Ravivos

Hi guys,

Had a great flying day with my RAM500 last week but then some problems began sneaking up on me,
had 7 full flights of approximately 5-6 minutes each when on the 7th flight i had a flame out, did manage to bring her home safe but when trying to start the turbine on the ground it would puff at mid range and flame out again.

thought it was a clogged needle, i took the turbine apart and cleaned the manifold with carb clean spray and some high pressure solvents.
all needles were fine and the turbine was re assembled.

when starting it up again, it would do the same as before, just puffing as coughing at mid range.

we (I3DM - Lior and I) replaced the pump to the flightworks 200b fuel pump and the turbine started fine and went all the way up to max RPM - 150K
there was a problem of a very hot start and i had to decrease the the START PW from 88 to 55 in order for the turbine to start smoother.
now, when throwing the throttle from idle to full, the turbine would spit flames and the EGT gets very high, a pure indication of too much fuel delivered to the turbine.
when advancing the throttle stick slowly, no problem there.

the original pump had max PW of approximately 580 and the flightworks pump have a max PW of approx. 380

what should i do in order to avoid this problem? there is no option to change the ramp time on the ECU's parameters.

thanks for the help.
Ravivos.

Ruizmilton

My Feedback: (29)

Ravivos:

When you re-installed the fuel ring, did you check that the needles all had the same angle and were in the same position on the vaporizer tubes? if your needles are definitely free of clogging, it could very well be needle alignment, fuel has to shoot out the needles against the vaporizer tube wall, not straight into the tubes...

Ravivos

Hi Ruizmilton
yes, i assembled the needles exactly as they were, in the correct angle.
they are all at approximately 45 degrees and each one of the needles is placed inside a tube pointing to its wall.

Amir Assal

Hi Ravivos!
I hope you can solve the problem soon, And be present at The jet meeting this weekend.

jason

My Feedback: (1)

As you had to reduce the start PW I think it's safe to say the Flightworks is delivering more fuel than the old RAM one was. If you have everything right inside (which it sounds like you have) then as you say the Acceleration needs reducing. There must be a way of adjusting that although it might not be a setting the user can access. If you can't sort it then changing the ECU to a Gaspar Fadec would work well.

Jason

Ravivos

Amir - sure trying to solve the problem as fast as i can, really dont want to miss our desert jet meet.

Jason - i know i can program Gaspar's FADEC for the turbine to work flawlessly but there are two things that holding me back on it - time and money
The RAM's ECU is great and i know that the ramping parameter can be changed using some kind of special super-duper secret menu hidden inside it, just need to know how to access it.

Thanks.

basimpsn

My Feedback: (5)

What version ECU do you have? Second you could program a throttle curve in your radio. Then again you could be having an internal fuel leak. Take the casing off and look between the fuel connector and lube connector while pumping fuel into the fuel line. If there is no leak press 1-2 then 3 and back to 2 then go to # 23 and reduce than # or call Carlos or Bob price

RCISFUN

My Feedback: (44)

OMG .... you published the secret code[X(][X(]

Ravivos

Hi basimpsn,
i have the CO3 version.
i manage to hack my way into the CO3 factory settings and changed the relevant parameter (110) and now the turbine works perfectly.

thanks.
Ravivos.

basimpsn

My Feedback: (5)

Woops should be PM

Soo you are good then??. (110) [X(] I forgot the 500 setting different from the 750

RCISFUN

My Feedback: (44)

All is well in the RAM world again....

Ravivos

As for now ...
thanks

L Turner

My Feedback: (3)

Isn't it amazing how some of these old ones keep going. I have R500 #138 with something well above 1000 cycles now. Running it with an Eco FADEC and doing manual starts: just finally replaced the original fuel pump.

i3dm

My Feedback: (51)

Ravivos' RAM 500 runs like a champ now - actually much better than it ever did now spinning @ 155K !!

Ravivos - tell these guys how she runs..

Amir Assal

What is there to tell.... He Flew up to the moon...

i3dm

My Feedback: (51)

Hahaha... good one Amir !

Ravivos

well, after lots of fiddling with the turbine, cleaning the clogged needles, replacing the pump, changing the mid ramp time ... now she runs great.
took her out to our desert jet meet over Ein-Yahav (Israel), burnt approximately 22 liters of fuel over a total of 16 flights.
except of one burnt glow plug, she performed outstanding!.
even had a chance racing a fellow jet pilot with the same plane as mine (Converted Falcon120) with a P-60 as a burner... it was pure fun to fly with him and the RAM doesnt fall back from the P-60 at all.
during high speed low passes , during vertical climbs - both planes were on the dime.

thank you Lior for the time spent helping me bringing her up to par.

Magnificent.


Ravivos.

i3dm

My Feedback: (51)

My pleasure my friend - any time. it was a wonderful expirience.

sidgates

My Feedback: (2)

I am looking for some parts for a RAM 500 and got the impression you might be able to help me. If so please PM me.

i3dm

My Feedback: (51)

For RAM 500 parts i would contact Carlos at: www.rtiturbines.com

Ravivos

Hi Sidgates.

Sorry if you got the wrong impression but i only have access to the parts that are bolted on my RAM500 [8D].
As I3DM wrote, if you need any parts you can contact Carlos at RTI, he sure is a stand-up guy and you will probably get whatever you are looking for from him.

I can only offer ideas and thoughts based on my experience with my RAMs.

Ravivos.

fasteddi

i am also in the happy world of RAM500
all of my 3!!! running with 160k and performing perfect.

F86-Liebetrau
Me163-DW
L39-Schreiner-Savex

Uwe

sidgates

My Feedback: (2)

My parts inquiry was mainly to "basimpsn". I am looking for used nose cover, starter housing and standoffs for the RAM 500 to convert old style starter to new style. I have the new bendix and starter motor all ready.

Thanks for the replies.

Ravivos

Just one thing to bare in mind, if you change the old style starter to the new one, and you have the new bendix for it, you will also need a new front lock nut that will fit the new bendix.
i.e. - the old lock have a different shape - more of a flathead shape. comparing to the new one which is significantly pointier.
i have both new and old starters on two different RAMs and they are not interchangeable.

basimpsn

My Feedback: (5)

Ravivos is right about changing the compressor nut and maybe the ECU. Take some pictures of what you have so far. (Front cover,new and old, ECU powered up) I have some NUTS for that engine.