olnico

Hello everyone.

The new Merlin 200 XBL has just been announced.

http://www.ultimate-jets.net/collect...merlin-m200xbl

This engine features several impressive technical data, including:

Best power-to-weight ratio on the market.
Third best price-to-thrust-to-weight ratio on the market and best value of all engines in the 160 to 300 N including Chinese products.

Have a look here:

Choosing-the-right-engine-for-your-application

The engine is based on the venerable Merlin 160 concept that has been completely re-designed from the ground up using CAD design tools and a thermodynamics optimization program custom written by Gaspar himself. Obviously, Gaspar's 20 year experience in engine designing clearly shows here.

This turbine also features the new XBL concept: it is 100% digital, from the sensors to the control unit and starter motor as well as fuel pump ( brushless ).

This means the following for the starter motor:

• A much higher starting torque giving a more position clutch engagement and less clutch and o'ring wear.

• A punchier starting thanks to the motor torque.

• A more positive starter motor disengagement.

• A more clever piloting of the starting cycle.

And for the fuel pump, the following benefits are achieved:

• Very precise control of the fuel metering since the ECU can pilot the pump pole by pole and control resolution is 1 RPM! Fuel metering s now to the milliliter!
• Very fast change in the fuel flow output. The fuel flow is monitored 100 times per minute and precisely altered as soon as change in the combustion cycle is detected
• In practice this means a much more stable combustion cycle. This is especially important for operating the engine in extreme outside air conditions. Very cold or very warm and humid, as well as in high density altitude conditions are not a problem for the new engine. Also, Idle regime is even more stable than before.
• The brushless pump itself is a professional grade type. It features two ball bearings, automotive seals and reinforced pump gears.

The valves are integrated, saving some weight and installation complexity. Pump and ECU are external.

Finally, this engine shows the best fuel efficiency of all the engines available on the market on the paper. However this will have to be verified on the dynamometer. RCJI will certainly get one of these pretty soon and will be able to provide independent data on that matter.

jetster81

Gaspar and his team are the most innovative turbine builders out there these days and i wish them well with it. i'm waiting for the 35 to appear.

Jgwright

Oli

You have a mistake on your site. The engine is 200N not 140N! The price is very reasonable at $3390 and all in a case the same diameter as the old P80 but with 45 lb thrust.

John

-JC-

My Feedback: (26)

Hi Oli,

Sounds interesting.
How is servicing done in the US? Where are engines sent for repair and what is the typical turnaround time for a Merlin repair.?
also, what kind of warranty does the engine come with?

olnico

Thanks John. Typo corrected.

marc s

Oli, also a few typo's on the text too ..... bang for your bugs??

....performant??

marcs

olnico

Servicing is done at our facility in Houston, up to bearing change.
We do not have the laser balancer as of now and hoping to receive it next month.
Until that time, bearing service has to be done in Spain.
Turnaround time for a repair largely depends on the type of repair. For any minor accessory or body replacement, things are done within a few days in Houston and turnaround time is not more than 10 days.

olnico

Thanks. Corrected!

Dr Honda

My Feedback: (4)

Yep... I've been chatting with Gasper about the M35 for 2 years now. AND, he even put out a vid of it flying a year ago. Find out when he's getting that one out.

olnico

Well, it is obviously easier to design a large efficient turbine than a sub miniature one.
Having a flying protoype does not mean that the thing is efficient enough or cost effective enough to reach the production stage.

Dr Honda

My Feedback: (4)

Absolutely. I understand. last we talked he said he needed to make a change to the NGV to make it more cost effective. But Lambert (kolibri) can do it. I'm sure Gaspar will be able to also.

celso

Hello

Does it run on diesel ( ulsd ) ??
Regards

lov2flyrc

My Feedback: (24)

Dreamworks performs all Jetsmunt engine service in the USA, we have since we became the US dealer in 2004.... Including bearing changes and balancing.

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Oli, what is "a more position clutch engagement" mean?

And wow, 200N for $3390?

What a deal. If Todd, and Oli, can endorse these, they must be great.

We need more reliable, cost effective turbines out there. Great job guys!

rhklenke

My Feedback: (24)

I'm assuming he means "a more positive clutch engagement" - meaning that a brushless motor starts faster than a brushed motor, and thus the clutch will be spun out faster and engage the turbine shaft faster with less slippage on the O-ring - which would reduce o-ring wear...

Bob

FenderBean

I like this more bang for the buck, very nice is there any fuel burn data available? The price has peaked my interest for my next project

Gary Arthur

My Feedback: (29)

+1

philjac94

Pricing for Australian and New Zealand customers.

All servicing and repairs are done by us, in most cases a 3 day turn around. Typical bearing change overnight.

http://jetproductsaustralia.com/home

sysiek

My Feedback: (176)

I think this will be my next turbine ,own two vt-80 s the best turbine on the market .

olnico

You're absolutely right Sysiek. The VT-80 has got the best price-to-thrust-to-weight ratio of all the engines available on the market right now.
It also features the lower TFSC of all the engine in the 20N to 160N range and is incredibly reliable.
Not many people realize it, but what Gaspar achieved with the VT-80 is absolutely phenomenal. Especially considering the small size of the engine.

http://www.ultimate-jets.net/blogs/j...ur-application

olnico

550 gram/min at full thrust per manufacturer spec. Extremely low for the size. This together with the lowest weight in its class on the market makes for an incredible TFSC figure of 0.040.
Installed weight with 5 minutes of fuel is 4513 grams. A quantity equivalent of 2.713 kg of fuel or 3.5 litres/ 118 fl.oz will be enough for 10 minutes of flight in most cases.

olnico

You're absolutely correct Bob. One word missing here.

The benefits of the all digital control chain is also very evident in the engine weight saving.
Being able to use brusless motors makes the pump and starter motor much lighter.
The valves in the engine save tubing weight as well.

But the real expertize from Gaspar shows in the engine frame weight saving. He managed to shed almost 100 grams compared to its competitors by optimizing the engine design on CAD and choosing high spec materials.

It will take many, many years to its competitors to match the power-to-weight ratio and TFSC, all price considerations excluded.

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Its about time we see brushless motors in our turbines. Talk about ZERO maintenance and more precise control.

When brushless motors hit the R/c world, my mind was blown.

I hope that we can change over to the brushless fuel pumps in our brushed engines! Very unlikely I feel.

Oli, I'm out of money man, I can't buy anymore of all these turbines you keep throwing out here!!!

philjac94

The M200XBL showing her performance.
http://youtu.be/76XPBm9897M

roger.alli

But Raff, don't you think one of these would look great nestled inside a BVM F-100.. (I think I can see one in my future!!)

Roger