Electroair (Jeff Rose) EI
 

I have been running with Electroair system for 300 hours on the right side with slick mag in left. I have the timing pickup for the Electroair in the right Magneto hole. It has been running just fine until 3 days ago. On runup, the EI took a couple of seconds to kick in when I turned off the slick mag. But it did then run the engine. I cycled this several times and it did this strange cutout twice and then operated normal. I flew that day around the field with no problems. But I did not do a mag & EI check when I landed before turning it off after the flight. The next day I looked things over and every fitting is rock tight. The engine starts and runs on the slick mag but will not run on the EI at all now. I've confirmed, it has power coming to it and the plugs are all fine.

I have called Electroair a couple of times and they have not returned my call. I also emailed them without a response. I am beginning to think they do not want to support my system but would prefer I go through Aircraft Spruce or one of the other dealers.

Has anyone got some words of advice for me? Larry -- grounded in Indiana

Electroair is a small operation and you may have found a window of time where the handful of people running the business are out of pocket for some reason.

I recommend you keep trying to contact them.

Measure the resistance of the magnetic sensor with a DVM, if its open or shorted you need a new one. I think its supposed to measure 40 ohms, and would have to double check mine to verify. If you can't get a hold of Electromotive, you can get it here: http://www.electromotive-inc.com/sensors.html

A more reliable test
 

Larry,
Bob is correct in using an ohm meter to inspect the magnetic sensors. This style sensor is used extensively in modern automobiles. I have often found defective sensors which would test good with an ohm meter. I found a more reliable test is to use a digital volt meter and set it on it's lowest DC voltage setting. For me, that is a 0 to 2 volt scale. The meter must be capable of reading thousandths of a volt. Connect the leads of the volt meter to the leads coming off the sensor, at the connector. Do this with the connector unplugged. Crank the engine over and watch for a very slight voltage signal (anywhere from .002 to .03 volts) The presence of voltage indicates a functioning sensor. No voltage means the sensor is bad.
It is common for the leads on the magnetic pick up sensor, to break right where they enter the sensor. Most of the time, the insulation is undamaged, so the wire "appears" intact.
Try wiggling the harness while performing the voltage test, to determine if this is the problem. If your sensor is bad and it's the older, 3/8" diameter style, I would suggest upgrading to the 1/2" diameter sensor. The upgrade will require that the mounting hole in the housing, be opened up to 1/2".

Charlie Kuss

Pull the plug wires off at the unit. Crank the engine and you should see a spark jump between the post. If not, take out the top plug and repeat the test. If you have a green led and no spark, take the unit out of the mag hole and attach a drill to turn the shaft. If you still don't have a spark, send the unit in for repair. If you do have a spark with the drill, something is making the unit think you do not have at least 100rpms.

You should be able to crank on the mag and the unit work fine. Remember, if you turn the unit off in a mag check, it take a couple of seconds before it will fire when it is turned back on.

If you are stranded, you can call me, (Sam 817-579-5771) and i will try to help.

Electroair
 

Last week while ferrying an RV-8 from Oregon, we had the Electroair fail. We continued on with a borrowed magneto in place of the Electroair.

I left a message with the company and got a return call a few days later(after we got home). The gentleman said to measure resistance between the red and black wires out of the sensor. It should be between 600 and 800 Ohms. Also check for the +5 Volts at the top lug at the electronic box.

The Electroair rep said he would be unavailable for a few days..don't remember the reason.

Good luck,

Mitch Garner
RV-4 flying

Actually an even better test would be to use a scopemeter and check for an AC waveform, while running.

I have a friend that had problems with a 1/2" pickup, even after changing the sensor out for a new one. He ended up going back to the 3/8" sensor. With the teeth on the gear being so small, less current is induced with the larger sensor.

Dual Slick mags.

Spirit
 

Larry,

Where is you pioneering experimental spirit. I am going all out, dual p-mags!

My comment is purely tongue and cheek, to each his own. I just like gadgets.

Cheers

I had somewhat similar problems once with ElectroAir. See here:

http://blog.bowenaero.com/?p=52
http://blog.bowenaero.com/?p=5
http://blog.bowenaero.com/?p=18