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Global Services 18480 Bandilier Circle Fountain Valley, CA 92708 Phone: (714) 963-0329 Fax: (714) 964-6236 Email: [email protected]
The diameter and pitch of the propeller needed for your XL RFS series
engine will vary greatly depending on the application the engine is used in.
The weight, drag and the type of model and how you intend to fly it are all
factors in determining the correct size propeller to use. Experimentation
will be necessary to find the optimal size propeller for your particular
application. Ideally you want a propeller that will allow the engine to turn in
the 8,000 - 10,000 rpm range on the ground, yet power the airplane
sufficiently. Using a propeller that is too small will cause the engine to run at
too high an rpm. Using a propeller that is too large will cause the engine to
run at too low an rpm and cause it to lug down too much. In both instances
this can lead to premature engine wear and eventual failure.
PROPELLER SIZE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR XL 1.80RFS
Propeller Recommendation
Use for
Break-In
16 x 8
16 x 6
16 x 10
18 x 4-5
PROPELLER, GLOW PLUG & FUEL
Glow Plug Recommendation
We recommend using a hot heat-range glow plug intended specifically for
four-stroke engines. Do not use a cold heat-range plug or a plug designed
for two-stroke engines. This can lead to erratic engine runs and eventual
engine wear and failure.
Thunderbolt 4-Stroke, O.S. Type-F and Fox
Miracle Plugs are good choices.
Fuel Recommendation
Fuel can make a big difference in the way your engine performs. We
recommend using two types of fuel with your XL RFS series engine. For the
break-in period you should use a fuel containing no more than 10% nitro
methane and no less than 18% Castor/synthetic blend lubricant. Use of fuel
containing more than the recommended percentage of nitro methane or only
synthetic lubricants will cause the engine to run too hot and result in excessive
wear and engine failure in a very short period of time. Once the engine has been
adequately broken in (about 1/2 gallon of the recommended break-in fuel),
a fuel containing 5% - 30% nitro methane and 16% -22% Castor or synthetic
blend lubricant fuel can be used.
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For the break-in period, we do not recommend using fuel
that contains only synthetic lubricants. Synthetic lubricants have a much
lower flash point than Castor Oil lubricants. Flash point is the point at
which the lubricant begins to actually burn and lose its lubricating qualities.
Using fuel containing a blend of Castor Oil and synthetic lubricants results
in an engine that runs cooler and lasts longer. One lean run using a fuel
containing only synthetic lubricants can cause engine failure. Using fuels
with a Castor Oil and synthetic blend of lubricants greatly reduces this chance.
High Speed Needle Valve
The high speed needle valve is used to meter the air/fuel mixture at full
throttle. Turn the needle valve clockwise to lean the mixture or turn the needle
valve counterclockwise to richen the mixture. When you start the engine for
the very first time the needle valve should be turned in completely, then backed
out 2-1/2 turns. When you start the engine after that, leave the needle valve
in the same position it was in when you shut down the engine.
HIGH & LOW SPEED NEEDLE VALVES
Low Speed Needle Valve
The low speed needle valve is preset from the factory for initial starting and
break-in. Do not adjust it until after the engine is broken in. The low speed
needle valve regulates the air/fuel mixture at idle and during transition from
idle to full throttle. Turn the needle valve screw clockwise to lean the
mixture. Turn it counterclockwise to richen the mixture. The low speed
needle valve screw is preset from the factory, but minor adjustments may
need to be made after the engine is broken in.
To reset the low speed
needle valve screw to the factory setting, follow these procedures:
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Open the carburetor barrel completely.
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While holding the barrel open, turn the needle valve screw IN
(clockwise) GENTLY until it stops. From this point, while still holding
the barrel open, turn the needle valve screw OUT (counter-clockwise)
2 full turns. This is the factory setting.
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It is possible to turn the low speed needle valve screw so
lean that the engine will not draw fuel. The low speed needle valve screw
should not need to be adjusted more than one full turn in either direction
from the factory setting. If the engine does not idle or transition, reset the
low speed needle valve screw to the factory setting.
Your XL RFS series engine can be started using an electric starter or it can
be started by hand. For safety and ease of starting, especially when the
engine is new, we recommend using an electric starter. The following two
procedures should be done with the power to the glow plug off.
Starting Using an Electric Starter
When using an electric starter it is not necessary to choke and prime the
engine. The starter turns the engine over fast enough that the engine draws
fuel on its own. Priming the engine prior to using an electric starter can
cause the engine to "hydro-lock" or flood. This is a result of too much fuel in
the engine before it actually fires.
Turning the engine over with an
electric starter while the engine is flooded can cause extreme damage
to the engine and/or cause the propeller assembly to come loose. Turn
the propeller through the compression stroke one time by hand to check
for a hydro-locked state before applying the starter.
STARTING PROCEDURE
Starting by Hand
When starting the engine by hand always use a chicken stick or a heavy
leather glove. Never just use your bare hand or serious injury could result.
To make the engine easier to start by hand it should first be primed. This is
done by opening the carburetor barrel completely and covering the tip of the
exhaust pipe with your finger. Fuel can then be drawn into the engine by
"pulling" the propeller through the compression stroke 2 - 3 times. This will
draw fuel into the engine. After fuel begins to enter the carburetor, remove
your finger from the exhaust pipe and pull the propeller through the
compression stroke once to check for a hydro-locked condition.
WARNING ABOUT ENGINE HYDRO-LOCKING
If the engine becomes hydro-locked, do not force the propeller through
the compression stroke. The excess fuel should be expelled from the
engine before attempting to start it.
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Completely close the high speed needle valve until it bottoms out, then
remove the glow plug from the cylinder head.
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With a rag over the top of the engine, turn the crankshaft several times,
using your electric starter or flipping the propeller by hand. The excess
fuel will be expelled out of the engine and into the rag.
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Check to make sure that the glow plug has not been fouled, then reinstall it.
Reset the high speed needle valve.
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