fbpx

 

I hired a Mechanic to help me finish the install of the 80 hp Rotax in my Kitfox. He hooked up the Dynon DS-10 engine monitor and he connected the ignition wires to the left and right mag switches. He completed the fuel manifold routing and we serviced the engine in preparation for the first start. Oil purge did not result in solid lifters but the Rotax manual said to complete the process by starting the engine and running for 5 minutes at 3500 RPM. then check the lifters. Ok, NO start. (yes the fuel is on.) Spark to all the plugs, Fuel in the float bowls,
Mechanical sink is complete and correct. Dynon shows no oil pressure, no RPM but everything else seems fine.
Fuel pressure, oil temp, etc. What am I missing? (other than the rest of my life while I continue to work on this project)
  • Re: No start new install

    by » 6 years ago


    -battery dead? the engine needs to turn min 250rpm to start. Try a boost from your car battery.
    -Are the mag switches correct? They should be "open" (no ground) when "ON"
    -throttle at idle and choke ON? I know this is old news to you but you gotta look at the simple stuff first.

  • Re: No start new install

    by » 6 years ago


    Also, assuming this is a new engine in a new plane, are you certain the throttles are closed?
    The carbs default to wide open if the throttle cables do not pull them closed.
    The Choke Fuel circuit does not function if the throttle is open.

    Be safe! Tie the tail of the plane to a secure object and have someone securely in the pilot's seat on the first start.
    If something goes south, you will want to have someone ready and able to shut it down immediately.
    This is not the time to be hanging in the door operating the controls.

    Bill Hertzel
    Rotax 912is
    North Ridgeville, OH, USA
    Clicking the "Thank You" is Always Appreciated by Everyone.


  • Re: No start new install

    by » 6 years ago


    Thanks for the reminders on all things Rotax. I don't get tired of the safety brief ... ever. the plane is tied to my truck, the throttle cables are full closed but just cracked for start. the battery WAS nearly dead. I boosted it and I am good for about 4 attempts before its time to put it back on the charger. I am ordering the god awful expense of an EarthX unless you talk me out of it. $400.00. ish.

    The engine did start and I ran it for 5 seconds before determining that I had no oil pressure indication on the Dynon. The lifters have oil. I checked. I'm working the Dynon issue and have ordered an oil pressure test kit from Spruce. Should be here tomorrow.
    "Buy and airplane" they said, "It will be Fun", they said.

  • Re: No start new install

    by » 6 years ago


    Did you perform the Oil System Purge before the first start?
    You should have seen Oil pressure during the Purge.

    The lack of Oil Pressure at startup should not have been a surprise.
    You should have seen Oil pressure when you "Burped" the Oil tank before starting.

    There is no reason need a Lithium Battery and many safety reasons to avoid them.
    The only plus side is the weight issue.
    You are going to save about the same weight as 20 minutes worth of fuel.
    A couple of circuits around the pattern and you are a wash.

    If the battery you have will start the engine 4 times WITHOUT the benefit of being recharged by the engine after each start, what is the problem?

    Bill Hertzel
    Rotax 912is
    North Ridgeville, OH, USA
    Clicking the "Thank You" is Always Appreciated by Everyone.


    Thank you said by: jay white

  • Re: No start new install

    by » 6 years ago


    Yup, did the oil purge process. I have done it several times over the years and I"m familiar. The Dynon showed no oil pressure. I used the test kit gauge to purge again after breaking the circuit to plug in the test gauge. I got oil pressure immediately, so am assuming the engine supplied sender is not compatible with the Dynon DS10. I remotely installed a Kavlico sender. Problem solved. I used the fully charged battery to start the engine. It started and ran as well as a mechanical sync will allow. Dynon is not giving me a believable RPM. It seems to be reading about half of what I should be seeing. Dynon Tech support agrees that the tach setting may be wrong in the Dynon from a setup error by the user. (I did not use my own name) I will reconfigure that tach setting and adjust accordingly. I'm thinking I need an Optical rpm tach to verify the Dynon.
    Ok, I didn't get the other battery, What do you think about a safety issue/ I just read a big article about how great they are, is that "Sales writing" or do you see a problem? I"m not familiar with anything battery.

You do not have permissions to reply to this topic.