Wildcat Fuels
Senior Heliman
Location: Lexington, Ky
| ResponsesHere are the answers to the posted questions:
I will, as I said before, answer only question in regard to Wildcat products. I am not here to bash anyones elses products simply to answer direct questions about Wildcat Heli-mix. Steve you asked a very straight forward question and here is your answer: (from our web site) I will add a few comments at the end....
Less Smoke/More Power/Superior Mid-Range - For years heli pilots associated good lubrication with large amounts of smoke, this is simply not correct. Oils used in R/C fuels can be of different viscosities (different thicknesses or weights) some fuels use large volumes of less viscous (thinner) oil with the idea that since the oil is thinner the engine will be able to accelerate quicker and the greater volume will make up for the reduced protection that the less viscous oil provides. In a few respects this is true, but the penalties outweigh the benefits. By using the less viscous oil a much greater volume is required for lubrication, this in turn reduces the amount of burnable fuel available (the oil does not burn) and thereby reduces power. Usually the result is the pilot over leaning the engine trying to extract the power. The larger volume of oil also produces excessive smoke (carbon) during combustion. WILDCAT uses a more viscous oil at 18% volume. This oil better protects the piston with a stronger shear strength and load carrying capacity lubricant. It also provides for a better seal between the piston and the sleeve, this in turn allows for higher compression due to the reduced blow-by ie.. more power. Because we use a more viscous grade of oil we can use the 18% volume, this allows more methanol and nitromethane (fuel) for the combustion process ie... more power. By using a higher viscosity oil we can use the recommended amount that meets and exceeds most warranty requirements including the popular OS heli engines. Using a more viscous grade of oil also provides for our next benefit, better heat removal. In straight forward engineering terms the greater the viscosity the higher the heat capacitance. In english, the thicker the substance the more heat it will absorb in a given amount of time. The higher viscosity oil can simply carry away more heat from the engine. Once again, this provides for a cooler running engine that will make more power and transition better.
Additional comments: Steve/Ricardo we research our fuels very carefully and use test equipment to monitor engine performane, this can be done in a variety of way which include infrared heat detectors or imbeded thermalcouples. We also take data from a number of pilots that fly our fuels, such as Gordie Meade, which has been very helpful with his extensive knowledge of engines. As for his results they are on this thread, and yes, he did see lower temps and more power.
MitchD - You might want to get a hold of John Steele the last report I had from him was that he had over 146 Gallons thru his YS 61 with no appreciable wear and no bearing changes. He lives in Louisville, Ky. and if you contact me off the forum I will see if I can get you his number.
Darkstar - Our attitude is not self righteous, simply consistant. We have always maintained that sponsorships drive up fuel prices, they do, that fact goes without saying. Now, if Wildcat changes our position, just to get market share..which we are getting anyway..., then that would be wrong. I know in todays society the idea of integrity seems odd and so you call me self righteous, I call it honesty and some people still have some. A company that will do anything or say anything to get your buisness is typical today, so if you think us odd or out of place than I take that as a great compliment, it is what I am striving for in the first place. By the way, our buisness is more than about making money it is about quality and service. If all I cared about was money then, first, I sure wouldn't be in the R/C fuel buisness, and second, I would have kept my position as a fuel expert designing systems for Toyota, Nissan, DOD, and the USAF. I could have retired by now.
Heli-Gal - Wildcat makes Cox fuel and it is still out there in the local hobby shops.
Steve/Dragon2115 - Wildcat fuel prices from the distributors are MUCH lower than our competitors prices, some hobby shops mark our fuels up to get the bigger bucks and I can't stop that, but what the dealers pay for our fuels is significantly less.
SoCalDoug - That's really funny, can I borrow that one?
General - Since when is a serious discussion about products a peeing contest. You are asking valid questions about products you spend your money on, you deserve simple straight to the point answers, I hope I am providing them for our products. |
