Hello everyone, I have converted a P200 gas start to kerosene start, I have changed the start setting on the ECU version 6 to kerostart as per the instructions, now, with a fresh 7.4v 2s lipo (5000mah) ( and correct battery setting on ECU) the engine will happily ignite every time, however the time between the initial ignition and main fuel feed is is so long that the ignition times out, however i have had 5 or 6 successful starts resulting in full running of the engine but far more failed starts (ignition time outs) I don't really want to change it back to gas start but if no one has any ideas to a solution I will not have a choice.

Is there a way of adjusting the time between ignition and main fuel feed?

Any advice would really help

Steve

It might be worth giving Colin Straus a ring as he has his P200 converted to kero start and it starts fine. Maybe you could check settings.

John

Hi John, would you happen to have a telephone number for colin if you could pm it to me or ask him to contact me? Thank you in advance for your time,

Steve

I would bump up the UA1 by a couple of clicks and try it. This will give the motor more starting fuel and get it to the "full kero" stage quicker, helping the start go faster.
Vin..

Yep I'm with Vin!

Pump setup menu for V5.0K and newer ECUs.
Press and hold the Limits key then press the + key. This will enter the new pump and NiCad battery
cell count menu. To exit, press any blue key.
There are 3 selections available. 1 = U-accelr1, 2 = U-accelr2, 3 = number of NiCad cells (6-10
selectable). Change U-accelr1

I guess the pump start voltage is between .175 and 2. Increase it two steps with what you are saying.
Is it an old pump? How many tanks between the breather and pump?

Dave

Thank you for the advice Vin,

Hi Dave,

U-acc1 currently reads 0.225
U-idle 0.91

It's in my Ultralightning with standard comp arf tanks and hopper, fuel pump is 4 inches from hopper tank, looking at this pump it looks pretty old, I am wondering if it is worth changing the pump, I'll try the uacc1 change first and see if it works, could it be because I am using a lipo battery? Maybe the voltage isnt holding? This is a brand new fully charged pack i am using. I am going through battery power like there is no tomorrow, flattens a 5000mah battery really quickly, from fully charged 6 start attempts and 60% power remaining, but these are only start attempts as the ignition times out.

I will try it again! Wish me luck

Steve,
That is a very conservitve setting for UA1, this is common for propane start. Don`t worry about the pump or trying to copy someone elses settings. With kero start you need to make the settings for your install, pump condition, altitude and temp. The UA1 will advance in 25 incriments so two clicks will have you at .275. Some flame with kero start is normal so dont be concerned as the higher that UA1 goes there may be a little more flame during the start. Once this is set you should have no more issues for a long time.Give that a try and report back.
Vin..

Hi Vincent, I have just increased by two clicks, tried a start (failed) and repeated this all the way to .450 if anything it is getting worse, as usual it ignites straight away, then when it switches from ignition to kero full, there is a whining noise starting high pitch and gets lower in tone, electric starter motor stops and low rpm displays on GSU, just tried this with another freshly charged 5000mah pack. Very frustrating as I don't really want to remove the turbine from my lightning to convert it back to gas as it will be a pain in the a@@ if I have a glow plug fail as this is not the most straight forward model to be taking your engine in and out of for a plug change!

Arrrrgh [:@]



Anyone wanna buy an ultra lightning........... (the engine is very reliable!!!! ) only kidding......

Steve

I have never had to use more than .275 and most of my Kero start turbines are .200 .225. Colins UL with a P-160SE ext Kero is .225 and flames more than I'd really like.
Fuel pumps have a life, if used regularly 20-25 hours, but run and stored or not used much, I find they die earlier, probably small moisture content in fuel cause corrosion on the steel gears working the poor brushed motors hard.
It could also be a kero burner issues, the high current use says it could be pulling a lot of amps and not getting that hot. Can you get a finger near the burner to feel the heat? It should be quite warm to the touch. The 200 does use more of everything starting, but something is not right if you have to go above .275

Dave

Yup, had the same problem with my conversion.

Download the latest manual, it's all in there. There is a fine line between reasonable start times and flames out the back, so up the voltage a bit at a time!

Don.

An update to my conversion saga, had enough of messing around so took turbine out of ultra lightning, put on test stand tried a jetcat pump from my other jetcat on this engine, and 8 consecutive successful starts, tried old pump and serious issues, problem solved me thinks!!! Old pump scrapped, new pump will be ordered!!!

Thank you for everyones advice, greatly appreciated

Dave Will you be at Weston Zoyland jet meet tomorrow? If so any chance of you bringing a new pump if you have one in stock?

Thank you in advance



Steve

Steve

Yes, at Weston Zoyland, unfortunately finished loading up and left the office about half an hour ago and won't be going back, don't have a pump at home, sorry.

Dave

Steve,
I assumed your old fuel pump was starting and running perfect on propane?? if that is the case i find it hard to believe now its suddenly inop on kero start?? Make sure you do not have the fuel and gas start valves reversed on the jet when you did the conversion.Also if you are using the 3mm propane tubing replace it with 4mm for kero start.
Vin...

Vin

I've had pumps flying till the last flight and next time nothing! Infact had just that call today from another customer who has a P-80SE, last flight fine, went to fly today, zip. Changed pump and perfect.
Brushed motors for you

D

Yeah, i suppose...for me they seem to just get tired where the motor doesnt get to full rpm. Oh well its not a good day if you dont learn something new...
Vin...

Vin

Great thing about life, always another perspective

Dave