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When you fellows are wiring your dream machine, here is something you might
want to prevent.
Our 360 was being a little balky starting yesterday and I heated up the
solenoid with my repeated attempts.  Then the solenoid stuck in the on
position, prop is turning, engine is dead (thank goodness), key is now OFF.
 I calmly reassured my new female passenger that I had things well in hand
and pulled the mixture and then turned off the Master.  The starter stayed
on and the prop kept turning! and turning and turning..... We stayed in the
plane until the battery was completely dead and then exited carefully....I
left the Master on and the Strobe etc on to make sure that the battery
didn't decide to turn that prop some more...
Called my local mechanic and he was not surprised.  In some (most?) planes
the starter is wired directly to the battery with the Master only
controlling the solenoid.  If the solenoid sticks open the starter
continues to run until either the engine catches (buy a new starter) or the
battery runs down.  There is a way to put in two solenoids ( one between
the battery and the starter?) to prevent this and I would recommend it.
How do you wire it - haven't the foggiest - I'm a biologist and don't think
like that!  But its not hard if done while you are first wiring the thing
......I am told.
It is a real hair raiser to turn off the Master and have the starter still
grind away! Anyway we've got to buy a new solenoid, charge the battery etc.
so we can go to the flyin a week from Sunday at Fredricksburg VA and win
the race!!
Tracy Wilkins

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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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