The last weekend has been very eventful with the issues raised in the last update being solved - due to a worn glow plug the fuel ignition became intermittent when throttling back to idle causing excess fuel to be pumped into the combustion chamber resulting in the display of fire works from the tail cone and the massive increase in rpm.
It had also been noted that the gas and fuel valves are susceptible to the cold although this doesn't seem to have been the issue here - they are now wrapped in a warm blanket of foam - just the thing to keep them warm in this weather. Thanks again to Ryan at Mega models in Farnworth for their assistance with this!!
Once again suppliers are causing us problems with delayed deliveries - Peninsula Plastics are out of stock of the 1920mm x 760mm x 25mm blue foam sheets we need to complete the modelling of the bodywork so work has currently stopped on this until the new supplies arrive later this week. until this arrives we cant begin the carbon fibre moulding for the finished product. In fairness they have been very good in keeping us informed of availability - its just another one of those things.
Monday, 19 February 2007
Thursday, 15 February 2007
Feburary Update - First Test Run
Not quite as successful as we had hoped - start up of the jet engine with turnover, gas ignition, fuel ramp and finally settling down to idle at 47,000rpm ran OK although a sizable heat spot was noticed on one side of the tail cone.
A few laps of a local car park was outstanding although when the throttle was brought back to idle the jet coughed and spluttered throwing flames through the rear diffuser and out of the tail cone increasing the rpm way above the idle speed of 47,000 rpm - so we have a little work to do understanding this and how to overcome this problem - if anyone has any ideas - please let us know.
All in all a very exciting half hour seeing the last few months work come to fruition.
The bodywork is also well on its way with the overall shape having been moulded from blue foam - this just needs to be turned into a carbon fibre shell which should be complete in the next two weeks and ready to fit onto the car.
The video of this evenings run is on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz2QJDPvtbc
Our other videos of the build and testing are also on You Tube under the title of 'Mach 2 Hamster'
A few laps of a local car park was outstanding although when the throttle was brought back to idle the jet coughed and spluttered throwing flames through the rear diffuser and out of the tail cone increasing the rpm way above the idle speed of 47,000 rpm - so we have a little work to do understanding this and how to overcome this problem - if anyone has any ideas - please let us know.
All in all a very exciting half hour seeing the last few months work come to fruition.
The bodywork is also well on its way with the overall shape having been moulded from blue foam - this just needs to be turned into a carbon fibre shell which should be complete in the next two weeks and ready to fit onto the car.
The video of this evenings run is on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz2QJDPvtbc
Our other videos of the build and testing are also on You Tube under the title of 'Mach 2 Hamster'
Monday, 12 February 2007
February Update
Since the last update in January we have had marginally better success with obtaining parts from Amerang (Thanks to Paul Vickery who has been most helpful). Lee at Hamilton Fabrications in Atherton has also been productive in laser cutting the engine mount (which also houses the 1200cc fuel cell) and engine mounting brackets which were finally installed in the first week of February.
The second week of February saw the full installation of the engine and auxiliary components although we then hit a glitch preventing us from testing last weekend (3/2/07) - the weight of the engine over the rear axle is too great for the springs on the shock absorbers which now require a more substantial solution. Even the front shocks are just about holding up. The suspension travel is also a concern which could lead to the whole car flipping over and anti-roll bars are being sourced. Mega Models in Farnworth have been very helpful in finding suitable replacement struts for the front and rear and the said anti-roll bars.
Our first test run of the car took place yesterday (11/2/07) with 2 runs of about 3 minutes each using a little under a third of the power available - this thing really moves some!! As it was getting dark the video hasn't come out very well on this event but the next run on Friday or Saturday (16/2/07 or 17/2/07 ) this weekend will be videoed and put on You Tube as soon as possible.
In the meantime up to date photos of the build so far will be on You Tube in 'slide-show' format via the following link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7RLYPeWg3I
All videos and photos will be under the title 'Mach 2 Hamster', renamed from 'Jet Mach 2' after Mr Hammonds' valiant drive in his jet car. Hats off to Richard for his outstanding cool headedness and his remarkable recovery.
The second week of February saw the full installation of the engine and auxiliary components although we then hit a glitch preventing us from testing last weekend (3/2/07) - the weight of the engine over the rear axle is too great for the springs on the shock absorbers which now require a more substantial solution. Even the front shocks are just about holding up. The suspension travel is also a concern which could lead to the whole car flipping over and anti-roll bars are being sourced. Mega Models in Farnworth have been very helpful in finding suitable replacement struts for the front and rear and the said anti-roll bars.
Our first test run of the car took place yesterday (11/2/07) with 2 runs of about 3 minutes each using a little under a third of the power available - this thing really moves some!! As it was getting dark the video hasn't come out very well on this event but the next run on Friday or Saturday (16/2/07 or 17/2/07 ) this weekend will be videoed and put on You Tube as soon as possible.
In the meantime up to date photos of the build so far will be on You Tube in 'slide-show' format via the following link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7RLYPeWg3I
All videos and photos will be under the title 'Mach 2 Hamster', renamed from 'Jet Mach 2' after Mr Hammonds' valiant drive in his jet car. Hats off to Richard for his outstanding cool headedness and his remarkable recovery.
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