various alternative fuels

Anything you like!
bluejets
Posts: 316
Joined: 19 Jun 2019, 04:09

various alternative fuels

Post by bluejets »

Site with many engine tests, some with variety of r/c model diesel fuels and the outcomes.
Don't know about other places, but here in Aus, getting hold of ether in small quantities is almost impossible.
A couple of enquiries have replied saying they have a "club purchase" for certain events which is fine for them but not much help to me.


https://www.youtube.com/user/hopeso/videos
Stewart
Posts: 37
Joined: 17 Feb 2018, 04:57

Re: various alternative fuels

Post by Stewart »

Easiest way to get small amounts of ether , is John Deer starting fluid , it comes in 7oz pressure pack cans. The contents are 80% ether and the remaining is butane as propellant-(may also have upto %5 lubricant)
To use- 1/place can in freezer to chill contents, 2/then without shakeing contents invert can and spray out the gas 3/ let can rest to come to room temp 4/ invert and spray out remainng gas ( the double degassing loses less ether) 5/ turn can upside down and cut off base with can opener and pour out your ether (now 95-100% ether) -use ether as normal in your fuel mix.
re those alternative fuels - yes you can run most diesels on little or no ether - but its very hard on conrods as higher compression is needed fire the kero( or alternate fuel)
User avatar
iflylilplanes
Posts: 182
Joined: 13 Mar 2018, 03:26
Location: Sydney Australia
Contact:

Re: various alternative fuels

Post by iflylilplanes »

Have a look at the article ETHER-LESS DIESEL FUELS in this news letter......

http://www.modelflyingnz.org/sigs/Vinta ... %20160.pdf

Brian Winch AKA: "The Wizard Of OZ" did a lot of research into ether alternatives.

I may try number 2 myself when my $40 1 litre can of diesel runs out.

Cheers,

Dave
Cheers,

Dave
User avatar
Greenwichbiker
Posts: 4
Joined: 05 Jul 2020, 00:01

Re: various alternative fuels

Post by Greenwichbiker »

ChemSupply can supply 500 mil of diethyl ether

https://www.chemsupply.com.au/

If that's any help?
bluejets
Posts: 316
Joined: 19 Jun 2019, 04:09

Re: various alternative fuels

Post by bluejets »

https://www.chemsupply.com.au/search?Pr ... yl%20ether

Any idea which one.......sadly have no chemists in the family. :D :D
Martin
Posts: 744
Joined: 16 Feb 2018, 14:11
Location: Warwickshire

Re: various alternative fuels

Post by Martin »

I think any diethyl ether will be fine for fuel - you don't need medical-grade or laboratory-grade stuff. The stuff for sale on that site looks far too expensive to me - unless I'm looking in the wrong place. This one is $356.90 per litre, even though it's a "clearance item", and this one is a slightly more reasonable $136.00 for 4 litres (again, "expired stock clearance").

I think the engine starting fluid - which is mostly ether - is the way to go if you can't find a local chemical supplies place that will sell you ether at a reasonable price.

Nowadays I just buy the ready mixed D2000 model diesel fuel. It's £28.65 for half a gallon from Model Technics, and has the hard-to-obtain ignition improver already added. They even publish their mix formula: http://www.modeltechnics.com/diesel.htm
User avatar
Greenwichbiker
Posts: 4
Joined: 05 Jul 2020, 00:01

Re: various alternative fuels

Post by Greenwichbiker »

I went for the 4L of expired stock, should last a fair time.
However, I'm definitely going to try the "Shellite" trick as mentioned above, that is readily available in Bunnings :)
jackdaw
Posts: 165
Joined: 16 Feb 2018, 20:30
Location: Wet and Windy North Wales

Re: various alternative fuels

Post by jackdaw »

For those of us that don't know, what is 'SHELLITE'?
User avatar
Greenwichbiker
Posts: 4
Joined: 05 Jul 2020, 00:01

Re: various alternative fuels

Post by Greenwichbiker »

Shellite is a hydrocarbon solvent, similar to white spirit, used for cleaning and as a fuel (similar to lighter fluid)
ETA - actually it IS lighter fluid, aka Colemans fuel or naphtha 8-)
bluejets
Posts: 316
Joined: 19 Jun 2019, 04:09

Re: various alternative fuels

Post by bluejets »

jackdaw wrote: 10 Jul 2020, 11:29 For those of us that don't know, what is 'SHELLITE'?
Guess you have to be an Aussie,,,... :D :D

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphtha
Post Reply