Alcohol mix?
06-23-2004, 11:40 AM
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Alcohol mix?
I was wondering if it would work to mix nitro fuel with alcohol. I think there would be a big performance gain because alcohol contains oxygen so it would act as if there was a supercharger. Also, it has a high compression ratio, burns faster and can easily be ignited. So do you guys think alcohol could work? Well i got a pos OFNA red head on a homemade beak-in bench so i'll give it a try soon. Please post your opinions
06-23-2004, 12:23 PM
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RE: Alcohol mix?
These engines are designed to run on methanol, which is another name for methyl alcohol.
Isopropyl or ethyl alcohol won't burn the same and may cona=tain other substances, like water.
Isopropyl or ethyl alcohol won't burn the same and may cona=tain other substances, like water.
06-23-2004, 12:51 PM
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RE: Alcohol mix?
I'm talking about using pure alcohol and even if it wasn't (80-95%), i could still dry it with lime. I know that nitro fuel already has forms of alcohol in it but i'm talking about using more, sort of like an octane booster for cars. I could even run a 30% nitro fuel and 70% alcohol mix because smaller engines can tolerate high amounts of alcohol. Some people even run their lawn mowers off of pure alcohol.
06-23-2004, 01:20 PM
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RE: Alcohol mix?
Let's try this:
Adding alcohol to glow fuel (which is basically methanol, nitromethane and lubricant) won't do anything except dilute the nitromethane and the lubricant.
So, the benefit is questionable.
Adding alcohol to glow fuel (which is basically methanol, nitromethane and lubricant) won't do anything except dilute the nitromethane and the lubricant.
So, the benefit is questionable.
06-23-2004, 01:56 PM
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RE: Alcohol mix?
Nope.. bad idea 
The problem is with the air fuel ratios
Gasoline for example require a ratio of 14.7:1 to burn efficiently..
Methanol is only 6:1 and GET THIS: Nitromethane is only 1.7:1 !!!!
You know what? Someone already thought of what your thinking when they added nitromethane
With a 20% fuel, allowing for 15% oil, your looking at a 5.1:1 ratio.
Thats REALLY low compared to gasoline engines that require 14.7. Which is ANOTHER reason why superchargers and turbos will help Gas and especially diesels (couldnt find the ratio.. guess it depends on cetane rating.. if you find.. let me know!)
Means you only need 1/3rd the air with an R/C engine compared to a gasoline motor!!
Man.. I learnt something researching this
Ram
The problem is with the air fuel ratios
Gasoline for example require a ratio of 14.7:1 to burn efficiently..
Methanol is only 6:1 and GET THIS: Nitromethane is only 1.7:1 !!!!
You know what? Someone already thought of what your thinking when they added nitromethane
With a 20% fuel, allowing for 15% oil, your looking at a 5.1:1 ratio.
Thats REALLY low compared to gasoline engines that require 14.7. Which is ANOTHER reason why superchargers and turbos will help Gas and especially diesels (couldnt find the ratio.. guess it depends on cetane rating.. if you find.. let me know!)
Means you only need 1/3rd the air with an R/C engine compared to a gasoline motor!!
Man.. I learnt something researching this
Ram
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