What Is Nitro Fuel ?

April 25th, 2009

aquajet-in-action

Great question. Let’s take a look at what exactly this fuel is. Nitro fuel has a couple of  main components - methanol, and nitromethane. In addition, there is  oil, as well as some additives…such as anti-corrosion agents or degumming agents added by the individual fuel manufacturers. It is the methanol that provides the main energy source for the radio controlled boat engine. The nitromethane delivers oxygen to the engine, which enhances combustion and delivers more power. The oil is necessary to lubricate the engine and help to keep it cool. Although the methanol is the most plentiful component, the rating of the nitro fuel is based on the percentage of nitromethane that is used.

So, which nitro fuel is best for your RC nitro engine?

Another good question. I suggest that you start out with the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer of your rc boat. Also follow the recommended engine settings for your boat. Then, when you have gained some experience, and understand how the different nitro blends can affect your engines performance , it would be appropriate for you to start experimenting. Eventually you will find the nitro/oil mix that works best for the way you run your radio controlled boat.

Should you use nitro fuel that’s been stored for months?

That depends! Nitro fuel will become unusable if it is exposed to too much moisture and sunlight. So, how  you store your nitro fuel is more important than how long it is stored.

Given that, nitro fuel that has been properly stored is most likely safe to use regardless of how long it has been stored. Optimally, if the nitro fuel isn’t going to be used for several months, you should store it in its original container in a cool, dark, dry place. Once you have opened the container, you are creating a situation where it is much easier for moisture to get into the fuel.

It’s also a wise idea to dispose of any unused nitro fuel from your field fueling bottles if you won’t be using it within a couple of days. Don’t  return that fuel to the original container for long term storage… you may taint the whole batch!

The methanol in nitro fuel attracts moisture. Having water in your fuel can hurt a glow engine. For that reason, do not leave nitro fuel cans open any longer than it takes you to re-fuel your rc boat. Be cautious and
limit the fuels’ exposure to the air, especially if you are in a humid environment.

Keep your fuel containers tightly sealed, and store them in a dry location… not in a damp basement!

Another thing to be aware of is that the nitromethane in nitro fuel breaks down with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Once degraded, the  nitromethane will not perform the way it should. So, when you are out at the lake, keep your nitro fuel out of direct sunlight. If using a clear bottle for re-fueling, cover it, or put it under a picnic table when not in use. (I suggest that you use a container that isn’t clear!). Then remember to store your tightly sealed containers of nitro fuel in the dark, out of direct sunlight.

Handle and store your fuel properly, and you will get longer use out of it!

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Breaking In Your Nitro Engine

April 23rd, 2009

wicked-angelmedSo, you have a new nitro radio controlled boat…do you know what you need to do to break it in properly? Breaking in your nitro engine properly is absolutely critical for the long-lasting performance of your radio controlled boat.

Take the time to do this right, and you will be rewarded in the long run with less expensive up-keep on your boat. Spend a couple of hours on the details now, and you will be glad you did!

First, be prepared to run about 5 tanks of fuel through your engine.

During the first couple of tanks of fuel in your nitro rc boat, pay attention to varying and limiting your speed. Don’t run your engine past half-throttle, and don’t run it at a constant speed.

During the break-in period, deposits will build up and can foul out the glow plug. It may seem that your engine is stalling or not running properly. That’s normal. By properly following this break-in procedure, you will alleviate these symptoms. However, you should have an extra glow plug or two handy just in case you need them.

Before you get started, here are some simple steps to follow:

  • Turn on your Controller First: Turn your transmitter or controller on first, then follow that by turning on the receiver on the RC boat. Then, when you are finished running your RC boat, do this in reverse…turn the receiver off first, and then the controller. The purpose of this is to prevent your nitro RC boat from running crazy if someone close by should be running on the same frequency. It would be wise on your part to check your frequency before running your RC boat!
  • Put Your Engine in Neutral: Move the throttle into forward and reverse in order to be sure your nitro engine is in neutral, and in the idle position before releasing the throttle.
  • Check Your Steering: Simply move your steering controls gently from side to side. If the steering doesn’t seem to respond appropriately, replace the receiver’s batteries before going forward.
  • Prime Your Nitro RC Boat Engine: OK, time to roll…start up your RC boat. Pay attention to see if fuel is moving through the lines. If the fuel doesn’t reach the carburetor after 3-5 seconds, quickly place and remove your fingertip over the tip of the exhaust for a brief couple of seconds to help the engine get started. This is what is called ‘priming the engine’. Be careful when doing this, since if you allow too much fuel to go into the engine when priming it, you will flood the engine, and cause it to lock up.

In the case of the engine flooding,use your glow plug wrench to remove the glow plug. Then, place a rag over the engine head. If your rc boat is so equipped, use your electric starter to start the engine and get rid of the remaining fuel. Wipe off the head with a dry towel to remove any remaining fuel. Then, put the glow plug back in and start on the first tank of the break-in process. Basically, in order to avoid flooding, your nitro engine shouldn’t be primed for more than 1-2 seconds at a time.

Time For The Five Tank Nitro Engine Break-in

With each tank of fuel you use, you will increase the amount of fuel and the duration of throttle. So here we go…

Tank 1

Give your new engine one-quarter throttle slowly for 2 seconds…and apply the brakes. Don’t pull back on the throttle too fast, or you may cause your engine to stall.

If you see a nice trail of blue smoke coming from the exhaust, that’s great! It means that your fuel mixture is perfectly set and the engine is being lubricated. If, however, you don’t see any smoke, richen the fuel mixture by giving the air/fuel mixture needle about a quarter turn until you see smoke.

Keep running your first tank of fuel, giving it one-quarter throttle and then braking until it is almost empty. Don’t run the tank completely dry, as this will result in a burned out glow plug! This occurs because the fuel mixture is too lean…which can also lead to damage resulting from high engine temperatures.

Next, shut off your engine by pinching the fuel line to the carburetor. Let the engine cool down for about 10-15 minutes before you start on your next tank of fuel.

Tank 2
For this tank of fuel, you will go to half-throttle for 2-3 seconds.  Remember to accelerate smoothly and evenly through this entire break-in process. Keep doing this for as long as you have fuel. When this tank is done, repeat the same shut-off and cool-down steps as you did with the first tank of fuel.

Tank 3
Moving right along, with the third tank of fuel, you should run for a 3-second count at half-throttle, and then brake. By now the engine is beginning to loosen up. You may have to adjust the idle down a bit.

You will know that is necessary when your nitro RC boat won’t sit still when idling. With your tuning screwdriver, turn down the idle by turning the idle adjustment counter clockwise to reduce the idle speed. From here on out, you no longer have to let your engine cool down between tanks of fuel.

Tank 4
Now, at the fourth tank of fuel,  give your nitro RC boat full throttle for a count of 3 seconds and then brake. If your nitro RC boat has a multi-speed transmission and tries to shift into another gear, back off the throttle and then brake. When doing the 3 second count on this tank, keep in mind that you want to accelerate smoothly to avoid flipping the RC boat over!

Tank 5
This is it…for this final tank, repeatedly accelerate to full throttle in 3 seconds, hold that for 2 seconds, and then brake. That’s it…once you have completed this tank of fuel, you will have completed the break-in process.

Whew…I know it may seem tedious, but again, this process will ensure better performance at less expense to you!

Keep in mind, you still have to maintain your nitro engine after breakin it in! Your work is not done! After you complete the break-in, and then after each session with your nitro radio controlled boat, you will need to perform ‘after-run maintenance’. For your nitro engine, this will include:
* Draining the fuel tank
* Cleaning and oiling the air filter
* Adding after-burn oil

Remember this is an investment…take care of it properly, and you will be guaranteed years of fun!

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Nitro Fuel Safety

April 22nd, 2009

aqua-jetmed2

Nitro fuel (nitromethane) is highly flammable. It is important that you avoid smoking and open flames near the nitro fuel for your RC boats. When you are fueling your nitro radio controlled boats, be sure to wipe up any spills and always properly dispose of any fuel-soaked rags.

Here are a couple of tips for handling your nitro fuel:

  • When at the lake or pond it is very common to carry your fuel in a quick-fill bottle. That’s a great idea, but to make sure you don’t get your fuel mixed up with someone else’s fuel,be sure to label your fuel bottle with your name or some other identifying label. After all, they most likely will be  running a different mixture! For that matter, if you are running a couple of radio controlled boats with different fuel mixtures yourself, it’s a good idea to color-code your bottles, or name them in order to avoid using the wrong fuel in one of your boats.
  • Always, always store your nitro fuel away from open flames…such as your hot water heater or furnace. Those pilot lights could easily cause a disastrous situation.
  • Make sure that the container you are using to store your fuel is tightly capped in order to avoid evaporation.
  • On the other hand, do not store nitro fuel in a damp location, since the fuel attracts moisture, and water in the fuel will render it weak and can very well be harmful to your nitro boats’ engine.

Handling your fuel properly is serious business…pay attention to the details, and enjoy your hobby safely!

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Spring Is Finally Here…Get Your Radio Controlled Boats Ready!

April 21st, 2009

grey-thunder1

Opening Day” of radio controlled boating is upon us. It was a long winter, and we are ready for some action on the lake!

Before you rush out the door, there are a few things you absolutely must do to ensure a good first run.

  1. Make sure your boat is clean! Wipe off the dust that has collected over the off season, and give your boat a chance! Not only for looks, although we all know that is important, but for performance as well. A ‘dirty’ boat will not run as well, so clean her up!
  2. Ensure that all moving parts are properly lubed and ready to run. Give your radio controlled boat a close look, and make sure everything is in working order.
  3. If you have an electric radio controlled boat, make sure your batteries are charged…including your back up battery.
  4. If you are running on gas or nitro, make sure you have fresh fuel. If for some reason you didn’t drain your fuel at the end of the season, flush your fuel tank to make sure you are starting with clean fuel.
  5. Make sure you have all of the safety equipment on hand that you may need. Be prepared to go out on the water to retrieve a boat if necessary!

Tip: I read this recently and thought I should pass it on…excellent advice:

An experienced boat racer gives this tip…Get an electric boat,and attach a fishing string to it.Then keep the other end of the string on shore.

Run the electric boat around your dead boat and stop it. Then pull the string on the shore side in.. By doing this, you won’t put a strain on your electric boat motor, and you won’t get wet. Boat retrieved!

Enjoy this season with your radio controlled boats…it’s gonna be a good one!

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Choosing The Hull Type That Is Right For You

April 12th, 2009

aqua-jetmed1

There are so many choices you face when deciding which of the many radio controlled boats is right for your needs. One of the main things to take a close look at the type of hull each boat has.

The shape of the boats hull is a huge factor in a boats speed, its stability, as well as its maneuverability.

So what are the differences? Great question, there are several. Let’s take a closer look at the options you have when comparing the various styles of rc boats available.

First Option - The Monohull:

This design has a single continuous surface that is always in contact with the water. Not only that, monohull or monoplane hulls come in several styles! The most popular style is what is called a ‘vee-shaped’ hull.

Most sport boats have a deep-vee hull design. However, there are some racing model radio controlled boats have a shallow-vee hull design. When configured like this, there is less hull surface in contact with the water…which results in increased speed of the  boat! That’s great, but this comes with some sacrifice in the stability found in the deep-vee design.

Second Option - The Flat Bottom Boat:
As you might expect, the bottom of these boats are flat or at least very close to flat. These radio controlled boats basically ‘float’ on a cushion of air just above the surface of the water. You will find the motor on this type of boat sitting up above the body at the rear of the boat. An airplane propeller provides the thrust needed!

This flat bottom design is found in both airboats and hovercraft.


Third Option - The Hydroplane:

This unique hull design has more than one surface in contact with the water, typically two or three. The purpose of this clever hull design is to create space for trapped air underneath the boat. This helps to lift the boat up out of the water, giving it less drag (since less of the hull is touching the water). The end result of this design is boats that reach much higher speeds.

You can find this design in the 3-point hydro, the catamaran, the tunnel hull, and the outrigger. Each of these radio controlled boats is known for their high speed. The fastest of this style of boat is the outrigger…  but their speed comes at a price…they are also the most difficult to handle. Given that, you will get a better balance of speed and handling control with either the catamarans or the tunnel hulls.

Think about your skill level, and the amount of risk you want to take with your radio controlled boats when you are deciding which hull type to choose.

Good luck, and have fun!

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Electric Radio Controlled Boats - Brushed Or Brushless

March 25th, 2009

grey-thunder-in-action
The two common types of electric motors being used now in the radio controlled boats hobby are the brushed motor and the brushless motor.

Let’s take a look at these two types of electric motors and compare their features.

Here are a couple of ‘basics’ about motors in general:  All electric motors consist of magnets and coils of wire (called ‘windings’). These coils of wire moving in a magnetic field create an electric current. When there is varying current going through a coil of wire, it then moves relative to the magnetic field…in other words, it goes round and round! Enough ‘physics’!

What is a ‘Brushed Motor’ ?

Most of the electric radio controlled boats today use a brushed motor. These motors look kinda like a small metal can that has an axle sticking out of one end and battery leads on the other. Inside of that ‘can’ you will find  the commutator shaft, the armature, wires, carbon brushes, and magnets.

The way it works is that the carbon brushes press against a spinning commutator (electrical contacts on the armature) which causes friction. This contact creates an electrical circuit between the electrical source (the battery) and the armature coil-windings. Then, when voltage is applied through the battery leads to the brushes, the result is that the motor spins and gives forward and reverse motion to the radio controlled boat.

As you might imagine, this configuration causes the inevitable friction, and puts extra strain on the motor. The brushes will wear down with use, and thus need occasional replacement.

Not only that, but the windings are relatively heavy to rotate, and since they are in the middle of the setup, it is difficult to get rid of waste heat being created. The brushes also make imperfect contact with the commutator as currents and speeds increase. So, obviously there are several losses in this kind of setup. A brushed motor will usually be about 65-70% efficient.

How about the ‘Brushless Motor’ ?

The brushless motor is becoming more and more popular in the radio controlled boats hobby. One of the major features that make the brushless motor appealing is the sheer power it can give to your electric radio controlled boat. As you might guess, brushless motors do not have  brushes. Therefore, they don’t require frequent cleaning, and without the brushes there is less friction which in turn results in less heat! This is huge, since heat is the biggest killer of motor performance.

Brushless motors can handle a much higher voltage than brushed motors. With an increased voltage supply, brushless motors can really help your boat race at amazing speeds!

So, how do the brushless motors work? As opposed to a ‘brushed motor’, the brushless motor has a permanent magnet in the rotor, or shaft. There are sensors that determine the direction and speed of the magnet turning in order to produce voltage. These sensors do not touch the armature, like the carbon brushes of the brushed motor do.

Instead, there are permanent magnets that rotate, and the armature remains still. This eliminates the problem of how to transfer current to a moving armature. The brush-system/commutator assembly of the brushed motor is replaced by an electronic controller. This controller performs the same power distribution function found in a brushed motor, but instead uses a solid-state circuit in place of the commutator/brush system.

Friction is eliminated, which results in greater efficiency and a huge increase in power. A brushless motor can be up to 300% more powerful than a brushed motor. An added bonus is that you no longer have to replace the brushes!

You can see that there are definitely advantages to running with a brushless motor. The brushless motor requires a lot less maintenance and usually is  more reliable. A brushless motor can also provide more torque and more efficient power than a comparable brushed motor.

The initial cost of a brushless system will be higher, but if you consider the maintenance and other costs associated with a low turn, powerful brushed motor, this cost will very quickly justify itself.

So you have a choice to make…brushed or brushless. Think about your current needs and goals, as well as the cost involved and choose one of the radio controlled boats that is right for you. Keep in mind, your skills and goals will grow and change over time, and you can certainly add to your fleet!

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Radio Controlled Boating Blog

February 17th, 2009

wicked-angelmed

We all have crazy, busy lives! Having a hobby to spend your free time, something that can relax you is really important to your overall well being!

Not only that, but when you find a hobby that centers on something that you are passionate about,you will have the added benefit of sharing that passion with others as well. Building a social network based on something you love is a wonderful ’side benefit’ of enjoying your hobby.

One hobby that seems to be becoming more and more popular these days is the hobby of driving remote control vehicles. There are numerous types of vehicles to choose from, but it seems one of the most popular is radio controlled boats.

When you are just beginning, be assured that navigating radio controlled boats is a skill that pretty much anyone can pick up and master. There are a few different varieties of boats available, so anyone can find a ‘perfect fit’…no matter what their skill level is.

Another great thing about this exciting hobby is that you really don’t have to empty your bank account to get started. All you have to do is purchase a radio controlled boat and start driving it!

When entering the world of radio controlled boats there are two main types of boats you should consider - battery powered (electric), and gas powered. The gas version of radio controlled boats is much more powerful and quite a bit louder! However, gas radio controlled boats are a little bit more difficult to maintain and may require a bit more talent and skill to control.

That being said, I recommend that when you first get into this hobby you may want to begin with an electric boat…simply because they are easier to handle. Then, when you decide you really like this hobby (and you will!)…you can decide if you want to invest more time and money. You can certainly get another boat and try the gas version whenever you are ready!

The thing is, whether you choose the ease of electric radio controlled boats or the realistic sights and sounds of nitro radio controlled boats, you will certainly enjoy your time out on the water!

Just keep in mind which type of radio controlled boat will best meet your needs. Whatever you decide, just consider how you will be spending your time with your new hobby, and balance this with your current level of experience.

Some like to run their radio controlled boats at a local pond, while others thrive on the competition of racing. Another benefit for parents is that they can enjoy their radio controlled boats as a parent/child activity.

The great thing about this radio controlled boats hobby is that there is no “right or wrong” way to enjoy the hobby. Just do whatever makes you happy…It’s all good!

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