The 'What did you do in your workshop tonight?' thread

[Snoopy1]

Yes, I am using RC Excl ignitions on all my newer 3w engines. After I had problems with the original "updated" 3w module on my 157cs, I did some investigating and discovered the RC Excl actually improves performance and smooths out the midrange. I instantly gained over 400 rpm on the 157 and about 300 on the 170. Not to mention the throttle response is (and not even kidding) Ferrari fast. When the 3w "updated" ignition module on my 170 started doing the same thing as the 157, I didn't even question or wait. I promptly replaced it with an RC Excl as well. Same results as my 157. My friend Sam Noe in Missouri does the same thing to all his "dub" engines. He has had the same results. His 170cs, his 240...as well as his others. Even the big 210csts I sold him, he put RC Excl's on it and that motor literally wails now. So with the 212, it also got the same upgrade. As for the two magnets, Yes...all mine...(Except my 70 twin) has two magnets. The RC Excl only uses one magnet. The Green one for firing the plugs. The RC Excl totally ignores the red magnet. I bumped the timing on the 157 and the 170 about 3 degress. The 157 now twists an honest 6600 plus on the ground with a Falcon 32x10 CF. When it unloads in the air, it is mind boggling. As for punch out when I have the 260 bumping the rudder on the pavement then mash the gas, It lurches straight up an doesn't even break a sweat. Not to mention the sweetest and easiest starting engines I have ever layed a hand to a prop on. I am a firm believer in the RC Excl for the 3w engines. Especially since the o.e.m. 3w modules are a whopping 260.00 a piece. The RC Excl? A mere 69.00 bucks. Pretty much a no brainer decision for me. Better performance, quicker spool up, smoother running.... According to Milton of RC Extreme Power who sells the RC Excl ignition modules, he has about 200 DA and 3w owners contact him each month for ignition modules for their engines. As a side note it should be mentioned, the 3w ignition on my 157cs started giving me problems at about 35 flights. At 50, it was done. The 170 classic was about the same...30 I think. I didn't wait for it to fail. The 170 now has nearly 90 flights and the 157 approaching 150 and not a single hiccup.

I did get the RC Excl hall sensors mounted and timed on the 212 tonight. Got everything all tidied up and now the engine is ready for a test run. I will have to wait for the L80's from Aircraft International to arrive before I can start it however. I took some photos of how I install and time the hall sensors. I will post them tomorrow as it is rapidly approaching midnight and I am beat.

Thanks for the reply that is very interesting to know and the the RC excel ignore the second magnet. I have an older 3W-42 with a single magnet on it do you believe I will also get that amount of improvement with RC excel ignition and it will work on the engine, you are getting me excited love to get a little more power for only 69 dollars. Thanks for the help it is appreciated. Can you also give me the contact info for the person that sold your the ignition. Thanks

 

[stangflyer]

Thanks for the reply that is very interesting to know and the the RC excel ignore the second magnet. I have an older 3W-42 with a single magnet on it do you believe I will also get that amount of improvement with RC excel ignition and it will work on the engine, you are getting me excited love to get a little more power for only 69 dollars. Thanks for the help it is appreciated. Can you also give me the contact info for the person that sold your the ignition. Thanks

I can't honestly say if you'll get similar results. I've yet to run my 70 twin to know. But I would definitely give Milton a call. Web site is rcpowerextreme.net

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

Thanks for the reply that is very interesting to know and the the RC excel ignore the second magnet. I have an older 3W-42 with a single magnet on it do you believe I will also get that amount of improvement with RC excel ignition and it will work on the engine, you are getting me excited love to get a little more power for only 69 dollars. Thanks for the help it is appreciated. Can you also give me the contact info for the person that sold your the ignition. Thanks

In all honesty, if you have the coil pick up, buy a DA single ignition. I did for one of my older 100s, and it ran just fine. Just need to swap the plug on the pick up to a standard JR style plug, as the older 3W coils have an older Futaba G style plug they use.

 

[Snoopy1]

rcpowerextreme

Thanks for the help on the ignition I have saved the site so hopefully I can find it at a later date. And also the DA info thanks .
@Bunky.F.Knuckle thanks for the DA info is there any reason you recommend the DA ignition or just for another alternate. What do you mean by a coil pick up. My older 3w has a single magnet in the hub. And ignition has a blue dot on it that is suppose to mean something but I do not what. Thanks for you help.

 

[Xpress]

The baffle saga continues. Needed something to direct air towards the engine since there was a nice 2" gap between the cowl and cylinder head, whipped up a quick baffle on each side to force the air back to the cylinder.

Still thinking about trying to do something for the top of the cylinders....

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

Thanks for the help on the ignition I have saved the site so hopefully I can find it at a later date. And also the DA info thanks .
@Bunky.F.Knuckle thanks for the DA info is there any reason you recommend the DA ignition or just for another alternate. What do you mean by a coil pick up. My older 3w has a single magnet in the hub. And ignition has a blue dot on it that is suppose to mean something but I do not what. Thanks for you help.

The DA is an alternative to the 3W ignition.

The blue dot on the 3W ignitions just means that it is capable of 6V. When i had my blue dots, I always ran 5 cell NIMHs. So, an A123 or LiFe pack will be fine on it.

The pick up is the black piece on the front of the engine, about top center on the front.

You have 2 different styles of ignition pick ups. You have an inductive pick up coil (like the DA 50 up to the 200, and all 3Ws from the 24 upto the 240). Then you have a hall sensor. The DA35 and now all of the 3Ws use hall sensors. Both styles are magnetic and use a 5V signal that excite the ignition to produce spark.

I would choose the DA over a RCExl simply because you dont have to "assemble" anything. It is virtually plug n play, outside of changing the plug on the pick up coil on the 3W. Anyone with some soldering ability can swap that in no time, or if you like to make your extensions, cut the old end off and crimp on a new end.

 

[stangflyer]

The DA is an alternative to the 3W ignition.

The blue dot on the 3W ignitions just means that it is capable of 6V. When i had my blue dots, I always ran 5 cell NIMHs. So, an A123 or LiFe pack will be fine on it.

The pick up is the black piece on the front of the engine, about top center on the front.

You have 2 different styles of ignition pick ups. You have an inductive pick up coil (like the DA 50 up to the 200, and all 3Ws from the 24 upto the 240). Then you have a hall sensor. The DA35 and now all of the 3Ws use hall sensors. Both styles are magnetic and use a 5V signal that excite the ignition to produce spark.

I would choose the DA over a RCExl simply because you dont have to "assemble" anything. It is virtually plug n play, outside of changing the plug on the pick up coil on the 3W. Anyone with some soldering ability can swap that in no time, or if you like to make your extensions, cut the old end off and crimp on a new end.

The RC Excl is plug and play. To an extent. No soldering required. It does however require the purchase of the hall sensor. $6.99 from my favorite ebay supplier. It comes as a "DYI" kit. Sensor, mounting bracket and screws. The bracket is a perfect fit for the dub motors. So basically bolt and go. 69.99 for the ignition plus 6.99 for the sensor is just shy of 77 bucks. For extra rpm, smooth as silk running and Ferrari fast throttle response, I'll take it any day.

 

[Snoopy1]

Thank you for the advice and help. Very good info to have my ignition on the 3W is still ok but sure is nice to know that there is replacement that even works better and is a lot less money that does not happen often
@stangflyer and @Bunky.F.Knuckle thank you both.

 

[49dimes]

Got the 10 year old DL50 mounted back on the airframe. The new stand offs put it at the sweet spot. G2 DX8 and AR8000 receiver should be here Friday. Just need to finish mounting pants, install radio and batts. Balance and go FLY.

 

[stangflyer]

Got the 10 year old DL50 mounted back on the airframe. The new stand offs put it at the sweet spot. G2 DX8 and AR8000 receiver should be here Friday. Just need to finish mounting pants, install radio and batts. Balance and go FLY.View attachment 95703 View attachment 95704 View attachment 95705

Kelly, I am sorry I have not had time to respond to some of your recent posts. More irons in the fire than I know what to do with it seems. I did want to say however, thank you for your FB post. It is so good to see you getting involved again. I know that life happens sometimes. But I have also realized that when we remove certain components of what makes us "who" we are from our every day lives, a little bit of who we are inside dies. I for one have missed seeing your posts and staying updated on what's happening with you. Never allow life to take away from you those things that put a smile on your face.