Fuels and Lubrication
Fuel
Swiwin supports use of JetA, Kerosene and Diesel. This means the engines run on all 3. This does not mean the fuels are all the same.
JetA - JETA is in its purest form and is the best fuel to burn in any turbine. The reason is that this fuel is blended with a turbine in mind. It has properties that far exceed the needs of any turbine being run on the ground. JETA is formulated to perform in adverse conditions where the motor sees very low temps and at high altitudes. Availability of JETA makes it an excellent option but accessibility outside an airport might be problematic.
Kerosene - This is clean fuel with simple formulation. This is a first runner up to JETA where it comes to fuels. Pricing in warmer states might be problematic. Department stores sell gallons for absurd costs. In northern states where homeowners may use kerosene heaters, gas stations tend to offer kero more often but please run a good cartridge filter on your filling canister. This is not the filter in line with your engine. This is a cartridge filter that is made to catch everything and will impede flow for running an engine.
Diesel - Diesel is by far the easiest fuel to obtain and accessible everywhere. Diesel runs well in Swiwin engines and has been a proven performer in every jet community. Diesel is said to be a "dirtier" fuel and should also be filtered on your filling container.
There are a couple of points to consider when using diesel.
Answer:
3.5 X 128 = 448 oz
448 oz X .03 (3%) = 13.44 oz oil for diesel
or
448 oz X .05 (5%) = 22.4 oz oil for JetA or Kero
SWIWIN's Recommendation for lubrication - Swiwin advises the use of any turbine oil and currently prohibit the use of 2 cycle oil. They have left it up to their dealers to manage this.
CRX Recommendations - CRX recommends recommends Mobil DTE light - HYDRAULIC oil or any turbine oil.
Fuel
Swiwin supports use of JetA, Kerosene and Diesel. This means the engines run on all 3. This does not mean the fuels are all the same.
JetA - JETA is in its purest form and is the best fuel to burn in any turbine. The reason is that this fuel is blended with a turbine in mind. It has properties that far exceed the needs of any turbine being run on the ground. JETA is formulated to perform in adverse conditions where the motor sees very low temps and at high altitudes. Availability of JETA makes it an excellent option but accessibility outside an airport might be problematic.
Kerosene - This is clean fuel with simple formulation. This is a first runner up to JETA where it comes to fuels. Pricing in warmer states might be problematic. Department stores sell gallons for absurd costs. In northern states where homeowners may use kerosene heaters, gas stations tend to offer kero more often but please run a good cartridge filter on your filling canister. This is not the filter in line with your engine. This is a cartridge filter that is made to catch everything and will impede flow for running an engine.
Diesel - Diesel is by far the easiest fuel to obtain and accessible everywhere. Diesel runs well in Swiwin engines and has been a proven performer in every jet community. Diesel is said to be a "dirtier" fuel and should also be filtered on your filling container.
There are a couple of points to consider when using diesel.
- Smell - Diesel tends to produce more smoke.
- Additives - Diesel is formulated for trucks and buses. In northern states where winter temperatures are extreme, there is a higher concentration of additives. This has no bearing on turbine running but it might affect the amount of lubrication needed.
- Impulse Energy - Diesel has been reported to be more energetic in turbines than other fuels. The impulse energy is essentially the energy that is given off from burning the fuel and can produce more heat than other fuels. Some pilots report a higher thrust output on Diesel.
- 3% for Diesel
- 5% for Kero
- Convert gallons to ounces then multiply by .03 (3%) or .05 (5%). Answer is ounces of oil needed.
Answer:
3.5 X 128 = 448 oz
448 oz X .03 (3%) = 13.44 oz oil for diesel
or
448 oz X .05 (5%) = 22.4 oz oil for JetA or Kero
SWIWIN's Recommendation for lubrication - Swiwin advises the use of any turbine oil and currently prohibit the use of 2 cycle oil. They have left it up to their dealers to manage this.
CRX Recommendations - CRX recommends recommends Mobil DTE light - HYDRAULIC oil or any turbine oil.
- Our working knowledge of lubrication of turbines is based on word of mouth and reports back from our customers. No one to our knowledge, has conducted a controlled experiment using a supply of oil and fuel to test different formulations and later to compile the results after a breakdown of the engines to see the affect. If there has been, we are not aware of this. Until such time of a study, there are no valid grounds for any claim that one oil is better than another. What we can state is that in the 20 years of existence, that we have not had a report back of any issue associated with either of the recommended oils.
- Can other oils be used? Our opinion, of course. There have been good reviews about some other products including synthetics and another formulations. Again this comes down to a person with ample time and resources to conduct a study.
- The one thing we do highly discourage, is the use of any low grade 2 cycle oil.
CRX Turbines
PO Box 491
East Aurora, New York 14052
7a6-946-7493
PO Box 491
East Aurora, New York 14052
7a6-946-7493