Wren MW54 Mk3 Kit Assembly

Spartan · 03-01-2006, 11:09

I have always been intrigued as to what goes inside a model turbine, and amazed by those Guys that build them from scratch.

Wren Turbines Ltd

have been around for quite a few years now, supplying fully built turbines, kits and parts to turbine enthusiasts.

So I treated myself to a Wren kit, the MW54 Mk3 with full auto start and FADEC etc.

Basic spec:
Full auto start, 14lbs thrust turbine @ 160k rpm.

The kit comes with virtually everything. All I have to add for a bench start is a receiver, Rx battery, ECU battery, propane/butane and fuel.

But first I have to assemble this little jewel........................

MLaCoste · 03-01-2006, 16:03

That's awesome Jules!

Now the only question is........

Spartan · 03-01-2006, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by MLaCoste

Now the only question is........

I thought you were gonna ask, "are you ever going to finish it ?"

Of course I will !

I'll post pics in my gallery as I progress, and do a picture journal here.

Spartan · 03-01-2006, 17:49

Everything arrived 24 hours after ordering in a compact parcel. I thought there would be another parcel to follow, but Wren managed to fit everything in. All the parts were well bagged, and there was no damage during transit.

So this is what you get in the box...........

Lt. Dan · 03-01-2006, 17:54

Very nice, Jules. I look forward to seeing your progress on the assembly over the next 5-10 years.

Spartan · 03-01-2006, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

Very nice, Jules. I look forward to seeing your progress on the asembly over the next 5-10 years.

And I expect to see your spelling improve in the same time frame !

charlieoneseven · 03-01-2006, 22:11

Back to the turbine for a minute guys. I am considering this unit also the $200 less for the kit is worth the few nights it should take me to put it in working order. I'll keep an eye on your build and hope to see any glitches you may have hit in instructions or parts fit. My last turbine had a seperate oil tank did they do away with that on this engine like so many others have now done using fuel to lubricate?
Thanks, Charlie

Spartan · 03-01-2006, 22:22

Hi Charlie,

This turbine, like many today, uses a total loss oil lube system. That is, the oil is mixed into the fuel @ 3 to 5%

I am about 60% through the build already, and busy uploading photos into my gallery. Have a look there for a sneak preview.

So far I have hit ZERO problems.
Everything fits, quality control is good.
It's been a joy to assemble, much the same feeling I get building helis.

Building planes, messing with glue & balsa is another matter.............

MLaCoste · 03-01-2006, 23:48

Damn! Somebody's been busy! Nice looking pics in the gallery...

http://www.rcjet.net/forum/photos/sh...me=999&way=asc

See, now you've made me want to pick up one of them too......

Mark

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 13:33

Lubrication tube fitted to diffuser

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 13:35

Front cermamic bearing fitted into shaft tunnel, note arrow on bearing.
The front of the shaft tunnel has a pre-load spring, shim and circlip in it.

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 13:37

Shaft tunnel fitted to rear of diffuser

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 13:39

Shaft seal located and bolted to shaft tunnel through diffuser

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 13:43

Fitting case front on top of diffuser

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 13:46

Turbine wheel comes factory fitted and balanced on shaft.

You can see evidence of balancing on the sacrificial rings on the turbine wheel, and on the shaft.

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 13:53

Turbine shaft inserted into shaft tunnel.

The front bearing is spring loaded, so the assembly has to be squeezed together before the impeller can be slid on and front nut screwed on.

THE FRONT NUT HAS A LEFT HAND THREAD !
Took me ages to get it started.............

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 15:16

Fitting the intake cone

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 15:21

Aligning case front, so that compressor is central to inlet cone.

Note small gap between green blade and side wall.

Rotated housing, now we have a big gap between green blade and side wall. It's not running true, must be corrected.

Get a "feel" for the size of the problem

Cut some shims out of shim sheet

Take up the slack to centralise the compressor wheel in the intake housing

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 15:24

Getting the combustion chamber ready for mounting

Look at those weird combustion tubes for the injectors

Injector detail

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 15:29

Lightly crimp on spacers so they don't fall off

Fixing combustion chamber to front assembly

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 15:32

Attaching service (fuel, lube & gas) standoffs

Slipping on front "O" ring

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 15:34

Fitting NGV to rear of combustion chamber

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 15:35

Fitting the outer case

There are various holes to line up, including glow plug, front case and NGV

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 15:44

Standard glow plug

Tease the coils out

Use an old glow plug to chase the thread out

Glow plug fitted, WITHOUT copper washer

Spartan · 03-02-2006, 15:47

Festo fittings for fuel, lube and gas.
Fuel goes into the "T", and out to the lube input via a restrictor
Gas into the other Festo

03-01-2006, 11:09	#1
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Wren MW54 Mk3 Kit Assembly I have always been intrigued as to what goes inside a model turbine, and amazed by those Guys that build them from scratch. Wren Turbines Ltd have been around for quite a few years now, supplying fully built turbines, kits and parts to turbine enthusiasts. So I treated myself to a Wren kit, the MW54 Mk3 with full auto start and FADEC etc. Basic spec: Full auto start, 14lbs thrust turbine @ 160k rpm. The kit comes with virtually everything. All I have to add for a bench start is a receiver, Rx battery, ECU battery, propane/butane and fuel. But first I have to assemble this little jewel........................

03-01-2006, 17:54	#5
Lt. Dan Team RCJ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TN Posts: 1,707	Very nice, Jules. I look forward to seeing your progress on the assembly over the next 5-10 years. __________________

03-02-2006, 13:35	#11
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Front cermamic bearing fitted into shaft tunnel, note arrow on bearing. The front of the shaft tunnel has a pre-load spring, shim and circlip in it. Last edited by Spartan; 03-02-2006 at 16:07.

03-02-2006, 13:53	#16
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Turbine shaft inserted into shaft tunnel. The front bearing is spring loaded, so the assembly has to be squeezed together before the impeller can be slid on and front nut screwed on. THE FRONT NUT HAS A LEFT HAND THREAD ! Took me ages to get it started............. Last edited by Spartan; 03-02-2006 at 16:08.

03-02-2006, 15:35	#23
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Fitting the outer case There are various holes to line up, including glow plug, front case and NGV Last edited by Spartan; 03-02-2006 at 15:37.

03-01-2006, 16:03	#2
MLaCoste Team RCJ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Roseville, Ca. Posts: 227	That's awesome Jules! Now the only question is........

03-01-2006, 17:49	#4
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Everything arrived 24 hours after ordering in a compact parcel. I thought there would be another parcel to follow, but Wren managed to fit everything in. All the parts were well bagged, and there was no damage during transit. So this is what you get in the box...........

03-01-2006, 22:11	#7
charlieoneseven Buddy Box Graduate Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 149	Back to the turbine for a minute guys. I am considering this unit also the $200 less for the kit is worth the few nights it should take me to put it in working order. I'll keep an eye on your build and hope to see any glitches you may have hit in instructions or parts fit. My last turbine had a seperate oil tank did they do away with that on this engine like so many others have now done using fuel to lubricate? Thanks, Charlie

03-01-2006, 22:22	#8
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Hi Charlie, This turbine, like many today, uses a total loss oil lube system. That is, the oil is mixed into the fuel @ 3 to 5% I am about 60% through the build already, and busy uploading photos into my gallery. Have a look there for a sneak preview. So far I have hit ZERO problems. Everything fits, quality control is good. It's been a joy to assemble, much the same feeling I get building helis. Building planes, messing with glue & balsa is another matter.............

03-01-2006, 23:48	#9
MLaCoste Team RCJ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Roseville, Ca. Posts: 227	Damn! Somebody's been busy! Nice looking pics in the gallery... http://www.rcjet.net/forum/photos/sh...me=999&way=asc See, now you've made me want to pick up one of them too...... Mark

03-02-2006, 13:33	#10
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Lubrication tube fitted to diffuser

03-02-2006, 13:37	#12
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Shaft tunnel fitted to rear of diffuser

03-02-2006, 13:39	#13
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Shaft seal located and bolted to shaft tunnel through diffuser

03-02-2006, 13:43	#14
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Fitting case front on top of diffuser

03-02-2006, 13:46	#15
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Turbine wheel comes factory fitted and balanced on shaft. You can see evidence of balancing on the sacrificial rings on the turbine wheel, and on the shaft.

03-02-2006, 15:16	#17
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Fitting the intake cone

03-02-2006, 15:21	#18
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Aligning case front, so that compressor is central to inlet cone. Note small gap between green blade and side wall. Rotated housing, now we have a big gap between green blade and side wall. It's not running true, must be corrected. Get a "feel" for the size of the problem Cut some shims out of shim sheet Take up the slack to centralise the compressor wheel in the intake housing

03-02-2006, 15:24	#19
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Getting the combustion chamber ready for mounting Look at those weird combustion tubes for the injectors Injector detail

03-02-2006, 15:29	#20
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Lightly crimp on spacers so they don't fall off Fixing combustion chamber to front assembly

03-02-2006, 15:32	#21
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Attaching service (fuel, lube & gas) standoffs Slipping on front "O" ring

03-02-2006, 15:34	#22
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Fitting NGV to rear of combustion chamber

03-02-2006, 15:44	#24
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Standard glow plug Tease the coils out Use an old glow plug to chase the thread out Glow plug fitted, WITHOUT copper washer

03-02-2006, 15:47	#25
Spartan Senior Jet Pilot Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coventry, U.K. Posts: 635	Festo fittings for fuel, lube and gas. Fuel goes into the "T", and out to the lube input via a restrictor Gas into the other Festo

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