Can JetCat be started with regular propane ?

PowerMax is becoming a bit difficult to find and I'm wondering if I can pump regular propane in the little can.


Thanks....... Johnny Hernandez

Hi Johnny:
You need a truck load of that stuff [X(]. Hey if it can be shipped. I would be happy to send some out. I just do not know the shipping on it

Dave

Dave, I really appreciate your kind gesture. The only place I can find that stuff is Sports Authority ( when they have it ). If someone tells me that I can start my JetCat with regular propane than I'm set, I just need to make sure that it is OK.

YES YOU CAN

Anyone else ?

I thought propane was under a lot more pressure . Have you considered going to kero start?

It would be great though to do it manually so you can open the propane valve very little until you here that BUGGG.

With a proper regulator that limits the pressure entering the turbine to an acceptable level like [link=http://s43500.sites99.storefront-hosting.com/detail.aspx?ID=50]this one[/link], a JetCat can be started using propane instead of Powermax.

Ed,
So that means you have to use an external hook up for starting gas and eliminate the onboard tank?? V..

The kero start is too fresh for me. I know Jetcat does their homework but it'll be a year or so before I make that change as I have quite a few of their turbines. I just bought a great propane valve from JMP for my new AMT Netherlands engines and it would be nice to just come out to the meets with just one setup for everything, instead of 20 different things.

Hi Vincent,

Yes, the regulator would have to be used with an external set-up for starting. I personally don't find it's a big deal but everyone's got their personal preferences.

That's what I'm trying to avoid. I would like to fill up the gas canister and let the turbine do its thing without me having to touch it.

Johnny, I start my jetcats and every other engine on straight propane off a coleman bottle using Great Northern's 17 buck attachment. Works like a charm every time.

Sean do you fill up the gas canister that comes from Jetcat and it does it all on its own ?

Hello,

JetCat USA does not recommend propane for starting gas as the vapor pressure of straight propane is much higher than the butane/propane mix.

In hot weather, the pressure can increase to a point that it will rupture the lines we use. Otherwise the motors start fine on it, but as you can imagine having lines burst in the pits and dumping a whole load of propane into the fuselage is not good.

Hope that helps,

Here's a picture of the new propane valve from JMP, works like a charm on the AMT Netherlands. The difference on the gas canister on the AMT is that it has an overflow.

And I see that Ed is recommending an external tank, I think that would be fine, I was speaking about having the propane in the model.

Nope, I'm on a straight line to the engine in most cases. As the engine starts I open the valve one or two clicks. Once I hear the engine start switching to Kero, I close the valve.

From the engine is a the three MM line, then at the canopy I have a 3mm to 4mm connection with a check valve.

I use the check to connect my propane.

Then when done I just lay the line inside the fuse.

And go fly.

Been doing it for over 150 starts now. Smooth as silk. I love it cause if there ever is a problem, I can shut off the fuel source right away. Immediately.

I consider it a very good safety measure.

You can run the propane through the normal tank onboard and the normal propane solenoid, and just feed propane from off board. That works too. I read what matt said, I have not had any vapor pressure issues in 110 degree texas heat. Don't think you will either.

Thank you very much Matt, that answers my question. I guess I'll have to suck it up and keep using Powermax.


Johnny Hernandez

That amt connector should work just like greatnorthern models.

Sean, thanks for the input bud. I'll stick with what they reccomend, as you know with my luck I'll blow myself up doing it manual.

So you are not running the propane in an on board tank then?

I have had 2 of them burst an onboard line in my face, one at Florida Jets in 1998 (my plane) and a KingCat burst a line the last time I went to Florida maybe 2 years ago.

But I think these external systems are fine as you do not have the propane under pressure in a hot line for a long period of time.

That's what I use to fill up the onboard tank on the AMT and it does it all on its own. Works beautyful as the JeCat does, just different starting methods.


Thank you all again.......... Johnny Hernandez

Hi Johnny,

Sorry our answers are out of sync here, we are posting while the other is posting.

For onboard systems, I would strongly recommend Powermax only.

For an offboard system, if carefully used I think it would be fine as Ed mentioned. I have not used an offboard system since RAM days but I had a bunch of starts on my old RAM with no problem with pressure.

But as I said I have had the onboards pop with my face 2 feet away in planes!

Good luck in any case,


EDIT I see now that AMT NL uses onboard, they make first class stuff so nothing I am saying should be construed as judging the AMT NL system!

Matt, I'll do as you reccomend, I dont need any problems. I just wanted to know if it could be done with the onboard system amd I see that it's a risk, with that said Powermax it is


Thanks again......... Johnny Hernandez