Kevin;
Curious, isn’t it? We all start our
vehicles every day with no load, and never think a thing about. The first
start of my 20B on the dyno was with no load, and the first start on the plane
was without a prop. It idled fine at about 1200, and I could crack the
throttle a bit and control the speed without a problem. So it depends.
Thing is; it’s bad to take risks if you don’t
fully appreciate the risk you’re taking. If you don’t have an oversize
throttle plate, and have positive control on throttle position, know your carb
(or FI system), etc; go for it. Just recognize that with even small throttle
opening there is potential for the engine to rev up very quickly.
As far as cooling; it might be just
about as easy to rig a radiator and blower for cooling as the questionable
setup of a 50 ga drum. With no load and low rpm it will generate very little
heat; a household fan blowing on the radiator would likely be sufficient. And
when you do get a load on it, go to your friendly furnace repair service a get
a centrifugal blower for nothing. Of course you’ll also have to cool the oil.
And for sure don’t run without proper instrumentation.
All that said – is there some reason to
be in a big hurry to get this thing running?
FWIW;
Al G
-----Original Message-----
From: Rotary motors in aircraft
[mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On
Behalf Of Ed Anderson
Sent: Tuesday,
January 05, 2010 8:52 AM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: first
start check list
Kevin,
I certainly would not
start the engine without a load on it. Things don’t always go as planned
and more than one person has scattered parts or burnt bearings by having the
engine rev to destruction without a prop (or some kind of load). Make
sure you have oil to the bearings. I would take off the oil line going
back into the engine and crank engine until I see oil coming out before I would
even think of starting it. Folks have reversed the Goes inna and Comes
Outta connections on a remote oil filter – and no oil flows.
With an idle setting of
1600 rpm – if I take my prop off, the engine “idles” at 5000 + rpm. Crack
the throttle plate just a bit more and you easily may have 8000 rpm (or much
more)
Just not worth it in my
opinion.
Yes, if all goes as
planned you may have not problem – but, just bump the throttle cable or find
the rev limiter not set up properly and you could ruin your engine.
Good Luck
Ed
From: Rotary
motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of kevin lane
Sent: Monday, January
04, 2010 11:59 PM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] first start
check list
I am just about ready to
try my first attempt at starting my renesis. for my first phase, at
least, I've chosen to use a side draft Weber carb and DIS ignition system,
which Lynn designed using
an MSD ign box for the primaries and 2 Chrysler elec ign's for the trailing
plugs. I thought I'd ask before introducing gasoline to my
"creation" of any steps or checks I need to do first. the
engine and mount are bolted to a mockup plywood firewall held up with steel
legs. the psru is installed, as well as the radiators [oil & water].
exhaust is just headers for now [pointing down]. when I crank it over all
the plugs are firing [especially the MSD powered ones, which fire multiple
times below 1000rpm]. the carb is brand new, with whatever jets they come
with. haven't designed a leaning capability yet.
1. I need to add a oil
pressure gauge right away. I'll need water temp after it gets running for
any length of time. put mineral oil in for initial break-in [turrentine engine,
never run]
2. oh yeah, get it out of
the basement! guess airport best for making lots of noise
4. got the 6k rpm limiter
plugged in to the MSD
6. fabricate some remote
throttle cable? or do you just stand there and manipulate it by hand?
guess I fine tune timing
after it is running with a strobe light? I've marked the firing points on
the flexwheel. the pick-ups can be adjusted some if needed.
I assume I don't need a
prop or club at this point, right?
thought a small gravity
fed fuel tank would work at first.
should I buy new plugs?
the used ones that came with the engine seem to spark OK.
could I run this early on
with the water pump attached to say a 50 gallon tank of cold water rather than
trying to get it radiator cooled?
kevin [it won't be
loud, will it? ☺]
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