Jens, I am not "down on the twins" I just feel, like QJET, that a good used commercial diesel would fill the bill better for a continous large load and be cheaper and easier in the long run.  Maybe not as cool but easier none the less.

QJET, I totally agree that the 6-1 is the coolest and it is quieter than say a 12-1, but the SFC for the 6-1 and 12-1 is the same.  So doing the same amount of work (read loaded) they should burnthe same amount of fuel for the same amount of work being performed.  I know that at a really small load the 6-1 would beat it in economy.  What I am trying to do (again trying is the operative word) is to have something that COULD just about run everything if I run it hard, and still have something that will still loaf along and not use too much fuel.  As far as making it "portable" goes if i wanted portable I would go buy a little gas unit.  Rocketboys portable set-up is way cool for balancing props at the field, but I have more power than you can shake a stick at in my hangar.  By the way, maybe you could fly up and balance my listeroid and my plane some day with your ACES box?

Mike

Jens, I have read several places that the 12-1 will pull 6.5-7 Kw continously.  Is this not the case? And what do you mean by "no reserve" I thought that a roid would take a large surge load such as starting an A/C unit with relative ease. A 16-1 would be good but from what I have read and seen pictures of the 16-1 metro I have not been impressed with the quality, but this is not a first hand observation.  Does anyone else make a 16-1?

My name is Mike and I live in the Savannah Ga area.

I have been reading everything I can about exhaust slobbering and I still cant come to a definate conclusion.  Most people say you will get slobbering if you are not running enough load, the same people rarely mention operating temp.  My thought is that if the operating temp is correct the even if you are only lightly loaded you will have complete combustion and slobbering should not happen.  I also realize that under a high load the cylinder pressure will be much higher and the rings will seat better, but ring seating should have nothing to with slobbering and everything to do with oil consumption and blow-by.  Alot of stuff that I have read has base ring seating and engine load as thier reasoning for the exhaust slobber. So if I were to run a theromostat and get the engine temp right but run a small load do you thing I will get the dreaded slobber?