{"id":28470,"key":"Comparison_of_IC_motors","title":"Comparison of IC motors","latest":{"id":1223874,"timestamp":"2026-01-08T23:35:47Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"[[File:Opposite piston engine persp.gif|thumb]]\n\nThis article compares the IC (Otto) engines, primarily on their power/weight ratio; this being a key issue to assess the usability of an engine for a particular task (ie transport, local power transformation, ...). Primarily the difficulty of repair/convertion and durability is important, since most engines will probably be scavenged and repaired, rather than built. Only 4-stroke engines are mentioned, since 2-stroke engines can't be converted to a emissionless IC-engine. Note that Diesel engines aren't mentioned as they have a very poor power/weight ratio (atleast the durable, low-maintenance engines), although they are generally \"considered to be\" very fuel-efficient. They can nevertheless be seen used in ships, as in these vehicles weight is ''less'' of an issue than in ie road or aerial vehicles.\n\n{{Clear}}\n\n{| border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"5\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"text-align:left\"\n| Type\n| Difficulty of repair\n| Difficulty of convertion to emissionless ICE\n| Power-to-weight\n| Durability\n| Production cost\n| Fabrication requirements\n| Difficulty of production\n|-\n| colspan=\"9\" | ''' Engines using liquid matter cooling'''\n|-\n| ICE straight engine\n| ?\n| ?\n| ?\n| medium\n| ??\n| ?\n|\n|-\n| ICE V-engine\n| ?\n| ?\n| ?\n|\n| ? ??\n| ?\n|\n|-\n| ICE W-engine\n| ?\n| ?\n| ?\n| ??\n| ?\n| ?\n|\n|-\n| Opposed piston engine\n| ?\n| ?\n| ?\n| ??\n| ?\n| ?\n|\n|-\n| ICE X-engine\n| ?\n| ?\n| ?\n| ??\n| ?\n| ?\n|\n|-\n| ICE rotary engine (Wankel)\n| ?\n| ?\n| ?\n| ??\n| ?\n| ?\n|\n|-\n| ICE rotary engine (Quasiturbine)\n| ?\n| ?\n| ?\n| ??\n| ?\n| ?\n|\n|-\n| colspan=\"9\" | ''' Engines using solid matter cooling '''\n|-\n| ICE straight engine<ref>[http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine5.htm Lawn mower engine being solid matter cooled]</ref>\n| ?\n| ?\n| ?\n| good-medium\n| ?\n| ?\n|\n|-\n| ICE radial engine\n| ?\n| ?\n| better then solid matter cooled ICE straight engine\n| good\n| ?\n| ?\n|\n|-\n| ICE rotary engine ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_engine conventional])\n| ?\n| ?\n| better then solid matter cooled ICE straight engine\n| good\n| ?\n| ?\n|\n|}\n\nCommon sources:\n\n* lawn mower engine --> ICE straight engine, solid matter cooled. Power rating: around 12 HP. Can appearantly be modified upto 35 HP<ref>U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association (USMLRA); Wreckreation Nation documentary</ref>\n* weed wacker engine --> ?\n\n''Note 1: is there a method to calculate power rating from erylind contents x amount of cylinders x fuel burned ? Would be useful if power rating is not mentioned on engine.''\n\n''Note 2: Not sure whether there is a difference in difficulty of repair between older and newer ICE straight engines; appearantly spark ignition was timed only using the [http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine4.htm timing belt] in the past whereas now, sensors are used;<ref>Zo werkt uw auto by Carel Zaal</ref> sensor doesn't seem too diffult to make though''\n\n''Note 3: Finally, not sure whether ICE (straight) engines can have their starter system removed (this normally happens using a starter engine connected to the flywheel). This is quite important as it requires not only the extra starter engine, but also a lead-acid battery for the starting. Both add weight, additional difficulty in repair, and extra requirements (ie lead-acid SLI batteries need to have certain level of starting power, actually require temperature regulation, ...) A hand or leg-based starter system, as seen in the AT e-velomobile would simplify things greatly.''\n\n''Note 4: Not sure whether lawn mower engines actually have a starter engine, this is probably simply swapped with the starter cord. Also, lawn mower engines do not have a spark ignition system using a battery, rather they use simple magneto's (which is a magnet generating power directly from the rotation of the flywheel''\n\nApplications:\n\n* lawn mower motor --> use in flexwing microlights, if improved to 35 HP\n* weed wacker --> use on motorised bicycles, light ground vehicles (ie AT e-velomobile)<ref>Mail George Tetz</ref>\n* car engine --> 100 HP - 200 HP, use in transport aircraft, if several are used per single aircraft\n* ...\n\n== See also ==\n\n* [[Improving system efficiency by combining engines]]\n* [[Comparison of motors|Comparison of non-IC thermal motors]]\n\n== External links ==\n\n* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_configuration\n* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Nano: Tata nano engine: a cheap L2-engine with 2 counter-rotating shafts to eliminate vibrations.\n\n== References ==\n\n<references />\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n| keywords = Energy, Energy conversion, Comparisons, IC motors\n| sdg = SDG07 Affordable and clean energy\n| description = Engines vary in power, durability, and repair needs. Appropedia compares motor types to support better energy efficiency.\n}}\n\n[[Category:Energy]]\n[[Category:Comparisons]]"}