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Re: Power source

I'm not an engineer, but was a mechanic for the Navy.  Still I may be off on some of my comments below.

Did the engine you get have a muffler?  The ones I saw 'new' on net all had mufflers.

I don't think it is that easy to swap fuels.  Esp from liquid/air mix gravity fed device to a pressurized gas system.  Many factors
such as compression, chamber geometry, piston head design, etc impact what fuels will actually burn.   Most military vehicles can
run on any hydrocarbon for a limited time.  But the engines are overbuilt and specifically engineered for this ability.  Even then
it trashes the engine parts, dirties it up, in no time flat.

Also, this little engine, like lawnmowers uses fuel and oil mix for lubrication, it probably can't have a seperate 'just oil'
lubrication system.

I wonder what the ignition system is?  I doubt it has a sparkplug/coil  ignition system.  Diesels spontanously combust due to
pressure and heat.  I did not think that was possible with gas.  After doing some research it does seem that these engines are like
diesels since many talk about glow plugs (needed to heat the combustion chamber to start the 'spontanous' ignition.
Hmmmm, want to find one and rip it apart now.

BTW I think this idea rocks if only to supply power for long wilderness trips.  Something I've always wanted a wearable/video system
on but did not want all the bateries.

some info from google search model airplane engines

http://bigwig.geology.indiana.edu/iskandar/models.html towards bottom is link to many manufactuers/imports of engines. A call to
them would answer many questions.  Also I saw a manufactuer of diesel engines! could be quieter than gas. but heavier too :(

about speed racing regulations
"fuel consisting of 80% methanol and 20% castor oil"

lots of engines and tour of factory
http://www.mecoa.com/showroom.htm

A rotory engine http://www.mecoa.com/hp/wr.htm. That is too cool its sort of on the big size 19cm, though. still Wankel? was da man.

specs for one .15 engine (i'm guessing that is .15 cubic inches)
Engine Weight: 6.3 oz
Muffler Weight: 1.9 oz
Power: .41hp @17,000rpm
Prop Size: 7x5 -- 8x4
cost is $60

BTW how did life exist before Inet and google?

----- Original Message -----
From: Charles J Knight <>
To: <>
Cc: <>; <>
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2001 11:05 PM
Subject: Re: Power source

> > > (OK,
> > > so it may or may not be practical...it's clever!)
>
> > I'm sure a model airplane engine attached to a small generator would
> > produce much more power than a battery of the same weight. The only
>
> I had a feeling that it would.  Just a weird little thought.  Like I
> said,
> it may or may not be practical.
>
> > problems I can think of are related to the idea of carrying around a
> > running internal combustion engine.
>
> I already had those thoughts -- in addition to the noise, there is the
> exhaust, the potential danger of carrying around a flammable fuel
> source, and a few others.  But, if you take a look at a lot of battery
> technologies, they don't inspire confidence either.
>
> But, as an off the cuff idea, it might  be workable.
>
> > But you'd probably be one of the few people who could jump start a
> > car with what they're wearing.
>
> That much power?  That would surprise me!
>
> > But it could have it's uses as a small, self-contained, muffled(!)
> > (those motors sound like angry mosquitos piped through Marshall amps)
>
> I haven't even tried to start the thing yet...just a little purchase that
> I got at a flea market.
>
> > emergency power source for outdoor use or in case of extreme
> > power load from large peripherals (like flash tubes).
> > If the whole thing is appropriately built into a tiny aluminum alloy
> > box, tank and all, it could in fact produce large amounts of power.
>
> Any ideas as to the amount of power?  I know that it will run as long
> as there is a source of fuel, so it's not a simple matter of watt-hours.
>
> > The main problem that cannot be bypassed though, is the outdoors-only
> > nature of the gazoline-oil exhaust...unless you alter the engine to run
> on pure
> > hydrogen or to burn other hydrcarbons (butane, natural gas, etc...)
> > *perfectly*...thus producing only CO2 and H2O.
>
> It should be possible to run it on vapors from almost any
> petrochemical, including gasoline...
>
> But a truly clean burn is practically impossible without rather
> significant control of the burn ratio, which in a retrofit will reduce
> its output tremendously.
>
> Alternatives?
>
> > ...hmmm...how hard would it be to convert to butane?
> > It's real cheap and available in good-sized containers for refilling
> > lighters...
>
> As I understand it, conversion of an ICE (any ICE) requires only
> a means by which the fuel can be introduced...new carburetor,
> and a means to adjust the fuel-air mix.  Occasionally the timing
> needs to be adjusted.  I haven't taken a close enough look at this
> thing yet, to even FIND the carburetor.
>
> Butane is vapor at operating temperatures, right?
>
> Thinking about it, in this engine, I believe it uses a fuel-oil
> mix for lubrication.  I wonder if a simple conversion is possible
> with a system like this?  With separate fuel and oil it seems
> simple...
>
>      -- Chuck Knight
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