How to store my heli short/long term

[muscleflex]

Hi all, being new to nitros, I need to ask some questions.
I have just acquired a nitro scale heli. I doubt I'll be flying this often...

So... I have been reading lots regarding how to store them.
Some people say they store theirs with an empty fuel tank.
Some people store theirs with the tanks filled half
Some people store theirs with the tanks filled!

So... which is which?
i'm running optifuel 20 if that helps

At the moment I'd like to run it lots.. well, I've not flown it yet... but once I get the setup (beastx) done, I'll try and fly it every weekend if I can as it's a new toy. But at the end of the Summer, I'm sure this won't get flown again until next year.. or maybe once a month (doubtful)

[horneteer]

I suggest tank full to keep the seals tight and supple.

Also if you can be bothered it may be worth the hassle of protecting the rear bearing by dousing it in a fully synthetic after run oil. This after every session if the back-plate is easily accessible.

[atomiccomp]

I fly a trex 700 and usually put about 10-12 gallons through it every year.
I store the model empty and on the last flight of the day I use the fuel shut off to kill the engine. I don't bother with after run oil and change the bearings every year or when they get noisy with the bearings rcbearings.co.uk sell for £10 delivered. I have tried after run in the past however it doesn't seem to make any difference they are always goosed by the time I give them a yearly change.

[electricsceadu]

charge
use
empty furl tank
store on shelf
charge
use
empty fuel tank
store on shelf


you get the picture
if used regular there's no need to worry about how you leave the model fuel wise
long term storage drain the tank and squirt a few drops of oil on the rear bearing

[dw45]

I found if pressurising the tank from the exhaust the clunk line rots quickly if the tank is left empty.

[hedge]

Lol how many answers....

If you use a fuel magnet then keep it full.
As said above the rubber bung on the fuel tank will shrink if left out of fuel for any length of time I have no exact time period but a month would do it.
Lastly - again as said- always push out exhaust gases by refilling the tank then see above

[muscleflex]

Thanks... I don't understand this... what exhaust gases/fumes? Do you guys mean the smoke?

Lol how many answers....

If you use a fuel magnet then keep it full.
As said above the rubber bung on the fuel tank will shrink if left out of fuel for any length of time I have no exact time period but a month would do it.
Lastly - again as said- always push out exhaust gases by refilling the tank then see above

[hedge]

Thanks... I don't understand this... what exhaust gases/fumes? Do you guys mean the smoke?

There are 2 ways to get pressure in the tank, muffler pressure and backplate pressure with a regulator. Muffler pressure has fuel pipe attached to the muffler or manifold and feeds back into the fuel tank. Because it's coming off the muffler the air is toxic fumes and these rot both the fuel line (clunck) and if you use them the fuel magnet.

backplate pressure is clean air and so does not cause these issues.

[muscleflex]

There are 2 ways to get pressure in the tank, muffler pressure and backplate pressure with a regulator. Muffler pressure has fuel pipe attached to the muffler or manifold and feeds back into the fuel tank. Because it's coming off the muffler the air is toxic fumes and these rot both the fuel line (clunck) and if you use them the fuel magnet.

backplate pressure is clean air and so does not cause these issues.

Oh I see - so refilling the tank gets rid of this fume? Can I use the fuel that's in the tank for next time I go out flying or will I have to dump that and put fresh fuel in?

[dw45]

you use the fuel as it will be clean. you just need to fill it over the bung/ clunk line.

[muscleflex]

you use the fuel as it will be clean. you just need to fill it over the bung/ clunk line.

Did you mean I don't even need to fill up the tank? Just fill it up to above the clunk?

By the way I'm not running a clunk magnet

[dw45]

best to fill it to cover the clunk line and the bung on the tank. saves the clunk tube from rotting and the rubber bung drying out.

I used to work away on 4 week rota, if I left the tank empty the clunk line had to be replaced as it deteriorated at the nipple of the clunk.

[muscleflex]

best to fill it to cover the clunk line and the bung on the tank. saves the clunk tube from rotting and the rubber bung drying out.

I used to work away on 4 week rota, if I left the tank empty the clunk line had to be replaced as it deteriorated at the nipple of the clunk.

Oh Now I see! Thanks. Apologies - I thought bung and clunk were the same!
I'll leave it filled then.