emzi(at)supernet.com
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 Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 6:04 pm Post subject: 2 Stroke VS 4 Stroke / Clutch Question |
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lucien stavenhagen wrote:
| Quote: | Personally, I think I'll always find a way to use a pull start if I run a
2-stroke if for no other reason than the weight savings. The only thing I
wish I could do with my firestar is pull the rope after getting into the
plane (my trike was setup this way and it was heaven). As it is, I have to
start outside the plane and there're obvious safety concerns with that. The
clutch helps with this a good bit though....
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lstavenhagen(at)hotmail.c
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| Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:44 am Post subject: 2 Stroke VS 4 Stroke / Clutch Question |
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| Quote: | Lucien,
How much experience do you have with the clutch? I was considering
putting one on my plane. How long do they last? Have you ever had any
slippage? Is it worth the money? ~ Earl
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This one is my first, but the previous owner of my FSII used one on the
original motor for about 400 hours. They appear to last forever. According
to the logbook, there was something like 2 thousandths of wear on the shoes
after 200 hours of use... And there's something like 1/4" of lining on
there. I still have the old one which I kept because I plan to use it on
another project eventually.
Never had any slippage at all, once engaged it's engaged and you don't even
know it's there....
The RK-400 clutch is a very hefty, well built piece of equipment, very
precision that gives no problems once installed (I don't work for AirTech,
BTW, just a happy customer). Personally, I don't know how I ever got along
without it now that I have it.
Advantages:
- Very easy starting. Heaven heaven heaven... Just like pull-starting a
snomobile or ski-doo...
- Eliminates the "rotax rattle" at idle, basically eliminating the stress
that puts on the crank. The crank in the original motor went almost 500
hours with the clutch, I still have it and the runout is still within used
limits (it's rotting away now but isn't worn out).
- allows idling at 1500 rpm or even lower.
- no brakes needed to hold position on the ground anymore.
- allows practicing deadsticks without shutting motor down. Just pull back
to idle and you're in the engine-out configuration!
- windmilling prop adds a LOT of drag, which can be very useful in adjusting
an approach.
- stationary prop while on flight line quite a novelty, turns the heads of
the other pilots, your friends and impresses girls.
Disadvantages:
- expensive, about $500 (well worth the money though IMO).
- adds weight, about 3 lbs over the standard coupler it replaces in the C
box.
- can no longer hand prop engine in case starter is kaput.
- To prevent excessive wear, you have to run it either engaged or
disengaged. Fully engaged rpm is about 2800 or more which can be more than
needed to taxi comfortably. So to taxi, you have to work the throttle back
and forth, which can be slightly annoying (I've gotten used to this though).
- noticeable rattle at idle when disengaged, if you care about such things
(I don't and am used to it). This is due to the shoes rattling in the
housing (personally, it reminds me that it's a stout, strong piece of
equip).
- windmilling prop adds a LOT of drag, which will significantly reduce your
engine-off glide ratio.
The only other thing about adding the clutch is getting the idle speed low
enough to keep the clutch fully disengaged. The stock slides in the Bings,
even when bottomed out completely, will still give an idle of 2100 or more.
What I do is just idle a bit rich which solves the problem - when hot, the
motor idles down nicely to 1500 to 1700......
Personally, I'll never not use the clutch again if I can help it... Best
thing since sliced bread for me....
LS
N646F
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emzi(at)supernet.com
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