How do I start this thing?
 

I bought a JHH F-16 off a guy. It has a K&B 40 and I'm not sure what kind of fan. The problem is that I don't see how I'm supposed to start it. The nose of the fan unit has been shaven off and a regular starter cone doesn't fit on it, not that you would get it in there anyway. Does anybody have any ideas on how to fix this or even tell me how this should have been from the factory.

Thanks
Dale

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Looks like some of the fan blades have damage!

Be careful!

Dave

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

You use a starter belt (the type that is used with a boat or heli). It looks like a turbaux fan from Jet Hangar hobbies.

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

I agree with rcguy! the fan blades look like they're broken. Please b very careful. To answer your question I sold a JHH F-16 this year along with the required STARTER PROBE. I have one left and will post a pic tomorrow. It fits inside the "cone" and has a one-way nut on the end. The other end is attached to an electic starter. Good luck!

David:D:D:D

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Yep, in the middle picture there is definite damage to at least one fan blade. Its gonna shake like h_ll! Call JHH and get a new fan.

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

It appears that the intake has been hogged out for starting-belt clearance. The leading edges of the blades may heve been nicked slightly from contact with said belt.

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Well, isn't that wonderfull. I bought if off a fellow here on RCU, maybe he'll buck up and get a new one too me along with the servo's that he already said he would send me. Looks like I'm at the bad end of the deal here.

Dale

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

You don't want to be in the area when a blade lets go.

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

grbaker is right, you don't want to be near when a fan goes bad. I have fans by 3 different manufacturers and I've had to replace a Byron set of blades before. I would reccomend you call JHH and get a new set of blades too.

David

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Dig it,

I have a turbaux 1 fan shroud with no fan blades if you need it. You can get the rest of the fan from JHH PM me if you want it. I think $10.00 will cover shipping and I can send you pic's
if you want to see it. I got the fan with my F-14 plans on Ebay.

Regards,
Dan Crawford

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Dale,

If your hand will fit, you can start that engine by hand. Just snap the rotor against the compression after you prime the engine. Just make sure the engine is set to idle and you can get your fingers out quickly. You will need a new fan. The blades are not separate on the Turbax fans. Just remember to balance your new fan. Personally, I've seen Turbax powered planes fly for year with more damage than that... however I wouldn't trust or recommend it.

Mark M.

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Isn't anyone going to comment on the rest of the junk surrounding that fan unit.
You'r not really going to fly that!!? Get your money back.

m

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Mick,

I've seen worse fly. As long as the airframe is safe who cares if it is a bit messy.

Mark M.

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

I have a lot of ducted fan equiment and one airplane for sale. I have a JHH Fan for 7.5 engine for $15.00. I agree a lot of other work needs to be done to clean up the ducting.
I can be reached at [email protected] or 303-757-4082 Denver, CO.

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than try to hand-start that, though I know people do it.
Belt starting works, I have done it with the turbax many times. Kavan, I think, sells the belt.
I would not worry TOO much about the nicks on the fan. It should be fine. I've seen and flown worse.
That being said, the RIGHT thing to do, from a safety point of view, now that you have shown the pics, is to replace the rotor. Just in case.
But I would probably throw on a pair of goggles and run it up and see, I really don't think it will be a problem. But I'm not paying the surgery bill if you DO get hurt!
It looks like the nose was cut off the cone to get a starter wand in there, a starter wand is somewhat safer. But the belt will work.

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Tower has belts. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...lt&FVPROFIL=++

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Mark, a bit messy! If thats an indication of the workmanship what's the rest of it like? If it ever gets into the air it will probably be doing 120 mph, glad its over there and I'm over here.

M

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Mick,

Planes like this used to be commonplace. If it safely gets a new jet jock in the air, it's a great plane. 120 mph may be optimistic with the bad ducting and open gear bays so I wouldn't worry too much about that. The key is, everyone needs to start somewhere. The JHH line all seem to fly well and allow for less than perfect builders to be sucessful.

Mark

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Well said, Mark Mallory.
With a K&B40(?) and no ducting, it might make 80 with a tailwind, that's my guess. I don't know about the rest of the plane, but I have seen worse than what is in the pic, and I've FLOWN worse!

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

I have all the ducting, its just not in the model right now because I have to replace the servo's. The inside needs some tlc for sure and I'll take care of that, don't fret, It'll be air worthy before it goes up. I'll probably run the engine on a test stand with that fan to see if the engine is working fine and then get a new one. Seems there's a few parts around (noted above). The rest of the airframe is in good shape minus a few skid marks on the exhaust nozzle, so thats not a problem. The gear is in good shape, and retracts nicely. I'm not sure is I care about the gear doors, all I bought this for is a little more experiance over prop jets before I load my turbine into a jet. Lots of people go straight from prop jets to turbine but I thought I'd go the extra step. G3 is fun and I can fly the bajesus out of every turbine on it but a little stick time on a DF would really boost my confidence.
Thanks for all the info people. I'm taking it to heart.

Dale

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

I cant see the front screw/bolt/nut inside the nose cone but if its a socket head cap screw its possible that a ball end wrench starter wand typical for helis could have been used.

Thats the way I ended up doing my Byron fans cause I got tired of pushing hard against a nose cone for friction starts.

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Beware that if you have to hit the ball at an off-angle, the starter probe can wear pretty quickly, and that the original owner might have had good reasons for using a belt, you might want to ask him about that.

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Hi,

If it's your first DF (and it lookslike it is;)) get some help on the field from someone that knows this stuff... I would!

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Well, thats part of the problem. There is no-one here that flies DF. I might luck out with some people in Cold Lake. We'll see.

RE: How do I start this thing?
 

Vasek is absolutely right, get some help at your field. You'll be amazed at how many people will help you. I started flying in 2002 and I got a lot of help then........and now![8D][8D][8D]

David