Fuel Questions

[scout164]

Really hate to sound so stupid, but my question is regarding heli fuel vs. truck fuel in a JR heli. I recently purchased a JR Venture 30 w o.s. engine and it has been sitting in my room completely assembled while trying to find out answers. I stopped by a LHS (not so local 40+ miles) and the person behind the counter told me to just use truck fuel as long as the oil and nitro content is tolerable. The LHS did not have helicopter fuel but did have truck fuel. I have 20% w/ 18%oil and 25% w/ 18. I guess my question is WOULD IT WORK? I heard that the castor stains but really no other downfall for a heli. If its not advised can anyone supply a website for purchase. I am really not looking to go to towerhobbies and spend the $100+ shipped (minimum case) Can it be purchased online by the quart or single gallon? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!!

p.s. local field is also 40+ miles and would like to avoid the trip without fuel

[tdswan]

Man, good question and all I can give you is specualtive knowledge on the topic myself.

I wouldn't recommend using the truck fuel, for a couple of reasons. Even when the oil content may be 18% in the truck fuel, you don't know what viscosity oil is used in the truck fuel.
Also...Nitro fuel for cars usually has less viscocity if not less oil because they do not run at full throttle for extended periods of time like helicopters and planes do. They are usually run in short bursts of acceleration.
It's really a question you should ask the manufacturer. I don't know what brand it is, but I'm sure they have an 800 number or e-mail address you could contact them by.
It's really up to you, though.

[mb323]

I agree with tdswan, most heli fuel is made with synthetic oil, this helps to keep the carbon out of the engine which reduces heat build-up.I know Hobbytown typically sells heli-fuel. Not sure if anyone online sells anything less than 4 gallon cases.

[scout164]

Not to discount hobbytown but that happened to be the LHS that i had to my disposal. I will call them tomorrow and check to see if they will order it and not have to pay an extra fee for haz mat. Thats the downfall with towerhobbies, they charge a $20 haz mat fee on top of shipping charges and then the fuel itself

[mb323]

Not to discount hobbytown but that happened to be the LHS that i had to my disposal. I will call them tomorrow and check to see if they will order it and not have to pay an extra fee for haz mat. Thats the downfall with towerhobbies, they charge a $20 haz mat fee on top of shipping charges and then the fuel itself

You could also check Horizon, they sell Morgan fuels but I belive it's also by the case. I understand MTA Hobbies has started to sell Morgan fuels, but I can't find it on their web site. Worst case, my brother does a group order with his flying buddies.

[chaos]

I donno about using truck fuel, but if you want to mix your own I found some places to get ingredients.

For methanol:
http://www.hiperfuels.com/
(click Alcohol link)

For oil and nitro:
http://www.klotzlube.com/storeCats.asp?ci=8

I'm thinking about trying my own mix:
Original Techniplate - 16%
BeNOL Racing Castor Oil - 2%
18% total oil
Nitro - 15%
Methanol - 67%

The price goes like this:
1 gal nitro ($46) @ 15% = 6.6 gal total mix
need 4.4 gal methanol ($53), 1 gal Original Techniplate ($42), 2 pints BeNOL Castor oil ($16)
$157 total, so for 6.6 gal total it's about $24/gal

The tech sheet for the "Original Techniplate" oil says:
R/C Model: 2-stroke glow engines mix at 15 -18%. They say it blends with castor oil.

What I like about it is the clean burn:
Smoke Rating: 10 1=fog; 10= no smoke
Clean Burn™: 10 1=heavy deposits; 10=no carbon
Film Strength: 7.5 1=failure; 10=virtually no wear

It's a little frail in the film strength (7.5) which is why I'm thinking of 2% castor oil... trying to help that out a bit. Their castor oil looks like this:
Smoke Rating: 4 - 5 1=fog; 10= no smoke
Clean Burn™: 5 1=heavy deposits; 10=no carbon
Film Strength: 10 1=failure; 10=virtually no wear

According to a company that makes fuel for race cars, castor oil is the best stuff going to protect the engine. But as you can see it's a bit less than clean.

[ErichF]

Next time you go to Hobbytown, don't tell them what you are flying. In fact, don't tell/ask them anything. Go to the fuel section and get a gallon of the Green Cool Power 15%. It's the same stuff whether it's labled for heli or airplane. Anytime I tell them idiots at a Hobby Town what I need something for, they always think they know better when in fact they are usually WRONG. They may know cars and trucks, but if it leaves the ground they are totally clueless.

I have yet to find a Hobby Town USA that doesn't carry the green Cool Power 15%. It's usually about $13-15 a gallon.

Erich

[Alaska Heli Guy]

I purchased some Wildcat 15 percent QUART size from Tower Hobbies $7.99 with no HAZMAT fee. But they won't ship gallons to Alaska=( just quarts.

Gary