P-Mag Operating Temperatures

[Randy]

An idea I had when installing my 2 Pmags was to make an enclosure around the finned area of the Pmag to help make the air blast more effective. It seems like a poor application of cooling blast air to simply blow the air at one location. An enclosure that would route the cooling blast around the Pmag finned are and then out the bottom would seem to be more effective. Something like the shroud I have that surrounds the mechanical fuel pump. Maybe as simple as a rolled piece of aluminum formed to a radius that would allow it to be sprung open to put it on but still clamp itself in place, with a flange in place for connecting the blast tube, pretty simple really, but I did not do it.

Seems it would be fairly easy to make one but I went with the recommendation and just use safety wire to hold a 3/4" blast tube in position.

Has anyone tried making a cooling air shroud for their Pmag?

My temp stickers have not tripped and I have one summer of Arizona hot temperature operation with no problems, happy customer.

Randall in Sedona

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by eddieseve

I have the ACS key switch with the jumper removed, so both Mags become live at the same time

I have for the last year had the PMags timed to fire at approximately 4 degrees after TDC to ensure no kick back etc.

I initially ran the PMags with the timing at TDC but did experience the occasional kick back, since the timing change I have had no more kick backs and cannot notice any difference in performance, although I am seeing cooler CHTs as would be expected.

I am also running with the jumper installed.

I would love to get the upgrade, but being in Sydney Australia there would be quite a substantial lag involved in shipping and them getting the units returned.

When I bought the two units, I contacted Brad and sent him the serial number information, he stated that they should be fine the way they are currently wired.

If only there was a way for end users to do their own software updates ???

Cheers

You should be fine. Since you have a key switch which ungrounds both P-mags before engaging the starter, you should not have an issue.

We have spoken to Emag about letting customers do their own software updates and our feeling is they don't want users messing with them at that level, for whatever reason.

The good news is, we (Us at EICommander) haven't heard of a single lost timing issue with installations using a key switch or after the V40 update.

[FasGlas]

These are the blast tubes for the 2 pmags I have.
I also monitor and record the temps on both pmags and the rear cowl section. My MGL allows me to add many temp probes. During flight the pmag temps run ~ 150's to 170's depending on the flight conditions. The cowl temp runs ~ 130's to 140's.




I find the pmags to be far more unreliable than most people know.

[revenson]

FasGlass: What temps do you see shortly after refueling on a hot day?

[eddieseve]

Originally Posted by N941WR

You should be fine. Since you have a key switch which ungrounds both P-mags before engaging the starter, you should not have an issue.

We have spoken to Emag about letting customers do their own software updates and our feeling is they don't want users messing with them at that level, for whatever reason.

The good news is, we (Us at EICommander) haven't heard of a single lost timing issue with installations using a key switch or after the V40 update.

Hi Bill,

That is good to know, I have nearly two years on my second hand PMags and have to admit I am a very happy customer.

Cheers

[nigelspeedy]

Originally Posted by FasGlas

I find the pmags to be far more unreliable than most people know.

G'day FasGlas,

I only have 100 hours on mine and so far no problems but I am interested in the issues you have experienced which prompted your statement in the quote above.

I have a little cooling duct to each as recommended in the install manual and the max temp they have reached so far is 190F (based on a temp tape on each of the bodies), which coincides with my maximum engine oil temp.

Regards
Nigel

[FasGlas]

The fact is if you don't have your pmags connected to an EI Commander or a laptop with EICad you have no idea what the pmags are doing.
After running two pmags for two years (with an EI Commander) and having nothing but problem after problem with both of them, and after getting PM's from other pilots with problems, and pilots in my group with pmags that have had problems, I can say without a doubt that pmags are unreliable and inconsistent. I have lots of data to back this up.

[grubbat]

Randy,
Please share your data and info. I'm sure many would be interested in your findings.

[FasGlas]

Originally Posted by grubbat

Randy,
Please share your data and info. I'm sure many would be interested in your findings.

This may take a little work to compile and post pics and data. The forum only allows a few pics to be linked to a post. I have many pics of my EI Commander showing all the anomalies of my pmags.

[Brantel]

Originally Posted by FasGlas

The fact is if you don't have your pmags connected to an EI Commander or a laptop with EICad you have no idea what the pmags are doing.

Or you roll your own monitoring solution.

5 years of great service from my P-Mag. It may die tomorrow but so far it has performed as advertised.