AHaury
Active Member
I could use some input from anyone regarding a nagging issue that may have escalated to a big issue this past weekend. I've got a purchased-flying RV-6A, 557 TT on plane and new engine. Built in 2005, sold to second owner 2008, I picked it up in 2012 and I've put close to 200 of those total hours on it. The second-owner upgraded to a Tru-Trak but outside of that no electrical changes made. My only change has been to put in new stick grips with a new PTT switch which I did about 180 hours ago. The last IFR certification of the systems was done last year, conditional inspection is current as of Oct 2014.
I'm having electrical issues now that I can't pin down. I've had difficult cranking at times (turn the key, just hear a click, turn it back, it starts slowly). Pulled the battery, it seemed to test fine. Coupled with that I've had 3 issues where everything went off, then back on. Like I flipped the master switch off, then on. I one situation I was on an IFR plan and ATC didn't ask about losing transponder it was that quick. The first time I thought I had bumped the switch or something. The last time this occurred just as I hit the PTT switch. I've also noted a low voltage reading in flight at times. Again, the last time this "outage" occurred the voltage was reading low, as I hit the PTT, everything clicked off/on, and when the panel came alive again, the voltage went into the normal range.
I've gone out for hours in the local area trying to determine what is happening. The last situation occurred yesterday as I was turning onto the runway, full power and had an incredibly strong electrical burning smell. I aborted, back to the ramp, pulled the cowl, could find nothing that even appeared to have been hot. Put it all back together, started right up. Flew for 15 mins no smell.
I read Paul Dye's recent post about the starter solenoid and that is another check to make. I'm not very electrical smart, but need some basic suggestions on where to start. Talk slow...
I'm having electrical issues now that I can't pin down. I've had difficult cranking at times (turn the key, just hear a click, turn it back, it starts slowly). Pulled the battery, it seemed to test fine. Coupled with that I've had 3 issues where everything went off, then back on. Like I flipped the master switch off, then on. I one situation I was on an IFR plan and ATC didn't ask about losing transponder it was that quick. The first time I thought I had bumped the switch or something. The last time this occurred just as I hit the PTT switch. I've also noted a low voltage reading in flight at times. Again, the last time this "outage" occurred the voltage was reading low, as I hit the PTT, everything clicked off/on, and when the panel came alive again, the voltage went into the normal range.
I've gone out for hours in the local area trying to determine what is happening. The last situation occurred yesterday as I was turning onto the runway, full power and had an incredibly strong electrical burning smell. I aborted, back to the ramp, pulled the cowl, could find nothing that even appeared to have been hot. Put it all back together, started right up. Flew for 15 mins no smell.
I read Paul Dye's recent post about the starter solenoid and that is another check to make. I'm not very electrical smart, but need some basic suggestions on where to start. Talk slow...