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#12
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Air cooled two stroke as inboard?
On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:28:33 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok
wrote: Given that literally millions of air cooled lawn mowers have operated successfully with little (probably no) maintenance all over the world it is doubtful that air cooling is going to be a problem. As long as the engine is operating in open air, not enclosed in a box. It would take a lot of forced air ventilation to get successful cooling within an enclosure. Unfortunately I think most people would want it in an enclosure for safety and noise reduction. |
#13
posted to rec.boats.building
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Air cooled two stroke as inboard?
On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:04:51 -0400, wrote:
On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:24:30 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok wrote: On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:36:47 -0400, wrote: On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:32:43 -0400, "mmc" wrote: "Andrew Erickson" wrote in message ... In article , wrote: On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:16:09 -0400, Andrew Erickson wrote: In article , wrote: On Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:21:25 -0700 (PDT), Robin wrote: I had a brainwave the other day about putting a small (300cc) aircooled two stroke as an inboard in a small wooden boat. With adequate air circulation can anyone see any potential issues here? I would build the boat with this purpose in mind so adapting something to fit would not be a problem. Robin How are you going to cool it adequately? I would assume, for an air-cooled engine, that's where the "adequate air circulation" comes in to play. One would probably have to be a bit careful not to push the engine too hard too long, as well, since many applications for these engines are not at steady high output. (There are exceptions--ultralight aircraft engines for one example.) I don't see any inherent insurmountable objections to doing this. A speed reduction of some sort would be nearly essential, of course, or else using a jet drive. Small two stroke engines in general tend to be inefficient and noisy and smelly and a bit temperamental, although the newer ones are vastly improved over older designs. On the other hand, they are lightweight and generally unaffected by being off level (limited mostly by the particular carburetor design), which can be advantages for use in a small boat. It's not as though there aren't a great many jet skis and boats with older outboards zipping around just fine with two stroke engines every day. Granted, most of these are water cooled, but still... There is a world of difference between a water cooled two-stroke, and an aircooled two-stroke, especially in a confined space. When I ask about cooling, it's because there will be a need for BIG fans to make this work. Air cooled motorcycles tend to overheat sitting in traffic. They need to keep moving to maintain reasonable temps. "Police Special" Harleys have a detuned and lower compression engine for this reason. Just being outside in open air is not enough. Put an engine like that as an inboard on a boat and you are in for trouble. It really needs to be addressed. I'm not sure it can be done practically. Snowmobile engines traditionally were air cooled two stroke engines (although more recently four stroke engines and liquid cooling have become common), and generally inside cowlings, and they generally manage to avoid overheating just fine. Likewise, chainsaw engines don't tend to overheat all the time, despite often being run rather hard. It's a question of the specific engine design (presumably based on the intended application), not a problem common to all two strokes. You are quite correct, though, that the original poster (should they attempt the conversion) should give some careful consideration to cooling. I don't think the end result would ever be an ideal boat motor, but I also think it could be perfectly adequate and probably a lot of fun if you're into that sort of thing. -- Andrew Erickson "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." -- Jim Elliot Some small outboards were/are air cooled as well like the Sears Game Fishers, I think up to 5hp. Not even remotely the same thing as mounting an air cooled engine as an inboard. Err - the Honda 2 H.P. is an air cooled engine. Apparently has no problems with its cooling system. I had, and several friends presently have, air cooled 2-stroke, portable generators. Millions of lawn mowers are air cooled. I could go on but why bother. the O.P. already mentioned that he could foresee the problem of adequate air supply. What in the world is going to be a problem? Cheers, Bruce (bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom) I have already said that air cooled engines work IN SOME APPLICATIONS, including small outboards. Where they don't work well is in enclosed spaces on a small boat. Providing adequate air moving past it WILL be a problem. BTW, the Honda outboard is a 4-stroke, dummy. Err... the guy said "putting a small (300cc) aircooled two stroke as an inboard in a small wooden boat". He didn't talk about enclosing it or anything else. In fact he says "With adequate air circulation can anyone see any potential issues here?". Given his specifications (small boat, small engine) and that he has stated that he is prepared to cope with air circulation problems what are your concerns? In reference to the Honda, do you really think that the cooling requirements on a two stroke engine is different from that on a four stroke? Cheers, Bruce (bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom) |
#14
posted to rec.boats.building
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Air cooled two stroke as inboard?
On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:11:24 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote: On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:28:33 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok wrote: Given that literally millions of air cooled lawn mowers have operated successfully with little (probably no) maintenance all over the world it is doubtful that air cooling is going to be a problem. As long as the engine is operating in open air, not enclosed in a box. It would take a lot of forced air ventilation to get successful cooling within an enclosure. Unfortunately I think most people would want it in an enclosure for safety and noise reduction. Assuming that the "enclosure" is more then an apple crate you are correct however a friend is running a small 2-stroke, air cooled, generator under what looks like a crate. Got holes in both ends to let the air in and out and a top to keep the rain off. Seems to run O.K. I don't think the O.P. was talking about anything but just putting a motor in a boat. Given the size of the motor it sounded like, maybe a small row boat, and I suspect, given that he doesn't mention the exhaust, he isn't thinking about noise at this stage. Besides, if you don't have to row, who cares about the noise :-? Cheers, Bruce (bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom) |
#15
posted to rec.boats.building
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Air cooled two stroke as inboard?
On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:20:03 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok
wrote: On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:04:51 -0400, wrote: On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:24:30 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok wrote: On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:36:47 -0400, wrote: On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:32:43 -0400, "mmc" wrote: "Andrew Erickson" wrote in message ... In article , wrote: On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:16:09 -0400, Andrew Erickson wrote: In article , wrote: On Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:21:25 -0700 (PDT), Robin wrote: I had a brainwave the other day about putting a small (300cc) aircooled two stroke as an inboard in a small wooden boat. With adequate air circulation can anyone see any potential issues here? I would build the boat with this purpose in mind so adapting something to fit would not be a problem. Robin How are you going to cool it adequately? I would assume, for an air-cooled engine, that's where the "adequate air circulation" comes in to play. One would probably have to be a bit careful not to push the engine too hard too long, as well, since many applications for these engines are not at steady high output. (There are exceptions--ultralight aircraft engines for one example.) I don't see any inherent insurmountable objections to doing this. A speed reduction of some sort would be nearly essential, of course, or else using a jet drive. Small two stroke engines in general tend to be inefficient and noisy and smelly and a bit temperamental, although the newer ones are vastly improved over older designs. On the other hand, they are lightweight and generally unaffected by being off level (limited mostly by the particular carburetor design), which can be advantages for use in a small boat. It's not as though there aren't a great many jet skis and boats with older outboards zipping around just fine with two stroke engines every day. Granted, most of these are water cooled, but still... There is a world of difference between a water cooled two-stroke, and an aircooled two-stroke, especially in a confined space. When I ask about cooling, it's because there will be a need for BIG fans to make this work. Air cooled motorcycles tend to overheat sitting in traffic. They need to keep moving to maintain reasonable temps. "Police Special" Harleys have a detuned and lower compression engine for this reason. Just being outside in open air is not enough. Put an engine like that as an inboard on a boat and you are in for trouble. It really needs to be addressed. I'm not sure it can be done practically. Snowmobile engines traditionally were air cooled two stroke engines (although more recently four stroke engines and liquid cooling have become common), and generally inside cowlings, and they generally manage to avoid overheating just fine. Likewise, chainsaw engines don't tend to overheat all the time, despite often being run rather hard. It's a question of the specific engine design (presumably based on the intended application), not a problem common to all two strokes. You are quite correct, though, that the original poster (should they attempt the conversion) should give some careful consideration to cooling. I don't think the end result would ever be an ideal boat motor, but I also think it could be perfectly adequate and probably a lot of fun if you're into that sort of thing. -- Andrew Erickson "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." -- Jim Elliot Some small outboards were/are air cooled as well like the Sears Game Fishers, I think up to 5hp. Not even remotely the same thing as mounting an air cooled engine as an inboard. Err - the Honda 2 H.P. is an air cooled engine. Apparently has no problems with its cooling system. I had, and several friends presently have, air cooled 2-stroke, portable generators. Millions of lawn mowers are air cooled. I could go on but why bother. the O.P. already mentioned that he could foresee the problem of adequate air supply. What in the world is going to be a problem? Cheers, Bruce (bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom) I have already said that air cooled engines work IN SOME APPLICATIONS, including small outboards. Where they don't work well is in enclosed spaces on a small boat. Providing adequate air moving past it WILL be a problem. BTW, the Honda outboard is a 4-stroke, dummy. Err... the guy said "putting a small (300cc) aircooled two stroke as an inboard in a small wooden boat". He didn't talk about enclosing it or anything else. In fact he says "With adequate air circulation can anyone see any potential issues here?". Given his specifications (small boat, small engine) and that he has stated that he is prepared to cope with air circulation problems what are your concerns? That he, like you, has grossly underestimated this issue. In reference to the Honda, do you really think that the cooling requirements on a two stroke engine is different from that on a four stroke? Absolutely. Cheers, Bruce (bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom) |
#16
posted to rec.boats.building
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Air cooled two stroke as inboard?
Err... the guy said "putting a small (300cc) aircooled two stroke as an inboard in a small wooden boat". He didn't talk about enclosing it or anything else. In fact he says "With adequate air circulation can anyone see any potential issues here?". Given his specifications (small boat, small engine) and that he has stated that he is prepared to cope with air circulation problems what are your concerns? That he, like you, has grossly underestimated this issue. In reference to the Honda, do you really think that the cooling requirements on a two stroke engine is different from that on a four stroke? Absolutely. Small gas engines of the utility variety ("lawn mower"engines) have long been used as inboard engines in small wooden boats. Up here in the Pacific NW USA, a local traditional boat called the Poulsbo (or Young) boat was frequently powered with an air-cooled Wisconsin or B&S single lunger. The Poulsbo boat usually was between 16 and 18 feet long and was open. The motor hung out in the breeze. These air-cooled four stroke engines were relatively slow turning and the noise was only mildly objectionable. A modern air-cooled two stroke inboard would need to spin at a much higher speed and would create quite a racket. Would a small, 300cc, two stroke inboard work? Sure but the effort would be high and results may not be satisfactory. If the OP really wants a small boat inboard, look for a vintage four-stroke. It might be more practical to design/redesign/modify the boat for an outboard. A few of the surviving Poulsbo boats have been modified to use an outboard, either on a bracket on the stern (easiest) or in a well (elegant but lots of work). |
#17
posted to rec.boats.building
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Air cooled two stroke as inboard?
Robin wrote:
I had a brainwave the other day about putting a small (300cc) aircooled two stroke as an inboard in a small wooden boat. With adequate air circulation can anyone see any potential issues here? I would build the boat with this purpose in mind so adapting something to fit would not be a problem. Robin I once sailed on an Olson 30 that had an inboard setup that used a Tecumseh 2 stroke air cooled engine. I don't remember how they got enough air circulation. It was so noisy you had to wear ear plugs. |
#18
posted to rec.boats.building
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Air cooled two stroke as inboard?
On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 08:16:27 -0400, wrote:
On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:20:03 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok wrote: On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:04:51 -0400, wrote: On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:24:30 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok wrote: On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:36:47 -0400, wrote: On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:32:43 -0400, "mmc" wrote: "Andrew Erickson" wrote in message ... In article , wrote: On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:16:09 -0400, Andrew Erickson wrote: In article , wrote: On Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:21:25 -0700 (PDT), Robin wrote: I had a brainwave the other day about putting a small (300cc) aircooled two stroke as an inboard in a small wooden boat. With adequate air circulation can anyone see any potential issues here? I would build the boat with this purpose in mind so adapting something to fit would not be a problem. Robin How are you going to cool it adequately? I would assume, for an air-cooled engine, that's where the "adequate air circulation" comes in to play. One would probably have to be a bit careful not to push the engine too hard too long, as well, since many applications for these engines are not at steady high output. (There are exceptions--ultralight aircraft engines for one example.) I don't see any inherent insurmountable objections to doing this. A speed reduction of some sort would be nearly essential, of course, or else using a jet drive. Small two stroke engines in general tend to be inefficient and noisy and smelly and a bit temperamental, although the newer ones are vastly improved over older designs. On the other hand, they are lightweight and generally unaffected by being off level (limited mostly by the particular carburetor design), which can be advantages for use in a small boat. It's not as though there aren't a great many jet skis and boats with older outboards zipping around just fine with two stroke engines every day. Granted, most of these are water cooled, but still... There is a world of difference between a water cooled two-stroke, and an aircooled two-stroke, especially in a confined space. When I ask about cooling, it's because there will be a need for BIG fans to make this work. Air cooled motorcycles tend to overheat sitting in traffic. They need to keep moving to maintain reasonable temps. "Police Special" Harleys have a detuned and lower compression engine for this reason. Just being outside in open air is not enough. Put an engine like that as an inboard on a boat and you are in for trouble. It really needs to be addressed. I'm not sure it can be done practically. Snowmobile engines traditionally were air cooled two stroke engines (although more recently four stroke engines and liquid cooling have become common), and generally inside cowlings, and they generally manage to avoid overheating just fine. Likewise, chainsaw engines don't tend to overheat all the time, despite often being run rather hard. It's a question of the specific engine design (presumably based on the intended application), not a problem common to all two strokes. You are quite correct, though, that the original poster (should they attempt the conversion) should give some careful consideration to cooling. I don't think the end result would ever be an ideal boat motor, but I also think it could be perfectly adequate and probably a lot of fun if you're into that sort of thing. -- Andrew Erickson "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." -- Jim Elliot Some small outboards were/are air cooled as well like the Sears Game Fishers, I think up to 5hp. Not even remotely the same thing as mounting an air cooled engine as an inboard. Err - the Honda 2 H.P. is an air cooled engine. Apparently has no problems with its cooling system. I had, and several friends presently have, air cooled 2-stroke, portable generators. Millions of lawn mowers are air cooled. I could go on but why bother. the O.P. already mentioned that he could foresee the problem of adequate air supply. What in the world is going to be a problem? Cheers, Bruce (bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom) I have already said that air cooled engines work IN SOME APPLICATIONS, including small outboards. Where they don't work well is in enclosed spaces on a small boat. Providing adequate air moving past it WILL be a problem. BTW, the Honda outboard is a 4-stroke, dummy. Err... the guy said "putting a small (300cc) aircooled two stroke as an inboard in a small wooden boat". He didn't talk about enclosing it or anything else. In fact he says "With adequate air circulation can anyone see any potential issues here?". Given his specifications (small boat, small engine) and that he has stated that he is prepared to cope with air circulation problems what are your concerns? That he, like you, has grossly underestimated this issue. Perhaps he has but I put a 5 H.P. Briggs & Stratton in a 15 ft. boat some 60 years ago so I, at least, have some experience in the matter. Frankly a point that you don't seem to have considered, that of what to do with the exhaust, is probably the most likely to cause problems - after the problem of how to bore a straight hole for the shaft log is solved anyway :-) Cheers, Bruce (bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom) |
#19
posted to rec.boats.building
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Air cooled two stroke as inboard?
On Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:01:26 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok
wrote: On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 08:16:27 -0400, wrote: On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:20:03 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok wrote: On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:04:51 -0400, wrote: On Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:24:30 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok wrote: On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:36:47 -0400, wrote: On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:32:43 -0400, "mmc" wrote: "Andrew Erickson" wrote in message ... In article , wrote: On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:16:09 -0400, Andrew Erickson wrote: In article , wrote: On Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:21:25 -0700 (PDT), Robin wrote: I had a brainwave the other day about putting a small (300cc) aircooled two stroke as an inboard in a small wooden boat. With adequate air circulation can anyone see any potential issues here? I would build the boat with this purpose in mind so adapting something to fit would not be a problem. Robin How are you going to cool it adequately? I would assume, for an air-cooled engine, that's where the "adequate air circulation" comes in to play. One would probably have to be a bit careful not to push the engine too hard too long, as well, since many applications for these engines are not at steady high output. (There are exceptions--ultralight aircraft engines for one example.) I don't see any inherent insurmountable objections to doing this. A speed reduction of some sort would be nearly essential, of course, or else using a jet drive. Small two stroke engines in general tend to be inefficient and noisy and smelly and a bit temperamental, although the newer ones are vastly improved over older designs. On the other hand, they are lightweight and generally unaffected by being off level (limited mostly by the particular carburetor design), which can be advantages for use in a small boat. It's not as though there aren't a great many jet skis and boats with older outboards zipping around just fine with two stroke engines every day. Granted, most of these are water cooled, but still... There is a world of difference between a water cooled two-stroke, and an aircooled two-stroke, especially in a confined space. When I ask about cooling, it's because there will be a need for BIG fans to make this work. Air cooled motorcycles tend to overheat sitting in traffic. They need to keep moving to maintain reasonable temps. "Police Special" Harleys have a detuned and lower compression engine for this reason. Just being outside in open air is not enough. Put an engine like that as an inboard on a boat and you are in for trouble. It really needs to be addressed. I'm not sure it can be done practically. Snowmobile engines traditionally were air cooled two stroke engines (although more recently four stroke engines and liquid cooling have become common), and generally inside cowlings, and they generally manage to avoid overheating just fine. Likewise, chainsaw engines don't tend to overheat all the time, despite often being run rather hard. It's a question of the specific engine design (presumably based on the intended application), not a problem common to all two strokes. You are quite correct, though, that the original poster (should they attempt the conversion) should give some careful consideration to cooling. I don't think the end result would ever be an ideal boat motor, but I also think it could be perfectly adequate and probably a lot of fun if you're into that sort of thing. -- Andrew Erickson "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." -- Jim Elliot Some small outboards were/are air cooled as well like the Sears Game Fishers, I think up to 5hp. Not even remotely the same thing as mounting an air cooled engine as an inboard. Err - the Honda 2 H.P. is an air cooled engine. Apparently has no problems with its cooling system. I had, and several friends presently have, air cooled 2-stroke, portable generators. Millions of lawn mowers are air cooled. I could go on but why bother. the O.P. already mentioned that he could foresee the problem of adequate air supply. What in the world is going to be a problem? Cheers, Bruce (bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom) I have already said that air cooled engines work IN SOME APPLICATIONS, including small outboards. Where they don't work well is in enclosed spaces on a small boat. Providing adequate air moving past it WILL be a problem. BTW, the Honda outboard is a 4-stroke, dummy. Err... the guy said "putting a small (300cc) aircooled two stroke as an inboard in a small wooden boat". He didn't talk about enclosing it or anything else. In fact he says "With adequate air circulation can anyone see any potential issues here?". Given his specifications (small boat, small engine) and that he has stated that he is prepared to cope with air circulation problems what are your concerns? That he, like you, has grossly underestimated this issue. Perhaps he has but I put a 5 H.P. Briggs & Stratton in a 15 ft. boat some 60 years ago so I, at least, have some experience in the matter. Frankly a point that you don't seem to have considered, that of what to do with the exhaust, is probably the most likely to cause problems - after the problem of how to bore a straight hole for the shaft log is solved anyway :-) Cheers, Bruce (bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom) Once again, a 4-stroke Briggs and Stratton is a far cry from a 300 cc 2-stroke. It runs slower, cooler and quieter. B&S is a known quantity. We know that B&S 4-stroke engines are engineered to be used in stationary machines, where there is not a rush of wind blowing past them. As far as considering exhaust problems, I don't need to. I also don't need to worry about what color to paint the boat, or what prop to use. Why would I need to consider those things when I already dismissed the whole idea on other grounds? |
#20
posted to rec.boats.building
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Air cooled two stroke as inboard?
On Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:11:56 GMT, "Tim W"
wrote: Isn't an old Vetus an air cooled two stroke marine engine, or am I imagining some of that? And didn't they do something strange like run backwards and forwards? Not strange. Steam is nearly dead, for large merchant ships, replaced by direct drive Diesel. You stop and reset the valve gear, and then restart turning the other direction. If you are inept at manuvering, you can run out of the compressed air used to start the engine. Casady |
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