Fuel Magnet Blues

[bkervaski]

Well, I have a new Stratus, about 10 flights. Last night I swapped my YS for a new OS91SZHPS, plumbed with no muffler pressure, vented to the atmosphere.

It ran great, albeit rich for two or three "break-in" flights today. Then suddenly I couldn't get it rich enough. After troubleshooting, it appears the fuel magnet (charcoal colored one, don't know if it's the new or old) turned to mush and was clogging up the fuel filter.

Any idea how to prevent this?

[EricLarson]

That should not have happened as long as there was no muffler gases in the tank. Even with the muffler gases it takes 1-2 months. I have been running the same foam for 6-7 months now and it wears out some, but it does not decompose. I do know they will for sure decompose when exposed to exhaust gasses. Even if you don't fly, the chemicals will eat it just sitting over time.

[bkervaski]

Hmm.. dunno.. Never used muffler pressure with YS nor the OS. It was literally just black paste. Weird. My other Stratus seems fine.

[sookainian]

hey today something happen to me also. I was flying half way ( my 10th tank ? ) suddenly i notice the engine is going lean. Then it suddenly die. But there is like 1/3 fuel left.

So after that, i saw some 'black' stuff floating inside my fuel tank. So i open it up and see and the 'sponge' become powder ( is like the sponge all in piceses and i need to pour away the fuel :arggg: )

I am using 91SZ + pump and muffler pressure.

Can the 'sponge' on the fuel megnet be change ? or do i need to buy one whole new 'fuel megnet' again ? :(

[WillJames]

You can order new filter elements for the magnet. They are really cheap. I never had one break down whithout exhaust gas in the tank, but I have blown holes in the element by cranking my hand pump to fast. Took me a while to figure that one out, and I think Clint is the one who clued me in finally.... :arggg:

[sookainian]

can i have the part number for the 'sponge' and a picture of how it looks like ? coz i am new to MA helicopters, and in my country, i am only the one flying MA helis

thanks for the fast reply :noteworthy

[WillJames]

Here is a thread that talks about it and has a link to the magnet at Rick's.

http://www.helifreak.com/about11583.html

Here is the Rick's part number for the replacement elements. I think they actually may come 3 to the package now.

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=OMIFUELMAGFOAM

[sookainian]

ic, but do MA main side carry them ? or only Rick'z heli sell them ?

I went to the site " talks about it and has a link to the magnet at Rick's. " i notice they got the OMIFUELMAG - FUEL MAGNET ( http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=OMIFUELMAG )

so i was wondering, can the OMIFUELMAGFOAM ( http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=OMIFUELMAGFOAM ) use with the orginal MA fuel magnet ?

[WillJames]

MA gets them from OMI like Rick's does. OMI is who makes and the distro for them.

[DavidH]

I am using 91SZ + pump and muffler pressure.


Using muffler pressure with the Fuel Magnet and it is not going to last very long.
The foam is now White on the ELD Fuel Magnet. The grey foam was discontinued a couple of months ago. The reason James went back to the white foam. It is more poreous and will flow fuel better.

This is the replacement foam for the fuel Magnet. Except it will be WHITE in color now.
MA does not make the fuel magnet. OMI makes the ELD Fuel Magnet. MA gets it from James at OMI to put into the kits.
http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=OMIFUELMAGFOAM

David

[bkervaski]

It's weird. Stratus 1's fuel magnet sponge is in perfect condition, Stratus 2's it turned to a mushy, pasty substance. Both have about 10 flights with YS91 + tank pressure. They were both the charcoal color. Dunno -- I'll just replace it and see what happens. I just upgraded both of those helis to OS91SZ-H PS's with no muffler pressure, vented to the atmosphere.

[sookainian]

yap, mine is the charcoal colour, not really charcoal colour, mb like dark gray

[Alfred]

I looked at their Website and it states that the filters should last up to a year if not used with muffler pressure.
But reading some of the above issues, their short lifespan seems to be a real concern.
Are these isolated cases or is there an on going trend?
I am just building mine, using a YS91.

[WillJames]

If you ever use one Alfred, you will see why all of us don't really care if some last longer than others. I personally ran them for over a year and never had any trouble whatsoever but I ran the cline setup with no muffler pressure, and I will definitely use them again if I get another glow machine.

[DavidH]

Alfred,
I would think they are isolated cases.
I have fuel magnets that have been in the models a year. I am using the Clines /OMI BB carb setup. So I am using crankcase pressure and a check valve to pressurize the tank.
With muffler pressure there is no set pattern how long the foam on the fuel magnet will last. I had one dissolve after one flight when using muffler pressure. I have also had one that lasted 3 or 4 gallons when using muffler pressure.

David

[bkervaski]

I would add that even with the issue I had with one of mine, they work so good I don't mind swapping a defective one every now and then. They suck every last drop out of your tank. Much better than a clunk system.

[sookainian]

since i am going to order the sponge from Rick's heli, i was wondering does Rick's heli have this thing look like a Vernier Caliper, but it has 2 ball link at each side where u can measure and make the 2 linkage rod equal length easily.

If yes, can send me the url for it ?

O.. yar, also does Rick's heli carry the Stratus Carbon Skids ? Do i need to change the A Frame Supports to use for the carbon skids ? what is the put number for it ?

[DavidH]

Rick's has these attachments for calipers
http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=VAR11_86

126-110 is the part number for the Stratus Caron skid kit. Yes you have to change the aluminum A frames.

David

[sookainian]

u said "Stratus Carbon Skids" " KIT " means the " KIT " will come with the new A frames for the carbon skids ?

[DavidH]

Yes it includes everything you need. Retail price is $99.95. So I am guessing it is about 90-95 USD in the hobby shops.

David

[sookainian]

Ic, Hmm does the skids make and differents compairing with the orginal white skids ?

Sorry guys that i talk about other things, coz i dont want to make to many new thread on this fourm.

[angelob]

but I have blown holes in the element by cranking my hand pump to fast.

Would an electric pump work better?

Angelo

[sookainian]

i think an electric pump will make it even worse, coz it is even faster

Kenny

[nguyen23464]

heres the thing,


ys91sr
ran great 3 flights ago, now out of no where the stratus's tail kicks hard randomly, sometimes 180.. The idle wants to run lean, rich lean, its very inconsistent in idle. While spooling up, the tail already kicks , so its in all needles.

It sounds like air causing the kicks. So I tore the thing apart and replaced delrin ball, and clutch dampners, relocated the gyro etc..... cannot get that kick to go away.

Today I was unfueling and noticed that it took forever for the fuel to drain. Pulled out the tank, and the foam was decomposed, mush. My question is, once this is replaced, will this solve the problem I am having, idle, burps. etc..
Will a bad fuel magnet cause all these issues mentioned above?


Looking for some insight, thanks.


Jamie

[Peter]

yep . it can , if the " mush" has clogged your filter and/or got into the carby too .. clean out the fuel lines as well ......