96vette

My Feedback: (3)

I noticed recently that the exhaust cone has been glowing orange but only on one side. Is this normal or should I be concerned?

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Almost all turbine are hotter at the 5 o'clock postion, looking at the back of the motor.

Is this where you are seeing the glowing? If so it is proabably normal. How are your EGTs looking?

96vette

My Feedback: (3)

it appears to be more around the three o'clock position....I'll run it this evening and snap a picture. The EGT hovers around 500C but I'll check the GSU and find out the max.

96vette

My Feedback: (3)

I took a picture of the exhaust while running however the picture didn't show the orange glow at the three o'clock position.[link]http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL164/1353727/2574695/43490252.jpg[/link]


So I shut it down, turned out the lights and this is what happened on the next startup [link]http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL164/1353727/2574695/43490128.jpg[/link]


I have noticed the flames out the exhaust have been increasing during each startup. any ideas?
the last startup max temp was 555c

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

And the 3 o'clock thing is in all likelihood the same issue I am talking about, basically all turbines are hotter in that spot. We think it comes from whipping up any fuel from the bottom of the motor up into the combustion process. It swirls up into the 4-5 o'clock region.

As for that flame, it really depends on how long that flame come out. If it only come out for maybe 2 or 3 seconds, it is not bad, and you temps are OK.

Are you getting plenty of starting gas in it? I mean is your Powermax can getting empty?

96vette

My Feedback: (3)

Actually the flame got bigger and brighter and it wasn't picking up RPM's and after about 15 seconds I did an immediate stut down. I will check the starting gas tank and lines but I did refill the tank prior to that startup.

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Sounds like something is wrong. What ECU do you have? We might be able to adjust some parameters in the ECU to fix that

You want to set up a time to try to do it over the phone? Mush easier that way.

Nick Yuhasz

My Feedback: (11)

The increased flames each startup could be the new fuel pump motor is getting broke in and you need to lower the "start voltage" for the fuel pump.

Perhaps Mr. Matt could confirm this with you.

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Hi Nick,

That's exactly what I think it is. It is just easier to talk it out over the phone, but here are the written instructions.

The first thing I would do is lower the pump start voltage.

If the pump start voltage is adjusted too high, the turbine maybe supplied with too much
fuel during start up. This could result excessive flames and high temperatures

Calibrating the Pump

1.) Disconnect the fuel (keosene) supply to the turbine. If the fuel supply to the turbine is not disconnected /
interrupted the turbine can be filled with fuel during the following adjustment
procedure!!!

2.) Switch off ECU and plug in GSU (RC transmitter is not being used)

3.) Press and hold "Change Value/Item" key on the GSU then switch on the ECU (the receiver)

4.) Release the "Change Value/Item" when the display of the GSU shows the following:

pump start volt:
Uaccelr1:

5.) By pressing the "Run" key, the pump will run at the current "pump start voltage" value. Try it now.

6.) The pump start voltage should now be adjusted in such a manner, that the pump just
begins to steadily turn and that the fuel is delivered in a thin fuel stream (a little bit more
than just dripping out of the tubing).

To increase the pump start voltage by one increment, press the "Arrow +" key.
To decrease the pump start voltage by one increment, press the "Arrow -" key.

A trick I use is to have a stream that is just turning from a stream to a series of rapid drips, and then increasing the voltage by one increment past that setting

7.) At the end of the adjustment procedure press the "Manual" key to store the new setting
and resume to normal operation.


Good luck,

96vette

My Feedback: (3)

Thanks, Mr. Matt & Nick

I'll check and adjust the pump voltage. I believe I have ECU version 4.9
the engine has 1:43 min total run time.

also:
Is the P200 available?

96vette

My Feedback: (3)

Here's a picture of the bench setup [link]http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL164/1353727/2574695/43490196.jpg[/link]


Here's what I fly [link]http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL164/1353727/2574695/39186735.jpg[/link]
[link]http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL164/1353727/2574695/39186725.jpg[/link]

Richard Buescher

Remember you can start the engine 5-7 times on one powermax fill up. Fill till the bubbles slow down.
That may help....
Could that be the cause???

Matt your PM box is full. (don't mean to step on your shoes ...)

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Still waiting on the AMA situation. Many are coming in, so as soon as the AMA figures out what they are doing they shold start shipping.

We have shipped a few to aerospace users BTW

96vette

My Feedback: (3)

Hi guys...

just an update: I lowered the pump voltage, replaced the glow plug, cleaned the filters and decreased the amount I had been filling in the onboard starting gas tank. Now my startups have been flawless also improved the throttle response.

[link]http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL164/1353727/2574695/43978743.jpg[/link]

Thanks!

Nick Yuhasz

My Feedback: (11)

That's great to hear!

I have always found that if a JetCat doesn't start it is probably something I did wrong (forget to open manual fuel valve, etc.)! You can't say that about other brands of turbines.

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

Glad to hear it. I think we made a really good move in simplifying the pump adjustment parameters and then making them available to the end user. They used to be much more involved and only accessable if the ECU was unlocked.


Feel free to contact us if you have any other questions,

Regards,

Matt