Gents,

my son and I just completed assembly of this marvelous little engine. I purchased the unassembled version but had the company electronically balance the shaft / compressor assembly. We thoroughly enjoyed taking a bunch of metal and screwing it together last night.

Dennis was merely a phone call / e-mail away when I wasn't 100% sure of the instructions. It just can't get any easier. The kit wasn't perfect but darn close. My kit was missing 6 screws (which delayed us a day) and the hall magnet for the DECU. (Should be enroute)

If anyone is interested I'll provide more information this weekend after we run it or you can e-mail direct.

many thanks to Dennis.

buck

G'day Buck !

So - are you gonna let Blaise fly this engine ? Or does he just get to help assemble it for Dad to play with ?

Gordon

Hey Gordon,

well....since he did help assemble it he will get to fuel it, start it and shut it down. I might even let him buff the wax on the bird. LOL

As far as flying, I think an AV8TR will fit the bill nicely. The plane looks like a lot of fun to buid. However, the 54 is going in my
T-38 initially and possibly the F-16 (later). Don't see him tossing the White Mouse around anytime soon.

I haven't decided if I want the extra thrust ( and weight ) of the Merk in my F-16. Hopefully, I'll get some good feedback on BVs F-16 from the folks @ Superman.

when are ya' coming down again? Gotta get you some sim time.

take care,

Buck

how much was it?

Buck,
Last Sunday I went to the field to fly my under-powered Ziroli Panther ONE MORE TIME.
After yet another dissapointing flight, I began thinking about turbine-izing it. My first thought was the Wren/JDE 54, but after a couple of minutes thought, I started thinking how much better it would be with a JetCat p80. (even more thrust). Then, after a few more minutes' thought I had convinced myself to just go for the JetCat P120 with future projects in mind.

Today, I called JetCat USA only to find that there is a 4-6 week wait for a P120.

If you don't mind my asking, what is the current price of the JDE 54 kit like you have, and do you know if they are readily available?
I dearly love my old Panther and want to fly it, but I'm afraid I'll lose interest if I have to wait 4-6 weeks.

Thanks, Johnny

I'd love to get some... Not sure yet when I may make it down there. Right now I have the wrinkleys (parents in law) visiting for a month.

I would like to get down there sometime tho. D'ya have any good meets coming up ?

Gordon

Littlepiston and Johnny,

the unassembled version is $1680 + s/h. I paid $65 for the electronic balance. I am told that the static balancing works just fine but I didn't mind paying the extra bones.

The kits are in stock. I think the T-38 is going to have excellent performance. The T-38 weighed 14 1/4 - 3/4 lbs (it's been a year since I weighed it) with all the Ram 500 equipment. The 54's components (ECU, Batt and fuel pump) weigh next to nothing. I have pix from Duke Chung showing the layout of all the pieces if anyone wants to see what you get in the box. Really a neat and SO FAR a fun project. Once I get the hall magnet for the rpm sensor and run the engine, I'll let you know how it goes.

lots of fun,

Buck

Gordon,

don't know of any meets anytime soon, except for Mesa in November. I want to organize my own meet down here but it will be a while before I can accomplish that task.

c'ya

Johnny,

Dennis just shipped me a full up autostart and tested engine today.. Hope to get it by end of week or early next week.

I'll try and get some info to you when I get it running on the bench and installed on the airplane.. Plan to test flight out at Reese AFB in Lubbock..

10,000 feet of free and clear runway..

nearest tree is 1 mile away hehehe

Cowdog.

Johnny,

all of JDE engines are available. unassembled, least expensive, to assembled air start and lastly assembled auto start. check out their website JDEnterprise.net for accurate prices.

Cowdog can verify but I think the full up autostart was just shy of $2100.

ofcourse you can give the boyz in Thailand a jingle. I have seen the PST 600 in operation. Real sweet piece of gear.

good luck,

buck

Cowdog,

save some of that Texas sky for me. hope to make it to Lubbock next time.

what was the cost on that full up auto start tested turbine you have on the way?

Go go go go go.

He he Buck you are going to beat me running your 54. I guess its the Polynesian paralysis out here lol. Looks like we are going to run 3 jde 54's next week, as our buddy's Larry and Nando are on Drill this weekend. You might want to break in the pump with a 4 cell and a looped tank with Kero to get it ready to run. Al said his pump was a little stiff when he first tried to use it.

Our friend Larry is going to get a RAM 500 So it looks like we are going to be the 12 lbs capital of the Pacific. We have Woddy with his J600's, Me and Al with JDE 54's, And Larry with his Ram 500. All we need now is someone to get a simjet 1200 and a Moores 54 and we will have the whole gambit.

I really looking fwd to flying the engine soon. I was thinking of modifying my Ultra Viper with bigger wings, So I can have a Small Bandit.

Buck,
Thanks for the reply and info. I may go that way. Like you, I think I'd feel better with the electronic balance option. I've dealt with Dennis before, and have complete confidence in him and his products.

Cowdog,
I'll be interested in hearing your your results. Please keep me in mind after you've tested it. Are you going to have the capability of measuring static thrust?

Johnny

Duke,

Polynesian paralysis (good one) I'm not even trying hard to beat you.

Gents, Duke is the one who sold me on the engine. He said, "if you can build an R/C car you can build this engine". No kidding it was that simple. had to deburr a couple of holes but overall the stuff just went together. Many thanks amigo.

BTW I ran the pump just a little bit a go. boy can that little thing kick out some fuel. Go to 5Bears website and check out the even smaller fuel pump he's using from the same German company. I might try one later, every ounce counts right? LOL

Texan,

no sweat amigo. love this hobby.

I have the #6 engine kit, and have just over 7 hours run time on it (about 80 runs!) since June.

I measuredmy static thrust with a scale and it was just a hair over 12 pounds.

I have the electric starter but I am using the FADEC semi auto start ECU. Works really, really well.

My Hausel pump was really tight, I ended up having to remove 1 thou off the inside of the cover to clear the gears. Now it runs reliably but when it was tight one run would be OK, then the next would have a hot (or NO) start.

Now it starts perfect every time and no flaming at all. Mine is statically balanced as per Wren's instructions and is running without any vibes at all RPM's up to 160,000.

The 54' is a great engine. I received less than thrilling service from Dennis, but it seems maybe I was an isolated incident.

Enjoy your engine, it is a gem!

AJC

Johnny,

I'll let you know. I also bought a test stand from Dennis that can accomadate engines up to 35lbs of thrust. So it should be fine for measuring the ol JDE54 ehhehe. Not sure if he has any left, you might want to give him a buzz.

I'll be putting mine in a Y/A F-18 single.. Already has quite a few flights as a DF, can't wait for the turbine version..

As for price, I think its on their website for $2100 for the autostart assembled and tested? Best bet is to email Dennis... good guy to talk to on the phone..

Cowdog

Johnny,

Check with the guys at RCAirWorld (http://www.rcairworld.com). They are expecting some P-120's very soon I believe and might have one available to sell you sooner than 4-6 weeks. The P-120 is a great engine from what I've seen and I love my P-80, which is destined for a 110% Ziroli Panther.

Bob

Well, I doubt a P 120 would be enough for a 110% Panther. 4600 lbs from the Pratt copy of the R & R Nene was barely enough for the 100% one ! (sorry, can't resist ! <g>)

Bernard

Hey, that's a 110% *Ziroli* Panther. 79" wing span (vs. 72" for the 100% *Ziroli* Panther) , not 50 some feet!

klenker
Thanks for the tip on the guys at RCAirWorld. I'll give them a call as soon as I finish this post.

BernieG,
We'll have to watch out for you Oklahoma guys. You can't put anything past you.

klenker
RE: your 110% Ziroli Panther...I have almost finished the plug for my 127% Ziroli Panther. 1/5th scale: 91.2" wingspan. I'm afraid it will require a JetCat P160, at least
Johnny

Yahoo!!!! ran the engine yesterday. it started with no problems and patiently waited for me to stop high 5'n my son before we shut it down.

We let it heat soak at 90K to seat the bearings on the first run and then eased it up to 120k on the second run. not a lick of vibration with smooth transitions in all ranges of throttle movement. Next run will bring her all the way up to max power (160K) yikes!!! You should have felt the push at 120K!! I can hardly wait.

The DECU parameters are a good start. Pump start point 18 and start ramp of 4 worked just fine.

Although it's not mentioned in the manual, I would recommend pre-lubing the bearings with aprox 10cc of your oil mix. rotate the compressor nut by hand to ensure complete coverage. on the first start up ensure you have a good (ie. fully charged air blower) source of air and don't be suprised if you see some flames on start up. monitor the EGT to ensure it is not excessive and keep the air going through the engine. Also, prior to cutting the O-ring which seals the outer case to the compressor face, wrap it around as if you were to install it. my manual states 252mm but that was going to be too short. measure thrice cut once, eh?

another highlight of the start but easily rectified by a quick call to JDE was the rpm reading on initial install. as the engine sat ready for the first run the rpm sensor was indicating anywhere from 12.5 - 16.5K. What the F? did I put it in backward? ofcourse it shouldn't be reading anything right? so I thought, but Dennis assured me this was normal due to the hall sensor magnet. a quick blast of air had the compressor spinning and giving a true reading. no worries mate! whew!

much like any other manual start engines (yes, I willing admit, I love manual starts) hit the glow, hit the air, off the air, hit the propane (whoomp) hit the air, increase the propane slightly, remove the glow, continue with the air and watch for fuel flow. monitor the EGT and keep the air blowing until you approach idle rpm. monitor the EGT as you come off the air and ensure the engine is stabilized at idle prior to buttoning up the hatches and releasing your assistant from the fire bottle.

most of my questions to JDE during construction and prior to initial run were unnecessary but allowed me to confirm with 100% accuracy what the instruction manual was telling me. (also many thanks to Duke Chung for lending a helping hand and providing valuable advice throughout the construction phase) I thought the DECU manual was very straight forward and easy to follow. The programming of the transmitter / DECU interface was painless.

Unfortunately, my work schedule will delay flight evaluation for a few weeks.

Thus far, I'm impressed with the JDE 54. It is reasonably priced, serviced in the USA and AMA approved. Best of all, it has to be the lightest installation in the 12lb thrust motor class on the market. not bad for $1775 (unassembled version with electronic balance and $30 s/h) assuming you don't have to pay Ca tax.

hope you boyz don't mind the update, I'm very excited. Pix of install and flight photos to follow.

Buck

Buck,
I opted for the electric starter on mine, and it is sweet. Still semi auto start, that is all I am using the electric motor for is to spin up the turbine for starting but also to cool it down after my run.

I just plug in my 6 cell battery pack with attached switch as I get ready to start. You still have to do the glow and propane as with an air start, but at 30,000 I switch off the starter motor, disconect my glowplug clip, propane line and unplug the starter battery (I use sermos connectors). Upon landing, and taxiing back to the flightline I simply plug in the battery, kill the turbine and manually switch on and off the starter motor untill the turbine reads less than 50 degrees. The starts are way faster with the electric motor, and cool down takes less than 30 seconds. I would carry the starter battery on board and have the switch servo operated but I took it out to save weight in my Reaper.

The spun cowl also adds much to the appearance of the engine (if you see it that is).

Andrew

Make a mold for it !

Bernard

Johnny- how is the big kitty coming along?? sounds like its progressing well have you got any new pics? I hope to be receiving my new PST- ARF Panther within the next few weeks! destined for MW54 power.
Every time I think of your 1/5 scale Panther its like Homer and donuts for me!
mmmmmmbiiiigpantherrrrrrrr !!!!

Cheers- Marty

How does JDE have you balance the rotating assembly? Does the life of the engine or the amount of maintenance needed depend on the accuracy of the balance?

I would like to read JDE's instruction manual; is it available somewhere?

Thanks,

Ozcan asked:
"Johnny- how is the big kitty coming along?? "

Marty,
I'm still about where I was when we corresponded earlier. My mold maker has been too busy with money making work.
Hopefully, I will get the mold made and a fuselage pulled before winter sets in. Til then, here's a photo of the plug next to my "aircraft carrier"
Johnny