Hello,

Has anyone tried using the Jetcat ECU with the Simjet engine. I am having a lot of trouble with my Simjet ECU but I think the engine will be ok with a better ECU. Has anyone done this.
Will Jetcat sell the ECU alone?

I dont know about doing it that way. I however had a ram 750 converted to full auto start with simjet electronics. I love it. It is set up to run the same rpm as the 1700. It doesnt make as much thrust as the 1700 though. But none the less it runs great. My advice is to give simjet electronics a chance. I have three sets. After I got my new updated ecus everything is perfect.
The one thing I have noticed though. Is if my batteries are not completely toped off It doesnt start as well. Us jet guys charge before every flite any ways. Dont we?

I have gived Simjet 4 cahnces now (4 new ECU) and my engine still does not run good. Obviously their quality vary a lot from engine to engine. If I was happy with my Simjet ECU I would not be asking for advise on better options

Maybe the support is better in America as in Europe. Here it is impossible to get any help, both from the factory or the distributor which changes all the time. Every time I call it is a new distributor.

We have one system in stock, but I warn you it does not have a seperate manual you would need to refer to the normal JetCAT manuals and have us fill in the blanks via internet, no problem there i think, just trying to be thorough.

The system includes an ECU (version 4), Ground support unit (GSU), RPM sensing diodes for mounting to the turbine ( you need to figure a way, they are interrupted IR beam ususally goes through the compressor nut) and the thermocouple with adapter plugs.

It does not include a pump but should work with the Hausl pump if that is what simjet uses

Price, $US499 FOB California. There is only one left, I wish I had it, great for homebuilts!!

Contact JetCAT USA if interested (www.jetcatusa.com, (818) 874 9309) or PM me here on RCUniverse.

Thank you MAtt,

Do you know if anyone has tried this combination with a Simjet turbine?

Hello Gerhard,

No I do not know if anyone has tried it, I will research that and get back to you.

Hello Gerhard,

I had troubles too with the SimJet ECU, and replaced it by a FADEC Autostart (www.espiell.com). It is direct replacement, it uses a hall sensor that work ok with the simjet system, no need to install IR diodes. I'm very pleased with the performance, you can adjust all the parameters that you want, and read in the LCD screen all the measures. Also it have a memory that store the measures from the engine each 0,5s to allow a postflight analisys. I payed about 280E for it, aprox 260$.
A marginal benefit is that it is lightweight and I reduced the installed weight in about 450g (1 pound)

Regards,

Lou

Lou,

I was not even thinking about the IR or Hal sensor. So you are saying the Simjet use a different sensor than Jetcat.

The Simjet ECU is also FADEC. Do you think there is a difference between their FADEC and the one you recommend? Does anyone know if Simjet build their own ECU or they buy it from someone else.

(You would think they build it themselves by someone on drugs the way they work.)

Hello Gerhard,

Don't know who build the Simjet ECU. I opened mine and the printed board say Simjet, so seems that it is custom.

The system that I reccomend is build in Spain by Gaspar Espiell, and this is the ECU that TJT, Artesjet and Wren use in his engines.

Simjet use a hall sensor (magnetic) and JetCat a infrared barrier.

For what Gaspar said me, one of the big differences between the Infrared barrier and hall sensor is that the IR supply 2 pulses each turn, and the hall effect only one.


Lou

I flew my Kangaroo today with my Simjet 3000 and the FADEC from Gaspar Espiell. What a difference. The engine runs great, no more flameouts.

If you are a Simjet owner I can highly recommend this ECU. Not only makes it the Simjet engine work, it also gives you all kinds of read outs that never where available with the Simjet ECU's. I am sure not going to miss the 3 'idiot lights'. where you do not know what is happening. Thanks Eaglejet, you advise has saved me from giving the Simjet the sledgehammer treatment it truly deserved. At the same time I also was able to wet sand the cover of the engine and paint it with automotive paint. This looks great in the same colour as my Kangaroo, plus it saves me the embarassment of being recognized as a Simjet customer.

Now I just need the people from the Simjet factory to get back to me with a valid explanation of why they lied with the thrust and does not want to fix the problem and I will be happy again

What kind of thrust do you have now?
Have you measured it?

so now that you have this ecu does the autostart motor function?or do you have to air start it?

You should investigate the GB Hobby TCU for your Simjet if you are going to use a different ecu. Their web site is http://users.iafrica.com/g/gt/gtrollip/tcu.html
I can highly recommend these units. I did my first series of autostarts on my Moore's Turbine MW54 today with the GB TCU. It uses a Hall-ring magnetic sensor, or IR LED's, as you prefer. The user gets COMPLETE control over the start ramp as well as the idle to full power ramp. EGT and RPM are monitored for full control and safety. They have dealers in the UK, USA, Canada (me), Australia, etc. etc.

Good Luck,
Len