Hard Starting 912

[Stephan van Tonder]

Sure about your gearbox not being the problem. Really I promise - Andy had a huge problem starting his and it was just getting worse and worse. I did some research - gearbox was rebuilt and now she starts sweetly every time. Gearbox had 300 hours on at that point.

[Low Level]

I understand the SE is pumping in the Cape. Have you tried turning the nose into the wind.


Bloody frustrating - I know when I was there.

[Morph]

The real reason why I haven't actually put my head down to solve the problem is I haven't been flying until I have my aerie completely ramp inspection ready. The CAA inspectors have been there twice in the last two weeks. Yesterday I finally got the last piece in the puzzle, the Radio Station licence (actually just the slip to prove I paid for it, ICASA still need to send me the licence)

[tandemtod1]

Let us know what the final outcome is as this is not a very common problem with a 912 and it will give us some more info for our collection of experience

[bluesmancoops]

The real reason why I haven't actually put my head down to solve the problem is I haven't been flying until I have my aerie completely ramp inspection ready. The CAA inspectors have been there twice in the last two weeks. Yesterday I finally got the last piece in the puzzle, the Radio Station licence (actually just the slip to prove I paid for it, ICASA still need to send me the licence)

My letter from ICASA took 8 months - also got it the other day

[Morph]

Since I installed the backup fuel pump my cold starting procedure is as follows

fuel open
electric pump on until the sharp thumps become dull thumps, i.e. pressure built up

mags off, avionics on to see oil pressure, crank the prop until the oil pressure comes up

avionics off, pump off, throttle closed and friction set tight, choke open, mags on, crank and she fires to life almost immediately.

[bluesmancoops]

glad it is sorted Morph - now just the fuel tank leak

[Low Level]

Glad the pain in the ass is sorted.

[Morph]

I have now discovered that the charging circuit is not working. I had the battery run completely flat a few weekends ago (left the masterswitch on, even though everything else was off, it completes a circuit that runs the battery flat). I then realised that the regulator is not charging the battery. I bought a brand new battery and regulator about 18 months ago, just before the accident. It took 8 months to get her back in the air and so in total it has done less that 50 hours and they are both faulty. If I charge the battery full, the MGL gauge gives me 14.5 V the first time I switch it on. When I crank the motor the MGL shows a drop to 12V instantly. The battery just is not capable of handling the current. Maybe the 8 months of standing stuffed it up.

[weedy]

I have now discovered that the charging circuit is not working. I had the battery run completely flat a few weekends ago (left the masterswitch on, even though everything else was off, it completes a circuit that runs the battery flat). I then realised that the regulator is not charging the battery. I bought a brand new battery and regulator about 18 months ago, just before the accident. It took 8 months to get her back in the air and so in total it has done less that 50 hours and they are both faulty. If I charge the battery full, the MGL gauge gives me 14.5 V the first time I switch it on. When I crank the motor the MGL shows a drop to 12V instantly. The battery just is not capable of handling the current. Maybe the 8 months of standing stuffed it up.

Hi Morph, I'm sure u know this but it might help others, in the pic below terminal C must be connected to the battery via a switch for the regulator to charge, and if not switched the battery slowly runs flat.

[Morph]

Yeah, I left my masterswitch on, which kept the C circuit closed and the battery ran flat.

[Stephan van Tonder]

Weedy - thanks - I got given one of those rectifiers 2 days ago and wasn't sure of the wiring. Posted it at exactly the right time for me. Thanks