Any ideas for sources of Diesel fuel?

Thanks, Bob Z.

Bob,
Great to have a partner in crime that likes diesel. What engine are you running? If fixed compression (i.e. Drone Diesel) you run different fuel then more current engines. For fixed compression the fuel is 75% ether/25% 25 SAE mineral oil (you need this to calm down the ether to prevent detonation), no kero or ignition improver. the best source for high ether starter fluid is John Deer SF.

For engines with VC heads you can use a mix of 35% ether, 25% oil, 2% cetane improver with the balance kero. Dr. Diesel fuel will work great or you can mix some starter fluid fuel. For this you can use any starter fluid that is high in ether. Simple way to tell is look at the list of components, if the ether is listed first it has more that 50%, heptane is the balance and pretty much just like kero. Just figure oil to be 25%, then the rest is the starter fluid. Since there is no kerosene you need to use 70/30 25 SAE mineral oil/castor (the mineral oil calms the ether down to prevent detonation).

To get the ether out of the can you can by first inverting the can and spraying out the propellant, put the can in the freezer for half hour then respray out any remaining propellant. Then take an ice pick and push it through the top of the can in a couple times with one on the opposite side as a vent. Pour out the liquid and you are good to go.

If running a Drone there are some simple tricks to get it to run with power and smooth. First is to get the right prop. The original prop from Drone was an 11x10 war club, some use 12x8's. The Drone run at a blazing 6700 rpm (I think this hold even for a shaft run). Next understand that needling the Drone is reverse or what you would think. The manufactures instruction says to OPEN the needle to smooth the run. They actually say to open it until it quits then close 1/4 turn in and fly. I have one in a Guided Whistle and use a uniflow tank with no problem.

If running a modern diesel they run high rpm, Dr Diesel site (http://www.cafes.net/doctordiesel/) has a lot of information on running PAW's (just remember to use either bare maple mounts or if hard mounts put 1/32" plywood crush pads under the mounts lugs). If you want to go burry eyes about diesel here is the website for you http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/everything-diesel-87/

Best,   DennisT

 Bob,
What engine are you running and what plane?

Best,  DennisT

Forgot about Aerodyne .I used it in Portugal in a nelson 15 and a PAW 09 it ran very good, very consistent Rad

Bob,
I think that diesel is the "ultimate" electric. My only problem is with the residual fuel smell (not the raw ether). I think this is from the Kero. I am trying to find a fuel mix that doesn't have that diesel bus smell that get into the clothes and car. That is why I have been working to see if just the ether/oil mix will work from the starter fluid. The hard core diesel guys seem to say "if it doesn't smell like a bus it an't diesel so they haven't tried anything with less residual aromatics. Some have tried adding scent to the fuel but that just makes you smell like flowers just as bad as the kero (maybe worst).

The other plus is that in OTS you get a 5 point bonus for diesel which then allows you to use a flapped ship ( this off sets the no flap 5 point bonus) so you are at a neutral score. Could fly some interesting ships this way. I have flown the PAW 2.5cc in competition at KOI and place with my Ringmaster. I didn't have the overrun problem that some have had. I really like the Drone 29 diesel. I want to get it working for this falls Palmetto contest if I can, just need some time to test and get the right fuel.


Best,   DennisT

Hi, Dennis.
A friend of mine runs his VW Diesel on home heating oil and it runs quite well.
I don't know if the energy values are similar but it might be worth a try.

Bob Z.

Said to be same stuff as they sell at gas stations, except for a different dye color. Highly illegal, and if caught the fine for your friend will be significant. $10k seems to stick in my mind. The home heating oil will work fine for compression ignition model engines, but I doubt if there will be a difference in the scent. Lamp oil might be an alternative that doesn't smell nearly as bad, but it would take some research to find out if there's a loss of power or economy.  Steve

Sunny side  K1 is the best of the store bought Kero if u can find it. gas station Ksro works good if u can find that  .lamp oils have extra stuff added to it