So...our only source of Nitro in the Dom Rep has been out for about 3 months. I have about a 1/4 gallon left of 10%. Due to regulations, I can not purchase in the US and ship to my Miami address, as the agency will not forward it.

However I did find some 30% Nitro 24% oil Heli fuel in boxes in the garage (being very optimistic on my heli abilities when I purchased it...). What can I buy as a commonly available liquid to get this nitro down to 10% so that I can use it in the planes?

I did read on the internet to purchase 0% fuel, but this is not available either.

Thanks in advance, Sandy

first off, calling glow fuel "nitro" is confusing IMO....

you need to add methanol to bring the nitro content down and oil to bring the oil content back up to what your application needs. i do believe that heli fuel uses a low viscosity oil so if you're going to use this fuel for plane engines i would use castor to bring it back up to 18%- 20% oil by volume. you can do the math or find any number of fuel mix calculators on the web.

methanol is available EVERYWHERE you just need to know what you're looking for. if you can't find a place that sells it as fuel then it is very commonly used as shellac thinner.

castor oil is not hazardous to ship so shouldn't be a problem by mail. klotz benol is excellent and the stuff from sig is also very good. if either of these are a problem then look around for "BP" castor from chemical suppliers. don't buy into all the "degummed" BS as all castor is degummed.

Thanks Zagnut, I'll have a look in the pharmacies / hardware stores to see if I can find the methanol / castor oil.
Regards, Sandy

I'd just use the 30% heli fuel as it is, it will most likely run great, I run most of my engines on 30% heli fuel.
Unless you have an engine designed for low/no nitro, if it doesn't run well, then look at adding another head shim to the engine or re-formulating the mix of the fuel.

but if he finds a reasonably priced source for oil and methanol to cut it down to 10% nitro he will triple the amount of fuel he has.

If you can find Methanol, and you happen to be able to buy a suitable oil too, then the best recommendation I can give, is buy an ignition module too:
Same power, lot less fuel consumption, Never need to change a glowplug, lot less gear to bring to the field (fuel and a chickenstick for starting suffice, no starters, no glow drivers, no extra wires and connectors or spare plugs needed)

But that is not what it is all about in your case: your profit comes from a complete independency to Nitro as a fuel component.... As long as you have access to Methanol (very commonly availlable chemical) and a good oil, you're good to go and you can mix fuel to your needs with regard to oil content.

Brgds, Bert

Thanks Guys, I have managed to find some methanol and castor oil about a 90 min drive away. Will head over and pick it on Monday. I like the idea of tripling the fuel. Should keep me going for while.
Bert, thanks for the tip on the EI. However, most of my glow planes are smaller 40 size, so I would prefer to keep the weight down. I am currently testing a NGH GT9 to try to get away from the nitro as well and will see how that goes.
All the best, Sandy

Hi Sandy, if you can find all, then;
1 cup castor oil(or synthetic)+5 (same) cups of methanol, shake them well,here is your cheapest glow fuel.If you want you can add some acetone(up to 3%).This is my home made fuel for years.

Mix a little fuel with no nitromethane & see how it runs. I also used to use 18% castor oil, 7 % unleaded gas & the rest methanol. Some really small (1/2 A) engines won't run properly without nitro.

The gas at that percentage will not effect silicone fuel lines. The only reason I changed was I bought an OS pumped 120 4 stroke & I was warned about the gas damaging the fuel pump & regulator. - John.

So I checked with a shop in Santiago on Saturday on the phone and they said that they do have it. Drove there and back today (just over 3hrs) and they do not have any in stock right now, ran out about 2-3 weeks ago....but they do normally have it.

Anyway, most of my air engines are designed around a 10% nitro content, with a few here and there at 15%-20%. Will using 30% cause any damage to anything?

Thanks, Sandy