nitros

[squeaky pete]

how hard is it to set up a nitro?

im getting a vision 50 to play with at the end of the month, just wondered how hard they are to set up? ive never set up a nitro ever!!!! it cant be that hard can it?

[forbsy]

nitro

I learnt the easy way as i play with rc buggies and truggies thing with a heli is that if it isn't set correctly and quits whilst flying you better learn how to auto.Just my experience but factory settings of the needles will have you starting the engine fairly easily.Once primed my hyper 50 starts first time.Maybe start reading about nitro maintenance

[machasm]

Obviously the head is set up exactly the same as a leccy as is the tail etc.
Only things to watch out for with a nitro are the following.
1) Engines need to be tuned for maximum performance.
2) Gyros can need extra mounting to dampen the effects of vibration.
3) Check and re-check all screws after the first dozen flights as they have a tendancy to work loose.
4) You may need to use a little more loctite than you do with the leccys.

[squeaky pete]

what bout the overall setiing up the engine and stuff like that? i hear loads of talk for regs and stuff like that.....

[Andy from Sandy]

http://www.raptortechnique.com/

Find engine tuning under the section how-to-mechanics.

Set the engine's mixture screws as per instruction manual. This is usually a rich setting and then go from there.

You must start from a rich setting because a cold engine can be leaned out to warm up.

A sizzling hot engine that has been run lean will not cool down if you richen the mixture. You must stop the engine and let it cool down before re-starting.

An engine running lean will lose power and will also race without settling to a tickover smartly after the throttle has been closed. The exhaust note will sound harsh. It can normally be heard after doing a climb out when the load is taken off the engine by dropping the collective / closing the throttle.

A rich engine will lack power but will not lose power. You will hear gargling in the exhaust.

When an engine is tuned correctly it just sounds right. On a climb with full power the exhaust is a clean continuous sound.

In summary read Raptor Technique section on engine tuning., read manufacture's instruction manual and start rich and go lean not the other way round.

[machasm]

what bout the overall setiing up the engine and stuff like that? i hear loads of talk for regs and stuff like that.....

Yeah.
Couple of things there really.
Unlike a leccy where you have an ESC with a built-in BEC so you can run your Rx and servos straight from that.
In a nitro you need to run a regulator if running off a 2S Lipo.
This is because the voltage from the Lipo is 7.4V and as such is too high for most servos.
The regulator is used to drop the voltage to somewhere between 5V and 6V (normally programmable on the reg).
You are also going to need a glow starter.
Align do an all-in-one product that is a regulator and glow so you don't have to have a seperate glow plug.

Another thing to consider is a Governor. Although not essential, a Gov is an electronic device which measures the RPM of your engine and tries to keep it at a pre-determined speed by adjusting the throttle servo. Sort of a fly by wire type setup.

Anything else?

[squeaky pete]

whats carbsmart? something to do with the temp isnt it? and revlock keeps the rpm?

[Andy from Sandy]

For the time being I wouldn't bother with the carbsmart. Learn to tune the engine first.

Yes the revlock is an engine governor to help the engine maintain speed just like a car with cruise control.

[machasm]

whats carbsmart? something to do with the temp isnt it? and revlock keeps the rpm?

Revlock is a governor like I just mentioned.
Carbsmart is another electronic device which measures the temp of the engine and from this determines if it is running too rich or too lean.
It then adjusts the mixture needle (obviously using another servo) to compensate.
I have tried one but not had much luck since the sensors seem to be quite fragile.

[squeaky pete]

cool!!!! mite giv the carbsmart a miss, heard good thing bout revlock tho, on nitros and leccys!!!! cheers for all this peeps, leccys im fine, but nitros are new to me!!!! but want one!!! a vision 50 or 600nsp?

[zoombolt]

All the gadgets, carbsmart etc, help out but also add confusion to the 'initial' setup.
You want easy, keep it to engine tuning & regulator (explained above).
This way you learn how to set up the engine at it's best, lean/rich/just right.
Get idle (tickover) mixture correct.
You learn how the joint throttle & pitch curves give best results with the engine.
Then you can add the bolt on bits, understanding what benefit they offer & how they interact.

I'm still at the engine & regulator stage & am in no real rush for more at the mo. My flying is intermediate sport. A governor will be my next bolt on item.

[squeaky pete]

it will be fun learning to do it tho!!

[zoombolt]

it will be fun learning to do it tho!!

Fun & Frustration. In equal measures.

[squeaky pete]

thats the best bit, knowing you built it, set it up, and the dam thing flys!!!! best feeling in the world as far as im concerned

[HiltonSteve]

thats the best bit, knowing you built it, set it up, and the dam thing flys!!!! best feeling in the world as far as im concerned

Could not agree more....!

Never been in a club and completely self taught, fantastic feeling when something that you have spent hours of time and some hard earned cash is hovering in front of you.

Yes its frustrating at first and if you can get yourself past that then its does get a lot more fun, honest!