil and nitro. (expensive fuel)
The Super Tigre 2000, 3000, 3250, and 4500 like 10 to 12% oil, (all castor is good) and little or no nitro. (cheap fuel)
The Moki 1.8 and 2.1 like 16 to 18% oil and no nitro.
It takes a lot of change in nitro to make a little difference.
The oil % is a lot more critical.

Reading these guidelines will help you gain the knowledge you need to select your fuel, even if you buy it off the shelf instead of mixing.

I hope this helps. If anyone disagrees, feel free to post your thoughts!

Ronm

[JimMoss]

Ronm .... What the heck are you talking about?

Just kidding, some excellent info.

Thanks

Jim Moss