ArticlesArticles Most Popular ArticlesMost Popular Articles Most Helpful ArticlesMost Helpful Articles Submit A QuestionSubmit A Question Login for PRIORITY RESPONSELogin for PRIORITY RESPONSE
RSS Feeds
DrillDown Icon Table of Contents
DrillDown Icon LIABILITY & COPYRIGHT
DrillDown Icon Site Information
DrillDown Icon * Support
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - Adhesives
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - Master Airscrew
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - POLYPRO
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - RC Flying - General
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - RC Flying Electric - General
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - ULTRA POWER Technology - Products
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - VMAR - General
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - VMAR - Products
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - VMAX Electric Power Systems - General
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - VMAX Electric Power Systems - Products
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - VMAX Engines (Glow) - General
DrillDown Icon VMAX Engines - Documents
DrillDown Icon Engine Bearings - Replace or Not?
DrillDown Icon Engine Piston & Sleeve - Replace or Not?
DrillDown Icon After Run Oil - Why use it?
DrillDown Icon Engine Carburetor - Spray Bar - Alignment
DrillDown Icon Engine Carburetor - Rotor Difficult to Rotate
DrillDown Icon Engine Carburetor - Low Speed Mixture - How to Set?
DrillDown Icon Engine Carburetor - Will not shut off.
DrillDown Icon Engine Cleaning - How to Do It?
DrillDown Icon Engine Dimensions (Sizes)
DrillDown Icon Engine Head Bolts - How Tight?
DrillDown Icon Engine - Inverted Operations
DrillDown Icon Engine OK on Ground - Poor in Flight
DrillDown Icon Engine Power - What is Appropriate?
DrillDown Icon Engine Prop Size?
DrillDown Icon Engine (ABC type) - Clyinder (Sleeve) Removal
DrillDown Icon Engine (ABC type) - Crankshaft Removal
DrillDown Icon Engine (ABC type) - Piston Removal
DrillDown Icon Engine (ABC type) is Tight at Top Dead Center - Is something wrong?
DrillDown Icon Engine Storage - Preparation
DrillDown Icon Engine Types and Power Considerations
DrillDown Icon Rust - How to Remove It?
DrillDown Icon Rust - Why is it Bad? How to Prevent It?
DrillDown Icon Technical Info - VMAX Engines (Glow) - Products
  Email This ArticlePrint PreviewPrint Current Article/Category and All Sub-Articles/Categories
 
Engine Power - What is Appropriate? How Much is Too Much?

Question: How much engine power is appropriate? Many models give a range of engine sizes... should I use an engine that is at the bottom of the range or go for broke and use the biggest engine recommended?

Answer: If in doubt go with something that is more or less in the middle of the range unless the distributor or your dealer have some specific recommendations.

DO NOT use an engine larger than the maximum size recommended by the model manufacturer. You run the risk of overstressing the airframe which can lead to sudden breakup of the model in the air and may injure someone.

Better Answer: Generally manufacturers specify a range of engine sizes for a model. An engine in the middle usually works well but you might want to consider going with the higher end of the range if you are going to be flying at altitudes above 2000 feet or in very hot weather or flying off of floats. Naturally if you are doing all of these, flying at high altitudes from a lake on a hot day... the bigger engine is the better choice. You might also want to ask around in your area to see what other RC flyers are doing. Be a bit cautious of the "power at all costs" type of recommendations but listen carefully when you get advice from those who have thought it through and tried it out.

 

Article ID: 2712