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-   -   Vernatherm Types and Prices (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=71409)

DanH 04-25-2011 09:04 AM

Vernatherm Types and Prices
 
Looking for a new vernatherm this AM....pricy little bugger. Noticed a few things.

The OEM and Superior (53E22144 and SL53E19600) vernatherms seem to be a product of Rostra Vernatherm:

http://www.vernatherm.com/

It's a core or capsule in a machined aluminum holder. Pull a retaining clip and the core slides out of the holder. We don't need a new holder to replace a bad core, but it looks like every parts source sells you one anyway, as an assembly.

Bashful fellow that I am, I rang up Rostra's engineer and asked him about the cores. He confirmed they are sold to other OEMs, but would not share the Rostra part number for the Lycoming application. My guess is you can buy the same core elsewhere (I dunno, Evenrude, Cummins, John Deere?) for a lot less than airplane prices. Basic outboard motor vernatherms are, for example, about $35. Anybody have a clue about an interchange?

Best price I've seen so fair for a Rostra-made Lycoming assembly is at Aero In Stock and Air Suppliers, both $248. Ouch!

ECI sells a "vernatherm" of their own design (or designed for them), part #AEL19600. I called ECI to confirm; it is not sourced from Rostra. Given that my OEM Rostra just died at 80-90 hours, that may be a Good Thing.

Different appearance is obvious:

http://www.eci.aero/pages/products_detail.aspx?in=529

Anybody have any field experience comments about the ECI unit?

David_Nelson 04-25-2011 10:36 AM

No O-360 support?
 
Hi Dan,

Looking at ECI's www site that you provided, there's no O-360 listed.

AEIO-360
HIO-360
HO-360
IO-360
IVO-360
LHIO-360
LIO-360
LO-360
LTO-360
TIO-360
TO-360
VO-360
I this an error?

DEWATSON 04-25-2011 10:50 AM

Vernatherm
 
I have an ECI Titan IO 360 with the vernatherm Dan described. Works like a charm.

rocketbob 04-25-2011 11:08 AM

Larry Vetterman is very adamant about removing the vernatherm altogether and replacing it with the oil cooler bypass plunger and a remotely-operated valve to manually regulate the oil temps. I have this setup on my rocket and am not yet flying.

Mike S 04-25-2011 12:00 PM

Just a thought..........
 
How about talking to the folks that you got the engine from???

I would think this should be a warranty issue???

Geico266 04-25-2011 05:00 PM

Dan, why not install an oil thermostat? The vernatherm is useless.

Ironflight 04-25-2011 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geico266 (Post 536623)
Dan, why not install an oil thermostat? The vernatherm is useless.

Interesting comment, and nothing against a thermostat...but USELESS?!

I've had them in airplanes for decades - have never had one fail on me. I know that others have, of course - but since everything gets archived around here, that's a pretty extreme statement without a lot more data...

DanH 04-25-2011 05:54 PM

Really guys, I was hoping to focus on two areas:

Where can you buy the same Rostra core in the non-aviation world?

How good is the less overpriced non-Rostra ECI substitute?

RV7Guy 04-25-2011 05:58 PM

ECI
 
Hey Dan,

I have an ECI IO360 in current 7. The vernatherm was check and it was reading 10 degrees low. I keep that in mind on my oil temp reading.

Did you give Rhonda a call to see what they can do? They might be able to exchange it.

Lars 04-25-2011 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanH (Post 536634)
Really guys, I was hoping to focus on two areas:

Where can you buy the same Rostra core in the non-aviation world?

How good is the less overpriced non-Rostra ECI substitute?

What are the specs as you know it on the Rostra device? I'm thinking oil pressure to which the device is subject and temperature range at which it opens. Probably the former is as least as important. I know nothing about outboard marine motors but a little bit about tractors and have access to lots more info. If you can obtain the core for $35 or less it might be worth buying one to mess with, if you find a promising candidate.


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