|
-
POSTING RULES

-
Donate yearly (please).
-
Advertise in here!
-
Today's Posts
|
Insert Pics
|

08-20-2016, 08:36 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: OH
Posts: 140
|
|
Warm Master Selenoid
I was doing some checks on my RV8 electrical system that I just finished a few weeks ago. This is a brand new plane under construction. Before I fired up any of the Garmin G3x stuff, I tested the usual systems , starter , fuel pump lights etc. all seemed to work fine. I fired up the G3x and it also come on line with no problems.
Yesterday I had everything on line and tested the starter again. When the starter turned all my other electronics died. As soon as the starter stopped they came back on. It appears that the current draw from the starter took the voltage available to the other Items so low they shut down ( most of the G3X stuff shuts down below 11 volts or so). I have a new odyssey battery 680 and it appears to be charged. Here are my questions.
1. Battery solenoid gets warm with the battery master on. Is this normal?
2. Could this be a battery issue?
3. What test can I perform on the solenoid, battery etc. ?
Thanks
|

08-20-2016, 08:43 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,408
|
|
(1) yes
(2) possibly a low battery
(3) if it was your solenoid I would doubt you could start engine, check the volts and cold cranking amps on your battery with an amp meter. I doubt your problem isn't something many have encountered. I have back up batteries on the electronics and I assume they prevent them from shutting down.
__________________
Thanks Ron
RV-10 SOLD
RV-14 Flying
AirCam flying
|

08-20-2016, 08:57 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dogwood Airpark (VA42)
Posts: 2,597
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by laz
1. Battery solenoid gets warm with the battery master on. Is this normal?
2. Could this be a battery issue?
3. What test can I perform on the solenoid, battery etc. ?
Thanks
|
Any of these could be the problem, plus others.
A PC-680 is not invincible. Some panels these days draw in excess of 20 amps. This means a PC-680 will be flat in less than an hour. Before you get too deep into troubleshooting, put a charger on the battery with the master off. Keep a volt meter on the battery to monitor terminal voltage. When the voltage gets to 14.5 vdc or so remove the charger. Never leave a charger or battery tender on an Odyssey battery as most do more harm than good.
With the battery charged, remove the charger and let the terminal voltage stabilize (master still OFF). You should have 12.5vdc terminal voltage for a fully charged battery.
If all is well, try engaging the starter with the panel OFF, but keep your voltmeter on the battery terminals. I suspect you will see the voltage drop below 11 - which, depending on your wiring selection, will be about normal.
If all this checks out, the last step is to modify your engine start procedures so you start with the panel OFF.
Carl
|

08-20-2016, 10:23 AM
|
|
Super Moderator
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Locust Grove, GA
Posts: 2,627
|
|
Actually, OCV (open circuit voltage) for a fully charged Odyssey should be around 12.8 Volts. Less than that and it is propbably bad.
Vic
__________________
 Vic Syracuse
Built RV-4, RV-6, 2-RV-10's, RV-7A, RV-8, Prescott Pusher, Kitfox Model II, Kitfox Speedster, Kitfox 7 Super Sport, Just Superstol, DAR, A&P/IA, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor, CFII-ASMEL/ASES
Kitplanes "Unairworthy" monthly feature
EAA Sport Aviation "Checkpoints" column
EAA Homebuilt Council Chair/member EAA BOD
Author "Pre-Buy Guide for Amateur-Built Aircraft"
www.Baselegaviation.com
|

08-20-2016, 10:32 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
|
|
Warm solenoid question...
The solenoid consumes about 3 amps when it is on. This is about 36 watts.
Think about touching a 25 watt incandescent bulb when it is on...
Warm is normal.
__________________
Gil Alexander
EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
|

08-20-2016, 10:51 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: OH
Posts: 140
|
|
I guess the question is is it normal to have the Efis G3x touch, go blank when engaging the starter. I have a TCW backup battery that would prevent this but its was not connected.
|

08-20-2016, 10:54 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dogwood Airpark (VA42)
Posts: 2,597
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by az_gila
Warm solenoid question...
The solenoid consumes about 3 amps when it is on. This is about 36 watts.
Think about touching a 25 watt incandescent bulb when it is on...
Warm is normal.
|
Yep - it turns out the master solenoid is a power hog. I had two of these (one for each battery) so they were consuming more power than anything else.
I now use these: https://www.amazon.com/SYSTEMS-Blue-...e+sea+solenoid
It draws only 0.13 amps for hold current. The price is too high - but I was able to find them for a lot less on eBay.
Carl
|

08-20-2016, 10:56 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: X35 - Ocala, FL
Posts: 3,679
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by laz
I guess the question is is it normal to have the Efis G3x touch, go blank when engaging the starter. I have a TCW backup battery that would prevent this but its was not connected.
|
Very few instruments will operate at a voltage low enough for the starter to engage and them stay on. It is normal for the EFIS to reset when you crank. That is one of the benefits of the TCW backup battery.
__________________
Jesse Saint
|

08-20-2016, 06:47 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 69
|
|
I thought you were supposed to have your radios and electronics powered off when starting. Is that idea out of date?
__________________
Tim
RV-7A N54LH O360 CS 1000+ Hobbs
Joined VAF 2015
2019 VAF dues Paid
|

08-20-2016, 06:51 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tthrew
I thought you were supposed to have your radios and electronics powered off when starting. Is that idea out of date?
|
It is if the parts are from Dynon... 
__________________
Gil Alexander
EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:44 AM.
|