My understanding is that compression & nitro determine ignition timing and too much of both, or either I guess, then would cause detonation. The Redline .56 heli engines come with extra varying thickness head gaskets but not much documentation of what to do with them. My buddy burned up two of those engines before replacing it with another brand running the stock gasket and 30% Cool Power, one did "hole" the piston, I think the other broke the rod. My guess is that lower compression (or lower nitro content) might have prevented that, but who wants lower compression? We want MORE power!!!
It seems like detonation could be detected by high engine temp that just won't cool down by richening the mixture but I have not had a problem on my OS 55HZ. Years ago when I was measuring engine temps I learned that approaching 300 degrees F and higher is the "overheat" point to avoid and again its been a while but 265 F sticks in my mind as a good temp to shoot for. I am running 30% Cool Power w/#8 glow plug and have run about 10 gallons through it still on the same plug.
I am looking forward to getting the temp sensor telemetry probe, once they are available again and I have some extra cash, for my 14SG and may revisit this whole temp thing.
Any of you guys have some good data on the cause of detonation and how to detect, tune or adjust for it? Also, anyone using engine temp telemetry currently and what readings are you seeing?
P.S. RodneyK, I still did not see which engine you are running???
