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Problem after first engine start of ULS

AeroDog

AeroDog

Well Known Member
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The first engine start of my ULS two days ago went well. The engine fired right up, and with the exception of a low idle and lower-than-expected voltage, things looked good. Today I did the second start for the purpose of balancing the carbs. Again, it fired up immediately, let it warm up, then shut down to adjust the idle speed. When I attempted to start it again, it wouldn't even click the solenoid when I turned the key. The Dynon came up normally, just no starter motor engagement. The voltage never showed higher than 13.1, which may be a separate issue, but the battery was fully charged. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Jerre
 
AeroDog said:
The first engine start of my ULS two days ago went well. The engine fired right up, and with the exception of a low idle and lower-than-expected voltage, things looked good. Today I did the second start for the purpose of balancing the carbs. Again, it fired up immediately, let it warm up, then shut down to adjust the idle speed. When I attempted to start it again, it wouldn't even click the solenoid when I turned the key. The Dynon came up normally, just no starter motor engagement. The voltage never showed higher than 13.1, which may be a separate issue, but the battery was fully charged. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Jerre
Click to expand...
check the spar pin switches. is the Red Spar Pin Overide illumintated? Maybe the START fuse?
 
np12 said:
check the spar pin switches. is the Red Spar Pin Overide illumintated? Maybe the START fuse?
Click to expand...
I believe the big red light has been illuminated for all starts because I need to adjust the switches. Does that disable the ignition?
 
AeroDog said:
I believe the big red light has been illuminated for all starts because I need to adjust the switches. Does that disable the ignition?
Click to expand...
Looking at the wiring diagram, it appears that the spar pin circuit is an annunciation only and can't disable the ignition.
 
The spar pin circuit definitely can disable the starter. One would not want to start the engine and go flying without the wings locked in place.
 
Are your spar pin switches magnetic reed switches? If so, the switches should be mounted vertically, parallel with the magnets, not perpendicular.
 
Mich48041 said:
Are your spar pin switches magnetic reed switches? If so, the switches should be mounted vertically, parallel with the magnets, not perpendicular.
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The switches are the new style. I'll check their orientation. If they have the ability to disable the starter then that explains it. Maybe I'm mistaken about the red light being on for the previous starts (hope so). Now all I have to do is figure out why the charging circuit only shows a max of 13.1 volts. Thanks.
 
What regulator do you have? Some of the SK regulators charged in steps starting at a lower voltage and not reaching 14.1V until 10 minutes into the run.
 
AeroDog said:
The switches are the new style. I'll check their orientation. If they have the ability to disable the starter then that explains it. Maybe I'm mistaken about the red light being on for the previous starts (hope so). Now all I have to do is figure out why the charging circuit only shows a max of 13.1 volts. Thanks.
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Have you tried pushing the Spar Pin Override button (the big red light) while turning the start key? If that doesn’t work then it’s not likely spar pins are the problem.
 
AeroDog said:
Silent Hektik
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Model # for the SH?
I had a F4118, it was rated 13-14v.
It would charge in the low 13v range for 10 minutes then step up to 13.8. SH did this in the software to keep the regulator from overheating after the battery drop of the engine start. I recently replaced it with a PMR1D, part # xB102-1, from B&C Specialty Products. It comes on full charge immediately. It was a good match to the EarthX battery upgrade.
 
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