TURBO-CONDA™ v1.0

TURBO-CONDA™ v1.0 Jet Powered Tandem Recumbent

I've always wanted to mount a jet engine on a bicycle. The below documents mounting a RAM500 Microjet that had been laying around gathering dust on the BelikBicycle™ tandem recumbent. The unit only produces about 10 lbs of thrust at full throttle (good for about 15mph). In the future we would like to mount a larger ~50 lbs thrust unit.

TURBO-CONDA™ v1.0 Video by Paul Belik (11.7mb)

2002.10.28 Fabricating the JetFender™ Mount

Jet Engine mounting rails fabricated.		Thrust Cam.
An aluminum JetFender™ is fabricated and installed.		mmm...JetFender™
Awaiting ancillaries.	Nice Ramp! Note the microjet's integrated electric starter motor.

2002.10.29 Ancillary Mounting and First Jet Power Tests

Jet Ancillary diagram.
Fuel tank mounting (left).
Turbine photos.

Turbine thermocouple visible poking into turbine exhaust housing.
Mounting the ECU, main battery, main switch, fuel pump, butane tank, butane solenoid, etc...

Six-wire telephone cord cut and rewired for use with the digital RAM data terminal control box.

Digital RAM data terminal control box.

Preparing for first run.
Paul has ignition!

Charging battery packs.

2002.11.16 Dual Battery Starting Relay Fix
The RAM500 starter motor really hits the battery pack hard. With a current clamp I measured a 14amp draw during auto-sequence start. To insure the ECU is supplied with a steady voltage we decided to install a second battery solely to power the jet starter motor. I used a Bosch automotive relay for this purpose.

Brand new main ECU 1500mah NiCad 6 cell packs getting charged.	Modified Jet Ancillary diagram showing relay controlled starter and dual battery system.	New relay wired and installed. Blue starter battery velcroed to the side of the JetFender™.
Closeup of the quick relay install. Main ECU power switch visible in photo.		TURBO-CONDA™
Paul and Stefano pause for a photograph.	Gotta have dark sunglasses!	Arriving at the Jet firing area. Note red can of JET A Fuel.
Paul taking the bike for a pre-jet spin.

Webpage last updated: Monday, November 18, 2002
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Jet Ancillary diagram.	Fuel tank mounting (left).	Turbine photos.

Turbine thermocouple visible poking into turbine exhaust housing.	Mounting the ECU, main battery, main switch, fuel pump, butane tank, butane solenoid, etc...
Six-wire telephone cord cut and rewired for use with the digital RAM data terminal control box.		Digital RAM data terminal control box.
Preparing for first run.	Paul has ignition!
		Charging battery packs.