New idea... Virtual Tach Race

Very good question on the fuel. I run GlowPlugBoy fuel for 1/2A engines, as I've never mixed my own.

Higher % would make a difference also...

Maybe saying use this "tach" and this "what ever fuel", would be beneficial also.

Buying whatever fuel and whatever tach compared to shipping to somewhere for a tach race maybe a wash... I dunno. Most hobby shops have Sullivan 1/2a fuel too. Just trying to figure out the variables and how to keep it an even playing field...

Might could work for unlimited where combinations of mods and parts doesn't matter. However, mouse rules are a little tighter and novice may be tricky as well.

Believe it or not the guy needling plays a big part as he will probably needle consistantly across the board. If folks needle their own engines it inteoduces a variable.

This is all well and good if we do it for fun, but if prizes enter into the picture it may cause problems.

It would certainly alleviate the mailing issue.

I don't think the needling plays a roll. Who's to say one person is better then another?

I do think that fuel, prop, tach, temp and air pressure would play a role. I'm not sure how to regulate or take into account of temp and air pressure...

You could all come to the uk where it's constantly raining and windy or you could compensate by running the engines underwater in the bath !!!!
Sorry tried to be serious in all fairness I don't think there could ever be anyway of compensating for pressure humidity and temp unless the same engine brand new was run on the same setting (fixed) with the same fuel all over the world and then see what different Rpm's you get in different places and somehow calculate it from there even then surely it would be a bit of guess work if someone told me they got x Rpm's I would believe it as that is what this forum is for honest people with the same interests getting together and sharing knowledge

Dizzyman2011 wrote:You could all come to the uk where it's constantly raining and windy or you could compensate by running the engines underwater in the bath !!!!
Sorry tried to be serious in all fairness I don't think there could ever be anyway of compensating for pressure humidity and temp unless the same engine brand new was run on the same setting (fixed) with the same fuel all over the world and then see what different Rpm's you get in different places and somehow calculate it from there even then surely it would be a bit of guess work if someone told me they got x Rpm's I would believe it as that is what this forum is for honest people with the same interests getting together and sharing knowledge

Maybe that's just a variable we we will have to live with. I can live with someone's RPM without taking in account temp and air pressure. Video proof is the key.

Fuel would be nice to regulate along with what specific tach... maybe it will have to be the price to play...

I myself don't have a regular tach and I use a laser tach. But for a race like this, I would go out and buy a normal tach, prop & fuel and run accordingly. I think that would overall be fair. What do you all think? Obviously we can't do the virtual tach race, until everyone gets their engines back from the tach race that is running now.

Can I suggest a tachometer
The turnigy mini tachometer I know there quite popular with people due to price £9.99 free postage there is also unnamed same case different writing inside they are exactly the same

On eBay


End time: 2 Feb 2013 16:28:05 GMT


View item:
Turnigy Radio Control Multi-Blade Micro Tachometer Tu-Tacometer

Would you want to suggest a cheap tach or a well known tach?

Also regarding tachos like this one and majority of others do not use under flourescent lights as it will give you wrong readings as the 50hz frequency of the lights interfere
I'm sure everybody knows that .... Yawn but just in case you don't Natural light is the accurate way of doing it

In my shop I have a very large CFL (100/350?)... kinda the reason why I picked laser. During my tach race pre-run, I noticed they don't work outside

The ones I describe are exactly the same but different writing on the case ( I have stripped both apart to see) as my turnigy glass broke the readings I got were identical for the engine I used it on 20100 Rpm's on 25% has a few good features different number of blades 2-9 and max Rpm's but am of course open to suggestions I think the fuel might be more of an issue than the tachos because getting the same fuel everywhere coz of shipping regulations etc

WingingIt74 wrote:In my shop I have a very large CFL (100/350?)... kinda the reason why I picked laser. During my tach race pre-run, I noticed they don't work outside

Aaahhhh I see so your tacho is completely the other end of the spectrum ...sorry I think I'm funny but in reality I'm not so what tacho is this then the laser one u have

I have no problems using an inexpensive tach, just as long as the calibration is pretty accurate across the board.

Dizzyman2011 wrote:Aaahhhh I see so your tacho is completely the other end of the spectrum ...sorry I think I'm funny but in reality I'm not so what tacho is this then the laser one u have

You can see it in my engine videos It was a cheap laser tach.

Here is the one I have
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Digital-Laser-Photo-Tachometer-Non-Contact-RPM-Tach-/120695011534?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c19fbb8ce

Was just going through your videos to find the tach then saw your killer vid looks to me like it was topping out about 22k fair play to you that's pretty hot saw the tacho too looks good and $13.99 not bad price too will have to see what they are over here is it a branded one I need to look for ?

That and I can use it for more then to tach a prop.

Good point lots of other uses around the workshop

Great Idea
We could even standardise by using
The same inexpensive Turnigy tachs.

Standardising fuel is a non starter tho.

John Goddard wrote:Great Idea
We could even standardise by using
The same inexpensive Turnigy tachs.

Standardising fuel is a non starter tho.

Well we would have to come up with some sort of standardized fuel... what's your thoughts? You up the nitro, you'll turn higher RPMs.

I think trust would come into play here.

+1 on the Turnigy tachos. They get the job done.

I'm using leftover Traxxas car fuel spiked with castor - can't afford to buy anything else at the moment.

I would suggest GPB or Sig 25/35.

WingingIt74 wrote:I don't think the needling plays a roll. Who's to say one person is better then another?

I do think that fuel, prop, tach, temp and air pressure would play a role. I'm not sure how to regulate or take into account of temp and air pressure...

Every engine needles different. Therefore it's a variable. We tune by tach and tune by ear. We are all different. It's not personal just a variable. Here is what Paul Gibeault had to say about it after my tach race.

Just a note of thanks for your stellar efforts to provide a wonderful winter diversion. I WAS indeed anxious to see how it would go off. Not that I was worried...just that I always wonder if others can operate/needle my engines as well as I can. OBVIOUSLY, you can! I think some people think their engines are too precious/valuable to be entered, but I'm not one of them. I'm happy with the results in light that I placed LAST in 'unlimited' last year with an experimental engine. Sometimes that happens!
There is NO MAN that Coxes have not brought down to their knees in puzzlement at one time or another... The key I've found is to keep at it & attempt to LEARN what they're trying to tell you. It's also quite OK NOT to have any awards/prizes. For the love of 'trophies' can often lead to hard feelings I've found from years of competition.
Anyways, thanks again for volunteering your time, Ron. It was a great show.

Cheers, Paul

cribbs74 wrote:

WingingIt74 wrote:I don't think the needling plays a roll. Who's to say one person is better then another?

I do think that fuel, prop, tach, temp and air pressure would play a role. I'm not sure how to regulate or take into account of temp and air pressure...

Every engine needles different. Therefore it's a variable. We tune by tach and tune by ear. We are all different. It's not personal just a variable.

I understand that, but if I needle an engine and you needle the same engine during the same run, the tach should read about the same or very similar. I don't think that variable would make much difference, as the end result is chasing the big tach number.