Wattser Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 It it advisable to purchase a 12v hair dryer or engine heater? I want to break my Losi in but I do not posses a hair dryer or heater. Can i break it in without heating? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norcoforever Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 it'll be a lot harder without as the engine are very tight i would advise picking up a hairdryer =] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy122 Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Any hairdrier will do i use a mini travel one, takes longer but it was free so why not a 12v car one suck some serious amps, i think it was like 15amps i worked one out at, if thats what your going to use, ensure your 1:1 cig lighter is capable As for engine heaters - they just a gloryfied tyre warmer, but still will help the hotter you can get the Engine the easier it becomes Heat makes liner expand = lowers the overtight pinch = lowers compression = turns over faster = better change of getting the dam thing started.... ziggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baja 5b Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I never use them..... the whole point of a brake in is to allow the piston and sleve to warm up and cool down together. Of cource they do make starting a tad bit easier, but if a nitro engine is tuned correctly then it'll start quickly anyway.... Some dont some do.... there mainly used my racers so there engine are kept hot untill the race starts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I wouldn't bother with a 12v hair drier. I would recommend an engine heater though - they make starting an engine much easier. If you have some diy skills and a pound-shop nearby, you can pick up the parts to make a 12v heater for around 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wattser Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Thanks guys and Anton I will take your advice I think and make myself a heater. They are at least Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thevmister Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Thanks guys and Anton I will take your advice I think and make myself a heater. They are at least Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slimeon Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I built my own engine warmer out of a can of peas and a 55w headlight bulb. Takes about 10 mins to get my engine up to 185f. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowie_no7 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Or if your out and about I've seen similar selfade heaters that use a lipo instead of a cig plug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slimeon Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Or if your out and about I've seen similar selfade heaters that use a lipo instead of a cig plug Yeah i'm gonna patch in some different connections later on. But for round about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSGA Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I built my own engine warmer out of a can of peas and a 55w headlight bulb. Takes about 10 mins to get my engine up to 185f. Nice one. I need something like that since my bash spot is now a fair way from my van which has an inverter and heat gun in it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmytheone Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Done the same but used a 12v halogen bulb, a can of beans and a 3S lipo, works a treat. And as I only had to buy the bulb is cost me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazkopat Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 (edited) Those halogens bulbs are good to startup the car in the winter. But if you are breaking in your engine then get a heat gun from homebase. I bought one while ago for Edited January 31, 2012 by lazkopat 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfast Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I built my own engine warmer out of a can of peas and a 55w headlight bulb. Takes about 10 mins to get my engine up to 185f. Good skills! Does the bulb sit directly on the engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkppww91 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 That's a good bit of kit. Wouldn't like to get a burn off that tin though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSGA Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Done the same but used a 12v halogen bulb, a can of beans and a 3S lipo, works a treat. And as I only had to buy the bulb is cost me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slimeon Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I have an empty can of spaghetti hoops and a halogen bulb taken from my van when I upgraded the bulbs waiting for me when I get home. Which means so far it's gonna cost me naff all :-) How's the bulb held in place? Anything tricky? My bulb is held in by friction. The bulb has an 18mm shoulder on it and i have a fine collection of holesaws. To stop me getting burnt by the can i pick it up by the wires. I'm thinking of covering the outside with something to insulate it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSGA Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Cheers, I'm gonna use duct tape for the outside. It'll stop me burning my fingers and insulate it which will heat the motor up quicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmytheone Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I used a some wire covered in heat shrink looped over the top and held in place by a jubilee clip around the can... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carsonkev Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 (edited) i made one out of a asda flask and a h4 bulb the flask was Edited February 1, 2012 by carsonkev 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mugen mark Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 ok tell us how you made it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carsonkev Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 ok tell us how you made it? I'll take some pics tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSGA Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) Nice one. Just tested my thrown together bean can one and it got the motor up to 105 Edited February 2, 2012 by GSGA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carsonkev Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I cut the bottom off do some measuring where the bulb will fit you don't want the bulb touching the head or it could blow I've got my heater touching the exhaust manafold and carb that's where it comes to rest I used an angle grinder with a really thin disc this made light work of the flask I then cut 3 or ground away 3 areas where the tabs are on a h4 bulb the bulb then fits in nicely you want to flatten the tabs with pliers and trim them down then cut across the areas where the bulb fits this means you can twist the bulb and lock it in place that's why you flatten the tabs Then you want a hole in the top for the wires I then put some sticky foil on the lid to help against the heat A pic inside And one in action There you go kev 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenmarr Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 would that be ok to wire in a cigarette plug for use in a car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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