Frustrated with commercially available Nitro Fuel? Aren’t meeting your standards and yet, is breaking your bank? We get it.
Now you may have heard about DIY RC Nitro Fuel. Wondering how to make RC Nitro Fuel?
To make RC Nitro Fuel, you’ll need methanol, nitromethane, and castor oil. Mix the chemicals in proper quantities. You can make both 20% and 30% fuel depending on your needs. Making RC Nitro Fuel is easy or hard depending on who you ask. Maintain some precautions to avoid unnecessary disasters.
Some people hate the concept of DIY RC nitro fuel. While others swear on it. You’re probably reading this because you want to learn to make nitro fuel. Luckily for you, we’ve covered all there is to making Nitro Fuel yourself.
Contents
Can You Make RC Nitro Fuel Yourself?
Yes, you can produce RC nitro fuel at home with a few simple ingredients. Making your own nitro fuel is also less expensive than purchasing it from a company. However, because these involve chemicals, taking care is always a good idea.
Ingredients
These ingredients will be needed to make RC nitro fuel.
- Methanol
- Nitromethane
- Measuring Cup
- Castor Oil
The ingredients can be bought from any hardware store or online easily. They are used in various products which we use.
Process 1: For Making 20% Nitro Fuel
We’ve created the process for making 20% nitro fuel. This fuel type is mostly used for general purposes.
Step 1: Gather the ingredients
For 20% nitro fuel the chemical ratios are 20% nitromethane, 12% oil, and 68% methanol. For argument’s sake, you decided to make 100 oz of Nitro Fuel.
Step 2: Amount of Chemicals for 100 oz of Nitro Fuel
Ensure that you’re using the right amount according to the volume of fuel.
100 x 0.20 = 20 oz of nitromethane
100 x 0.12 = 12 oz of oil
100 x 0.68 = 68 oz of methanol
Step 3: Mixing the Ingredients
After combining the chemicals, you will have 100 oz of 20% nitro fuel for your RC. Nitro fuel with a concentration of 20% is intended for recreational use by RC enthusiasts.
It will work on your engine without causing any problems. To keep the RC operating, be sure to tune your engine.
Process 2: For Making 30% Nitro Fuel
We’ve created the process for making 30% Nitro fuel. This fuel is mostly used for racing.
Step 1: Gathering the Ingredients
For 30% nitro fuel, the chemical ratios are 30% nitromethane, 12% oil, and 58% methanol. Don’t worry, we’ll give you the measurements for 100 oz of nitro fuel. Let’s say you decided to make 100 oz of nitro fuel.
Step 2: Amount of Chemicals for 100 oz of Nitro Fuel
Ensure that you’re using the right amount according to the volume of fuel.
100 x 0.30 = 30 oz of nitromethane
100 x 0.12 = 12 oz of oil
100 x 0.58 = 58 oz of methanol
Step 3: Mixing the Ingredients
After you’ve combined the chemicals, you’ll have 100 oz of nitro fuel for your RC. For RC competitive racing, 30 percent nitro fuel works best. It boosts and accelerates the RCs.
It is safe to use DIY 30 percent nitro oil in an RC motor. To keep the RC functioning, make sure your engine is tuned.
Precautions to be Taken
When creating nitro fuel, you’re dealing with highly combustible compounds. Maintain a level of prudence so that you do not burn down your residence. Also, allow no pets or small children to get into contact with these chemicals.
Make sure your self-made nitro fuel is not too rich. Otherwise, your RC might stop when you try to accelerate.
Check that the chemical bottles’ seals are securely closed. Handle chemicals with caution in order to avoid spilling them wherever. Make sure that any open flames are kept away from the chemicals.
How to Store RC Nitro Fuel?
Keep the nitro fuel in properly sealed containers. Keep it away from direct sunlight. Make sure the storage is at the perfect temperature so that the chemicals inside don’t react. If properly kept, RC nitro fuel can last for over 20 to 30 years.
Moisture, on the other hand, will begin to collect sooner or later. Ascertain if the storage conditions are satisfactory. Nitro fuel can be kept in good condition for the future if it is stored properly.
So store the RC nitro fuel properly and you’ll have a better chance at running the RC during winter.
Now let’s consider the worst-case scenario: your RC nitro fuel has gone stale. Wondering how to dispose of RC nitro fuel?
If not properly stored, RC nitro fuel might get stale. If nitro fuel comes into contact with foreign contaminants, it may need to be discarded. Nitrogen fuel can be disposed of in a variety of ways. You can use nitro fuel to kill all the weeds on your pavement.
You can also leave it outside in the sun to let the methanol and nitromethane evaporate. Then dispose of the remaining oil in your rubbish can. Some folks like to pour RC nitro fuel into their sinks and wash it away. It is up to you to decide which process is the simplest. However, try to avoid hurling it at people.
Keep the chemicals out of children’s reach.
Make sure the chemical bottles’ seals are firmly fastened. Handle chemicals with care to prevent spilling them everywhere. Keep your work surface clean. Maintain a safe distance between any open flames and the chemicals.
Should You Make RC Nitro Fuel Yourself?
It’s difficult to say if you should or shouldn’t. Both commercially supplied nitro fuel and homemade nitro fuel have advantages and disadvantages. Commercially available nitro cars are easy to find but they are quite expensive. Due to it, you may not be able to play with your RC car as much as you want. Whereas making nitro fuel is inexpensive but to make it takes a lot of work. People in the community have varied perspectives on the subject.
Personally, I believe in generating my own nitro fuel. So weigh the benefits and drawbacks before deciding whether or not to create RC nitro fuel. If you are clumsy or anxious about chemicals, we recommend that you avoid this product. Don’t try to produce your own nitro fuel. Otherwise, go ahead and do it.
FAQ
Read through the article. But you may still have some questions. For your benefit, we’ve answered the most asked questions in this community.
Can You Make Nitromethane?
Nitromethane is manufactured industrially by mixing propane and nitric acid in the gas phase at temperatures ranging from 350 to 450 degrees Celsius (662 to 842 degrees Fahrenheit). The four important nitroalkanes are produced by nitromethane, nitroethane, 1-nitropropane, and 2-nitropropane.
How Much HP Does Nitromethane Add?
Cars require approximately 15 pounds of air to burn one pound of gasoline. Nitromethane requires only 1.7 pounds of air. Drag racing engines are massive, with an average displacement of 8.9 liters. They can produce around 6,000 horsepower when supercharged.
Which is Faster: Nitro or Electric RC?
Brushless motors can also operate at far higher voltages than brushed motors. The motors with a high voltage supply can assist a newbie racer in reaching fast speeds. The motor-equipped RCs currently holds the fastest speed records faster than nitro.
What is the Fastest RC Nitro Motor?
The Traxxas XO-1 is, without a doubt, the fastest RC car on the market. The largest brushless motor available accelerates the car from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. This car is not only gorgeous, but it also has a top speed of more than 100 miles per hour.
Bottom Line
How to make RC Nitro Fuel is a smart question if you don’t like store-bought products. You just need a few chemicals and mix them together to maintain a ratio. The process has been explained in easy terms for your benefit.
Know any better process to make nitro fuel. Let us know in the comments below.