petrol strimmer engine for rc plane

spadder

I was done in my local recycling centre on sat, I caught a guy dumping two petrol strimmers, I ask him do they work , he said the engine works but the strimmer bit is knackered.

I took them home and stripped the engines out, one is a 32cc Ryobi and the other is a 26cc (no sure what brand) both good runners. I had a look at various sites for using these in RC planes.

The 26cc has an 8mm threaded shaft but it is too short to get a prop on. I was looking for recommendations for someone with a lathe that could turn me a prop extension?

I’ll post some pics when I get a chance. I have a plane in mind for the 26cc.

It pays to recycle!

coolwings

Weigh those engines before getting into costly modifications. They might be too heavy for flight.

Also try to get them running with your RC gear nearby before putting cash into modifications.
The interference suppression of an RC gasoline engine is far more effective than eg a lawnmower engine of similar size. You may not be aware but the spark ignition produces a vicious flash of interference and if things are not right, it can blow a receiver three feet away permanently damaging it. The single conversion Futaba receiver is particularly vulnerable to strimmer engine interference.

The purpose built model aviation gassers (Desert, MVVS) have been designed with low weight and low interference as a priority, and in many cases they have a supressed sparkplug almost enclosed by the engine casing itself, with the opening facing away from the model and it's RC receiving gear.

I have seen good models of great value ruined by attempting to make them fly with unsuitable utility gasser engines. On testing - some work out ok and some don't.

If they turn out to be too heavy for planes they may still be useful for 1:5th cars.

LegacyUser

coolwings wrote: »

Weigh those engines before getting into costly modifications. They might be too heavy for flight.

Also try to get them running with your RC gear nearby before putting cash into modifications.
The interference suppression of an RC gasoline engine is far more effective than eg a lawnmower engine of similar size. You may not be aware but the spark ignition produces a vicious flash of interference and if things are not right, it can blow a receiver three feet away permanently damaging it. The single conversion Futaba receiver is particularly vulnerable to strimmer engine interference.

The purpose built model aviation gassers (Desert, MVVS) have been designed with low weight and low interference as a priority, and in many cases they have a supressed sparkplug almost enclosed by the engine casing itself, with the opening facing away from the model and it's RC receiving gear.

I have seen good models of great value ruined by attempting to make them fly with unsuitable utility gasser engines. On testing - some work out ok and some don't.

If they turn out to be too heavy for planes they may still be useful for 1:5th cars.

Good post. I was going to say something along the same lines.