VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #11  
Old 04-22-2007, 06:30 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
Senior Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default Thanks

Bob, thanks for the reply. I already have the timing box, so that is not an issue.

There may be a comp hookup cable in there also, wouldnt surprise me.

My main concern is the reliability of the system-----extra HP/economy would be a nice plus, however the reliability is paramount.

My questioning is related to whether I should go ahead and use the system I already have--------after all, it is PAID FOR. Or should I just bite the bullet and go for another system, and sell the Laser.

I think maybe I should give Malon or Bart or the folks at Barrett a call on this.

Once again, thanks for the input.

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-22-2007, 07:19 PM
walter's Avatar
walter walter is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Mansfield TX
Posts: 339
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Axsom
You cannot hand prop a LASAR ignition system for example. If you are flying along and kill the engine by running a tank dry and you have a dead battery you can restart it with the 1500 rpm windmilling prop but a dead battery is a no-start condition on the ground. If you get a dead battery on the ground and try to jump start it, the prop will spin it will not start for me.
Actually, Unison offers a version of the LASAR ignition that can be hand
propped with what they call a "Bush Kit", which includes a standard impulse
coupling on one mag.
__________________
Walter Tondu
Flying RV-8A - Fastback, IO-390, G3X Touch, 74 HRT
Prior RV-7A Build Log
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-23-2007, 10:02 AM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,685
Default Customer Support - Having a little trouble reaching them

I called every number I could find on the Unison website but have only been able to leave messages so far. Not very comforting. I hope it is because of the Sun 'n Fun interference with normal operations.

Bob Axsom
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-23-2007, 12:21 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
Senior Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default

Well, I just spoke with Bart at Aerosport, and he was kind enough to spend a few minutes with me about this.

To sum it up, the early systems did have problems, electrical in nature, mostly a non issue now that they have redesigned things.

New system has an external relay mounted in the line from the mag, old one had the relay inside the mag. You can tell by a "bulge" in the wire bundle from the mag.

Barts suggestion was to go ahead and use what I have----new stuff----as it is already paid for, and to use all the sensors-----CHT, MAP. If I recall correctly, one of the prior posters said they did not use CHT.

Anyway, that is what I know for now.

Thanks again to Bart for taking the time to explain all this to me, and I am not even a customer---------

Mike

Last edited by Mike S : 04-23-2007 at 12:21 PM. Reason: spelling correction
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-23-2007, 04:29 PM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,685
Default Repair Info

Systems manufactured since 2000 are repairable but I have to get the manual (L-1503 I believe). My Mags also have the "in cable" component and the were manufactured in 2004 as indicated by the "04" in the first two digit positions of the serial number. Unison has contacted me and they needed the model number to give me the right manual. I e-mailed that information to Dave Conklin at Unison. For now I agree with what Bart told you, the performance of my LASAR system has been fine until the mag check failure a couple of days ago.

In talking with one of the people at Unison I learned the problem I experienced is probably due to the breaker points in the right mag. In normal LASAR operation the breaker points are not used but when the mag goes to normal mag operation during a electrical failure or a mag check the breaker points become the spark control device. That is certainly consistent with my experience. It started and ran normally until I selected the mags which forces the system into the backup electromechanical mag function. The left mag worked properly in this mode but the right mag was rough with rpms dropping drastically toward 1400 then continuing down at a much slower rate but total stoppage seemed likely. I noticed in the 500 hour maintenance the points are to be replaced. Imagine that, something mechanical requires maintenance. I can deal with that - things are looking OK for me.



Bob Axsom
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 04-23-2007, 04:45 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
Senior Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Axsom
Imagine that, something mechanical requires maintenance. I can deal with that - things are looking OK for me.Bob Axsom
Glad things are looking OK, thanks for the info.

After talking to Bart, and reading what you have posted, I am a lot more comfortable in keeping the setup as is.

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 04-24-2007, 10:24 AM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,685
Default L-1363C?

The manual for Magneto Maintenance and Overhaul sent to me by Unison is L-1363C. I do not feel real comfortable with this yet because the company makes LASAR and Non-LASAR magnetos and in a brief look I have not seen my specific model numbers in the manual. L-1500 is the big manual for the LASAR System and I am going to buy that to resolve the questions that I have.

Bob Axsom
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 04-24-2007, 11:49 PM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,685
Default L-1503 is the correct manual

I overcame some Apple interface problems by talking to the website manager and completed the order of the $100 master manual for the Lasar System. Web access was then granted and I found the the correct manual for the LASAR mag maintenance and overhaul is L-1503.

Bob Axsom
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 04-27-2007, 12:06 AM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,685
Default There still seems to be a little problem

Still trying to work the problem but there is no solution in sight at the moment. T-100 tool kit availability, repair Parts availability and even complete replacement mags are unknown regardless of money. It is not the same situation I experienced in 2004 when I was working through the timing problem from Lycoming. I'm concerned but still trying.

Bob Axsom
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 04-27-2007, 06:30 AM
Nuisance's Avatar
Nuisance Nuisance is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Pagosa Springs, CO
Posts: 130
Default

Bob, unfortunately, you are reaching the same point I did when I abandoned LASAR. It seemed that Unison was just not supporting the product. There have been no new developments in the product line for some time, and the shift from factory support to dealer support is not an improvement. I suspect that it is a failure business wise, since it was never widely adopted in the certified fleet.

Couple that with the obvious reliability problems that result from having both a mechanical and electronic system and we have a bad situation for the users.

I finally put my system on ebay, and went with Lightspeed, which has been flawless, and still enjoys the support (albeit a little cranky, maybe) of its inventor.

John
__________________
John Huft
RV8 "Nuisance"
Pagosa Springs, CO

www.lazy8.net/rv8.html
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:44 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.