Avoiding static
 

Now that I'm planning to buy a Jetcat P160SX turbine, I started getting worried about the possibility of static in my plane.

We've never had any static related events in our club (everybody flying Jet Central turbines) but this being the first Jetcat and after reading that they could be more prone to problems related to it, I wonder what can I do in order to minimize the chance of static building up in my plane.

I'm planning to use the Anti Static Fuel Additive and I'm going to replace the hose of my Jersey Modeller fueler with an Anti Static hose. Anything else that you guys have tried that you would think that could work ? Lowering the speed of the fueler pump ? Throwing some water on top of the fueler ?

How do you ground the most important components inside the plane (pictures will be appreciated......)

By the way, our average humidity goes between 50 - 60 %, but around 16:00 hrs it could drop to levels of 20%

RE: Avoiding static
 

Gonzalo,

Static electricity is generated during filling. So the best thing you can do to minimize it is to slow down your fill rate. Put a smaller battery on your fill pump and use large diameter hose all the way to the tank. My fueler filles at about one liter per minute.

The anti static additive doesn't eliminate static, it raises the conductivity of the fuel so that it can hold more of a charge. That helps because there is less excess charge to be transferred to conductive components. The anti static hose won't do much unless it's grounded.

Joe

RE: Avoiding static
 

Thanks Joe.

How you can ground the anti static hose ?

RE: Avoiding static
 

You would have to bond a wire to the hose, making sure you have continuity. Drive a metal stake about 2 feet into the ground then clamp the other end of the wire to the stake.

Frankly it's not worth the effort. Just keep your fill rates down. If it takes another minute or two to fill your plane it's no big deal.

Joe

RE: Avoiding static
 

Make sure you are running one of the latest ECU software. I lost track of the last version but one way to check is to plug the GSU and look at the display. It should say.

JetCat 160SX 6.0 [something]
Rdy ! or Rdy #

I understand that the ! or # is the version number of the firmware running on the turbine side. Make sure it says '#'. I believe this is the latest version.

I have experienced weird flame out with SE engines but the problem went away after upgrading to the latest software. I also use anti static fuel additive. I use traditional festo / tygon tubing and kevlar tanks.

Arnaud

RE: Avoiding static
 

Try looking at the manual online at jetcat USA. They have some precautions you can take outlined there. My Titan se had a static issue and is in for an update now. Bob Wilcox said they have a solution for mine and I think the new ones have the soultion when you buy it. Great engine!

RE: Avoiding static
 

You might try a shot of anti static spray into the intakes and on to the wheels to control static buildup in these areas. Make sure the anti static spray you use is compatible with your paint job, though.