Phil Cole
Veteran
Location: Redwood City CA
| Bill,
5500 RPM is just fine. It sounds like the sequence is working OK. The starter is meant to cut out just before the gas solenoid opens. Ignition is meant to happen while the turbine is coasting. When it ignites, the starter cranks at full power, and the fuel flow is started.
What's most likely happening is that there is too much Powermax on the first ignition attempt (think of it as too rich if you like). After a few attempts the pressure goes down, so you get less Powermax and it can ignite.
You can try reducing the Gas % setting. The factory setting is 50%, and mine does the same as yours at that setting, particularly if I use a new Powermax can. I use 30% or 40% depending on the weather and how full the Powermax can is. The reduced gas flow only applies while trying to ignite. You will hear the flow pulsing as the solenoid opens and closes. Once the gas ignites, it flows at 100% to preheat the vapouriser.
On a new Powermax can, stop filling when the gas flow starts to slow noticeably. Don't try to cram as much gas in as you can, as it just gets wasted. You definately don't want the tubing to have liquid Powermax in it.
On cold, windy days you'll need a bit more gas, as it can get blown out before the fuel feed starts. Also, I did have one Powermax can which didn't work all that well with the plastic fueling probe that Jetcat supply. I couldn't get enough gas in there to sustain the ignition.
It will take a bit of practice to learn how much Powermax to use to get reliable ignition.
The glow voltage can also make a difference. Some plugs can take more than others, so you have to experiment. I have an Enya #3 in mine at the moment, and it takes 2.1 V for reliable ignition. The plug seems quite happy at that voltage. |
