Noob questions on starting

505b400 · 03-08-2012, 08:12 PM

I am planning on getting a turbine and have a few questions about the propane/ butane used for starting. My first question is, how long does a bottle/tank last? Roughly how many starts? Also where do you generally get the mixture of gases? Also what mix ratio? Thanks for your help, I swear I searched for an hour!!

Skiddz · 03-08-2012, 09:33 PM

You can get the propane/butane mix from sporting goods stores.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CHEQ8wIwAg

You'll need a fill valve (it just snaps on top) and you'll need to hold the can upside down as you fill.

If you can still find it, the Colerman Powermax works great and lasts quite a while. (and you don't need to hold the can upside down)

I've had my turbine for almost 3 years and JUST started my 3rd can of Powermax. With the 5 cans I have on hand, I'm good for the next 5-6 years.

505b400 · 03-09-2012, 07:08 AM

Thank you very much!! Is this the coleman powermax you were talking about?
http://www.google.com/m/products/cat...ed=0CEsQ8wIwAw

cbergen · 03-09-2012, 08:59 AM

The fat, squat, green and blue can is what we currently use for starting gas. It is a 70/30 mix propane/butane and works perfect for this application. It DOES require to be turned upside down when filling the onboard tank.

I usually find it at Wal-mart for appx $5.00 and lasts for 20+ starts.

The Powermax that Skiddz is referring to is a taller, skinnier, Silver can, apparently no longer made, but they still show up on occasion. This can has a standpipe in it so does NOT require to be turned upside down.

Skiddz · 03-09-2012, 03:40 PM

This is the Powermax fuel:

There are two fillers you can use for the fuel bottle/can:

This one from RC Gear:

http://www.rcgear.com/products/PowerCap/

or this one from SinCity Jets (I'm sure there's other places to get it as Sin City's price seems ridiculously high)

http://www.sincityjets.com/accessories/DSC00609.JPG

Schulman Aviation used to have it, but I don't see it on their website anymore..

flyingrhino · 03-10-2012, 08:39 AM

Some of these things might be included in the sale of a used turbine heli.

cbdane · 03-11-2012, 07:09 PM

I have 11 hours run time (over 100 flights) on my Magnum 44 and I'm still on my first bottle of Powermax, which feels (from the sloshing) about 1/3 full. I only top up the propane tank every 2-3 visits to the field which corresponds to about 8-10 flights. I had no idea it would use so little so I'm feeling a little silly with 9 more bottles in the cupboard.

cbergen · 03-11-2012, 11:04 PM

Seems like you used quite a bit that first day, though after we talked I guess it worked better..

Lol.

cbdane · 03-12-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbergen

Seems like you used quite a bit that first day, though after we talked I guess it worked better..

Lol.

Yep, still that same bottle.

1hander · 03-13-2012, 05:30 PM

get a kero or convert to kero start and forget about the gas, you wont regret it

Skiddz · 03-15-2012, 11:31 PM

That's a viable solution IF your engine is capable of being converted. I'd love to do the conversion on my MW-54, but can't due to the combustion chamber setup...

I believe all the MW-44s available now can be converted to kero start.

03-08-2012, 08:12 PM	#1
505b400 Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: los lunas, NM	Noob questions on starting I am planning on getting a turbine and have a few questions about the propane/ butane used for starting. My first question is, how long does a bottle/tank last? Roughly how many starts? Also where do you generally get the mixture of gases? Also what mix ratio? Thanks for your help, I swear I searched for an hour!! __________________ Trex 500, Trex 450 pro Bergen Intrepid mw54 TURBINE! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-08-2012, 09:33 PM	#2
Skiddz HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: May 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA (USA)	You can get the propane/butane mix from sporting goods stores. http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CHEQ8wIwAg You'll need a fill valve (it just snaps on top) and you'll need to hold the can upside down as you fill. If you can still find it, the Colerman Powermax works great and lasts quite a while. (and you don't need to hold the can upside down) I've had my turbine for almost 3 years and JUST started my 3rd can of Powermax. With the 5 cans I have on hand, I'm good for the next 5-6 years. __________________ -Kevin No helicopters were harmed in the creation of this post. AMA CD # 7309, Turbine Waiver# RW 890 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-09-2012, 07:08 AM	#3
505b400 Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: los lunas, NM	Thank you very much!! Is this the coleman powermax you were talking about? http://www.google.com/m/products/cat...ed=0CEsQ8wIwAw __________________ Trex 500, Trex 450 pro Bergen Intrepid mw54 TURBINE! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-09-2012, 08:59 AM	#4
cbergen Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cassopolis,MI	The fat, squat, green and blue can is what we currently use for starting gas. It is a 70/30 mix propane/butane and works perfect for this application. It DOES require to be turned upside down when filling the onboard tank. I usually find it at Wal-mart for appx $5.00 and lasts for 20+ starts. The Powermax that Skiddz is referring to is a taller, skinnier, Silver can, apparently no longer made, but they still show up on occasion. This can has a standpipe in it so does NOT require to be turned upside down. __________________ Chris D. Bergen Bergen R/C Helicopters

03-09-2012, 03:40 PM	#5
Skiddz HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: May 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA (USA)	This is the Powermax fuel: There are two fillers you can use for the fuel bottle/can: This one from RC Gear: http://www.rcgear.com/products/PowerCap/ or this one from SinCity Jets (I'm sure there's other places to get it as Sin City's price seems ridiculously high) http://www.sincityjets.com/accessories/DSC00609.JPG Schulman Aviation used to have it, but I don't see it on their website anymore.. __________________ -Kevin No helicopters were harmed in the creation of this post. AMA CD # 7309, Turbine Waiver# RW 890 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-10-2012, 08:39 AM	#6
flyingrhino Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Greenwood, IN	Some of these things might be included in the sale of a used turbine heli. __________________ Bergen Tazer 800, Bergen 44 Magnum, Trex 600E, Trex 600ESP, Trex 450SE AMA 727477 Turbine Waiver RW2070

03-11-2012, 07:09 PM	#7
cbdane Registered Users Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bay Area, California, U.S.	I have 11 hours run time (over 100 flights) on my Magnum 44 and I'm still on my first bottle of Powermax, which feels (from the sloshing) about 1/3 full. I only top up the propane tank every 2-3 visits to the field which corresponds to about 8-10 flights. I had no idea it would use so little so I'm feeling a little silly with 9 more bottles in the cupboard. __________________ Have laser, will travel.

03-11-2012, 11:04 PM	#8
cbergen Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cassopolis,MI	Seems like you used quite a bit that first day, though after we talked I guess it worked better.. Lol. __________________ Chris D. Bergen Bergen R/C Helicopters

03-13-2012, 05:30 PM	#10
1hander Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Antonio Tx	get a kero or convert to kero start and forget about the gas, you wont regret it __________________ Ret Dis SSG Gonzales 5th SFG De Oppresso Liber

03-15-2012, 11:31 PM	#11
Skiddz HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: May 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA (USA)	That's a viable solution IF your engine is capable of being converted. I'd love to do the conversion on my MW-54, but can't due to the combustion chamber setup... I believe all the MW-44s available now can be converted to kero start. __________________ -Kevin No helicopters were harmed in the creation of this post. AMA CD # 7309, Turbine Waiver# RW 890 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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