Jet Central Falcon Issue
03-08-2020, 02:38 PM
#1
Jet Central Falcon Issue
As I slowly plan my re-entry into the jet world after 1.5 decades of absence, I have an issue. I bought an Elan off of a guy about ten years ago with Jet Central Falcon in it. We ran it in his driveway and all was good way back then. I am trying to get this thing whipped into shape and flying again. All of his Li-Ion cells were understandably crap so I bought all new LiFe A123s. In the Jet Central manual, it says on page 13, Sect. 3.3 Pump/Starter Battery: "the ICS can work with pump battery voltages from 4.8 to 15 volts in auto start mode." I have a four cell LiFe, assuming 3.6 volts per cell that makes it a 14.4 volt nominally battery. The data terminal is showing about 10.6 volts (the battery is not fully charged). But the Falcon's data terminal keeps giving me an error saying "battery over voltage". What is going on here???? 10.6 is less than 15 volts!
Any ideas? Thanks guys.....
Any ideas? Thanks guys.....
03-08-2020, 02:48 PM
#2
Typically I see 3 cell LiFes being used on turbines. But even then sometimes they have to run the 3 cell a bit to knock the initial voltage down before High Voltage error messages like that go away.
Also, a LiFe battery may be rated at 3.6 volts per cell. But initially the voltage is a bit higher. Then after a bit of use, the voltage stays around 3.6 volts for most of its delivery. Once the majority of mah is delivered, the voltage drops off rapidly.
Also, a LiFe battery may be rated at 3.6 volts per cell. But initially the voltage is a bit higher. Then after a bit of use, the voltage stays around 3.6 volts for most of its delivery. Once the majority of mah is delivered, the voltage drops off rapidly.
03-08-2020, 03:19 PM
#3
My Feedback: (67)
I believe the earlier Jet Central turbines ran off 2s lipo. However I believe they could be programmed to run off a 3 life...but not sure.
i would post this in jet central turbine forum.
In addition this is an old post i dug up
Voltage input for falcon 100 ECU ?
i would post this in jet central turbine forum.
In addition this is an old post i dug up
Voltage input for falcon 100 ECU ?
03-08-2020, 04:14 PM
#4
The only valid options on the old Xicoy ECU's was a 2 cell Lipo or a 3 cell A123.
The old manuals copied info from Xicoy and were misleading on the stated ECU voltage range.
The only way to change the battery type is knowing the factory password to get into the internal parameters.
If you had it running on a 3 cell A123 previously then you will need to use that style, if you want to run a 2 cell lipo, then the internal battery type parameter will need to be changed.
I can remember people running A123 having issues when starting the first time after a charge, they would get the an over voltage alarm until the voltage dropped a bit on the battery.
I always ran 2 cell lipo's on mine with no issues...
The old manuals copied info from Xicoy and were misleading on the stated ECU voltage range.
The only way to change the battery type is knowing the factory password to get into the internal parameters.
If you had it running on a 3 cell A123 previously then you will need to use that style, if you want to run a 2 cell lipo, then the internal battery type parameter will need to be changed.
I can remember people running A123 having issues when starting the first time after a charge, they would get the an over voltage alarm until the voltage dropped a bit on the battery.
I always ran 2 cell lipo's on mine with no issues...
03-09-2020, 11:45 AM
#12
What version ECU do you have?
Does it have the old phone type connector plug for the hand data terminal like what was shown in the old manual, which had a loose plastic covering (I still have one of these in good working order) or was it upgraded to the Aluminum housing version (Ver 6), or was it upgraded to the last version in the small plastic housing (Version 10)?
Version 10 has the battery selection option in the factory parameters, I can't remember if version 6 did, I think so, I'll have to look.
Does it have the old phone type connector plug for the hand data terminal like what was shown in the old manual, which had a loose plastic covering (I still have one of these in good working order) or was it upgraded to the Aluminum housing version (Ver 6), or was it upgraded to the last version in the small plastic housing (Version 10)?
Version 10 has the battery selection option in the factory parameters, I can't remember if version 6 did, I think so, I'll have to look.
03-09-2020, 11:48 AM
#13
This is what I do.
I also run older engines, the 2 cell LIFE may give you starting problems, it needs the voltage of a 2 cell LIPO, I'm runing a P80, P120, K140 and a TJT 3000 ( build from Artes's parts ) gas start with a 2 cell LIPO, my K80 I run with a 3 cell LIFE because it is a Kero start.
I also run older engines, the 2 cell LIFE may give you starting problems, it needs the voltage of a 2 cell LIPO, I'm runing a P80, P120, K140 and a TJT 3000 ( build from Artes's parts ) gas start with a 2 cell LIPO, my K80 I run with a 3 cell LIFE because it is a Kero start.
