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iStart Automatic Start Systems
I ran into the iStart guys from Granbury TX in one of the Oshkosh exhibit hangars last week. This is a really intriguing start system that digitally takes over the ignition, fuel flow, and mixture during all starts (cold or hot): It basically promises to make engine starts a non-event, particularly for fuel injected engines like my YIO-360-M1B.
Does anybody have any experience or comments regarding this system? I've already blown out one air filter with my pi$$ poor hot start techniques (somehow I didn't destroy FrankenSnorkel, my obviously amateur-built FAB). This seems to be a worthwhile investment if it actually works. |
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It does control fuel flow via the metering valve, based on the pre-programmed values. It cannot determine the delivered mixture. |
In the interim...
Give this technique a try...I got it while at one of the forums put on by Lycoming last week.
Coming home from OSH, I've used it 4 or 5 times already, and it seems to work pretty well; the big advantage is a much reduced chance of backfire/induction fire because you're not using the boost pump. ![]() Ps-sorry about the guy in front of me noggin showing up in the pic! |
What does setting the Mixture to Full Rich do if the boost pump isn't on?
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Good question...
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I believe it had something to do with allowing pressure behind the mixture cut off to bleed down? Just guessing here...tell you what-I'll email the forum presenter and ask him myself and report back! Rob |
A call to Lycoming tech support revealed that exercising the mixture control is a way to safely prime...but not OVER-prime the engine.
Apparently, it does release a small amount of pressure (and fuel) built up behind the cut off into the induction system. I (like Sid) have had an induction "burp" due to over-prime enough to disfigure the K&N induction filter I have mounted on the snorkel. Anything that stops that is a good thing. Sorry for the thread drift, Sid. Rob |
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Not that it matters. I have a drum-type FM-200 and a purge valve, so all pressure is deliberately bled off at shutdown. The hot start "ease the mixture forward while cranking" method works fine without prime, in particular with an EI. |
Great responses. The iStart folks seek to eliminate a need for specific and varied techniques during hot starts (all starts, for that matter). I see myself settling into effective techniques, eliminating my impulse to spend over $1K on this system albeit its usefulness.
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iStart Install
I installed iStart last Fall. It solved my hot start issues. I now use it to start (cold or hot).
Install was very straight forward, support was responsive, & start results have been predictable. |
The ICO no boost pump procedure outlined above is the exact start sequence specified by Aviat for the 200hp angle valve IO-360 engine in the Husky. It works great each and every hot start. If you think about it if flying floats you many times cannot spend too much time on the start whilst drifting. So floatplanes with FI engines need a consistent and reliable start, hot or cold. The cold start procedure in the POH is almost exactly the same, with the only change being running the boost pump at full rich briefly before pulling mixture back to ICO.
Jim |
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