Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #44235
From: Thomas Jakits <rotary.thjakits@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Oil Coolers - OFF TOPIC - hailing Lynn Hanover!
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:00:32 -0500
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Hi Bob,
 
thanks for your reply!
 
In both installations the oil-cooler is above the oil level by a good margin.
 
In my opinion the inlet position is not the critical issue, but the outlet.
 
As the oil slows down considerable in the inlet tank, it may (or not) loose the ability to push all the air out in front of it.
If at the initial filling of the cooler after start-up (or opening of the thermostat) air gets trapped at the top of the cooler, this air never gets pushed out, just compressed to oil pressure values.
With a top outlet, the air has no choice but leave the cooler through the outlet....
 
Am I way out there ?????
 
 
thjakits

On Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 2:46 PM, Bob White <bob@bob-white.com> wrote:
Hi Thomas,

If the oil cooler is below the oil level in the bike, I don't think top
or bottom inlet will matter too much.  If it's above the oil level in
the pan, then bottom inlet will ensure the cooler is always full of oil.

My 2 cents and that's probably more than it's worth. :)

Bob W.

On Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:27:00 -0500
"Thomas Jakits" <rotary.thjakits@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I know this is a rotary and aviation list, but there is a lot of cooling
> going on here, so I just dare to ask a OFF TOPIC - no pics, so it should
> load quick too :)
>
> I would like to ask specifically* Lynn Hanover*, but if anyone else knows
> something too, please let me know!
>
> Hopefully soon I will start to restore my 79 R100S BMW bike.
> It does not have an oil cooler yet, but it will when I am done with it.
>
> My question regards the correct orientation of the cooler.
>
> To my knowledge ALL BMW airhead OEM oil cooler installations are with the
> connections at the bottom of the cooler.
> I have a mangled specimen off a GS at home - it seems to be a 6-row, single
> pass cooler.
>
> I posted this question on ADV, but got no clear answer.
> I am  still waiting for a reply from one member who posted a reference to a
> cooler manufacturer that says cooler orientation does not matter (in
> reference to the position of the connections .....)
>
> # My concern is, that if the outlet is at the bottom of the cooler, there
> may be a air cushion trapped in the upper part of the cooler - depending on
> the oil pressure and heat, this may cause a significant loss of cooling
> capacity - question: Right or Wrong???
>
>
> Here the link to the post on ADV if you care to discuss (Beware, if you're
> used to the polite, friendly and helping attitude on this list, you may
> encounter a somewhat different trend on other lists, ..... at times! ADV in
> general is a great place, just now and then one encounters ridicule of
> varying degrees.....)
>
> http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=400352    ("Oil Cooler
> Orientation")
>
> All I really want is to confirm or refute my view!
>
>  Also, most "performance installations" Sport, Racing - seem to support my
> suggestion - outlet on top....
>
> http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=328831
> http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=399841
>
>
> Any experience, data, tests  -   you guys/gals?
>
> Next question: Again orientation of the cooler.
>
> On this list I learned a lot about ducting. Obviously here we are generally
> talking about 35-40 kts at a minimum or at least a prop blast on the ground.
> On the bikes (I limit this discussion to BMW airheads) they are installed
> vertical in front of the engine or on the right side on top of a crashbar in
> front of the cylinder.
> Generally there are no ducts - one had a "fairing" for optics at some time.
>
> Check the following thread and you will see either installation at some
> point.
>
> http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51879   (Plenty of GS
> installations right away, a center one is on a yellow bike nearly all the
> way at the bottom of the 1st page....)
>
>
> According to my wisdom gathered  on this list, either installation is about
> useless:
>
> # Most of the cooling air would go around the cooler instead of through
> # Speeds are of course slower than with airplanes, but the cooling is worse
> when standing still or in stop and go.
> # Cooling would be done mainly by radiation in this situation. Question:
> True/False?
>
> Question: Could cooling be improved in this stop/go situation by installing
> the cooler at an angle (30-45 deg) so there would be some convective action,
> once the heated air leaves the back of the cooler?
>
> I know, there is probably not much action.....
>
> My plan (pending replies...) is to have me a cooler custom welded (Ed
> Klepeis  ?), still need to guestimate the size: 2-pass, inlet at the bottom,
> outlet at the top.
> Install with a 30 degree angle (top forward) and make a small alu-duct.
> Question how long should the the duct be at a minimum in front of the
> cooler?
> It will probably not be a real duct, but rather a guide - aesthetics are of
> course of some importance on the bike!
>
>
> Any airheads on this list?
>
> Any suggestions?
>
>
> At the end my 100S lived its life without a cooler, but Austrian airs are
> way cooler than Panamanian, so a cooler she will get! :)
>
>
> Thanks for your time and suggestions!
>
> thjakits
>


--
N93BD - Rotary Powered BD-4 - http://www.bob-white.com
3.8 Hours Total Time and holding
Cables for your rotary installation - http://roblinstores.com/

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