I just looked today, and saw a used Kalt K 20cc gas engine that looks ancient, but it is the right size Is that a good brand, and are there still replacement parts available for them? It is an auction, so it may end up having too high a price in the end, but hopefully the price stays low.
There is also a brand new Evolution 20cc gas engine on ebay, but it is currently at $140 USD+$15 shipping, and the price is definitely going to go up. Plus, I'd have to break it in myself, which is something I have never done. What's your opinion on the evolution engines?
I also found a used evolution 20cc that was run for about 3 hours. It is in good condition, but is 3 hours enough run time for breaking in? (and it may have been in the air). If I have to use an electronic ignition with the evo engine, and also need to use another flight pack, that might make up for the lighter weight than the Kalt 22cc, which is a good thing with this plane. There is also a DLE 20, but it is shipping from Pakistan, so shipping is likely going to cost quite a bit more than for the others, so I don't think I'm going to bid on that one.It's a newer design, so it's lighter and maybe more responsive - it's got a better power-to-weight ratio, but you're not putting the engine on a 3D plane. It'd also have an electronic ignition, so you'd have an ignition module to deal with - I normally run the ignition on a separate battery pack so it doesn't drain the receiver/servo battery. An optical kill switch is almost mandatory as well, to kill the engine if you lose signal. A fail safe setup with a cheap 9 gram servo and reed switch will do the same with a magneto engine. The electronic ignition motors tend to fire up more easily than magneto, according to some, but if you're using a starter motor they both work great. Evo engines appear to be somewhat polarizing, people either love 'em or hate 'em. I've got an Evo 8cc with electronic ignition in a Telemaster Electro and it runs great. I haven't any experience with the bigger Evo engines.
The advantage with new is that it *should* fire up and run with minimal tuning or fuss. Probably. The disadvantage is that you'll want to break it in according to the manufacturer's recommendations. This can take a while, and in my case my wife isn't thrilled about me running a gas engine in the garage (with the door open) for extended periods of time due to the noise.
The advantage with the use engine is that it's probably already broken in (hopefully properly), but the disadvantage is that you'll want to rebuild the carb and replace gaskets so it's fully ready to go. If you're lucky the previous owner has recently done that and tuned the engine so it's ready to go, but people don't tend to sell engines they're currently using! The rebuild is fairly easy once you've done it a few times, but the tuning can be a little more tricky until you really dig in and learn how to adjust the carb. Once it's done, you may never have to re-tune it again.
I also found a used evolution 20cc that was run for about 3 hours. It is in good condition, but is 3 hours enough run time for breaking in? (and it may have been in the air). If I have to use an electronic ignition with the evo engine, and also need to use another flight pack, that might make up for the lighter weight than the Kalt 22cc, which is a good thing with this plane. There is also a DLE 20, but it is shipping from Pakistan, so shipping is likely going to cost quite a bit more than for the others, so I don't think I'm going to bid on that one.
Luckily my field is pretty remote, so I could break it in there if I get that engine.Some people do ALL their break-in in the air. On a new engine I often do a mix of getting it setup and running on the bench, then on the plane for more ground testing, and finally in the air after it's had a few tanks run through it. 3 hours could be just fine, but the safe bet would be to run it on the ground for at least a tank-full of good fuel to be sure.
Shipping from Pakistan? Maybe it's my paranoia kicking in, but that'd be a red flag for me if it's a private seller.
I plan to go for one of the evolutions unless they go beyond my price range.Let me know if you pass on the Kalt, it'd be a nice addition to my collection of old school engines. I took delivery today on my Roush Mfg. Cobra 38cc engine (kind of a modified Zenoah, and it doesn't appear that it's related to Roush racing). I don't think it's ever been started and is in almost perfect condition for a 37-ish year old engine. It's old enough that it uses points and a condenser. At this time I have no plans to ever put gas into it, although I may check to see if it has spark. The tentative plan is to put an old prop and spinner on it, add a fuel line for looks, and make a stand for it so it can sit on my desk.
It went beyond my bidding limit . But, there is still the other Evo engine which will be auctioning in about 2 days, and no bids so far, and the KaltDid you win the auction? Looks like it didn’t move for the last hour or two of the auction.
Joe from Balsa USA said they are currently working on an electric motor mount that is adjustable for all their 1/6 scale planes. The cowl is already longer than scale because it is made to allow for a four stroke glow, so if you build the motor mount as long as possible and put the batteries on it, you may be able to balance it out. even with that, you may still have to extend the nose a little bit.Sure, that works for you guys with the smelly noise makers up front - those are super heavy already! Us electrocuters would need an ATV battery up front to balance out!