START menus:
On this submenu you will find the parameters used
during the engine startup. Like the “RUN” menus,
some of these parameters could be not available in
fadecs used in production engines.
There are 3 start modes available:
-
Manual
, where the user should do all the start
sequence, and the fadec only control the pump and
the fuel valve
-
AUTO-Gas
: The fadec do all the start sequence automatically controlling the starter,
glow plug, pump and valves, using auxiliary start gas (propane-butane) for ignition.
-
AUTO-Kero
: The fadec do all the start sequence automatically controlling the starter,
kerosene burner, pump and valves, using kerosene for ignition. This menu only appears in
kerostart fadecs.
Depending on the selected start mode the parameters available are only those related
with the selected mode.
Manual Start mode:
In order to start the engine in manual mode, the user must first raise the transmitter
throttle trim and leave the throttle stick in idle/minimum position. The Light Emitting
Diode (LED) on the FADEC illuminates, and the status screen show “Ready” indicating the
system is "ready for start". Once in this position, the operator must 1) turn/spin up the
engine with the starter motor / blower etc, 2) open the butane/propane gas, and ignite it.
When the FADEC registers an exhaust temperature higher than the programmed
start/minimum temperature and the rotor turning, the “Fuel Ramp” begins, the LED begins
to blink and the system begins to pump fuel to the motor, raising the fuel pump power
slowly until the idle speed is reached. This final condition is signaled by the system
extinguishing the LED and the “Running” word on the status screen. The user now has
control of the engine power trough the throttle stick. Setting the trim to LOW the engine
will be shutdown.
Parameters used in “manual start” mode:
P
ump Start point
: Sets the power of the pump
when it is started at beginning of the fuel ramp.
The FADEC have the ability of to automatically adjust the pump power to start it at the
lowest possible speed, independently of the battery voltage and pump roughness. Also the
user has the possibility to adjust the minimum pump power manually.
AUTO mode:
The values of “Pump start point” from 0 to 8 are in AUTO mode.
This means that the FADEC will adjust itself the pump power to start it slowly by
measuring the voltage generated by the pump motor. The usual value for an unknown engine
is AUTO+2, but after the first start you can increase or decrease the fuel flow if needed.
