Paul,

   You've just made a very good case for going back to the
stock ECM.  How many aircraft are _flying_ on the MicroTech
controller?  How many are flying on Tracy's controller?
The MicroTech controller may be a great unit, but - as you
are beginning to see - you are breaking new ground with
your specific application.  If you don't want to be a
trailblazer on that many levels (experimental, rotary
engine, prop, & 3rd party ECU) then the smple solution is
to use the Mazda EC - at least until you get all the other
systems stable.

   I would suppose that, in time, a somewhat standardized
map will be compiled by others who fly the MicroTech, and
share their experiences.  Then it will be possible to mount
an EC system that is "close enough" to fly, virtually "out
of the box".  Until then, _someone_ is going to have to
endure the pain of tuning and testing.

   You've also confimed the wisdom of my decision to run
my engine on a test stand until I get as many of the
functions tuned, as can be done on the ground.  I expect
I'll have about 40 hours on the engine before it even
touches the airframe.

Regards,
Dale R.
COZY MkIV #1254

> From: "Paul" <sqpilot@bellsouth.net>
> Date: 2005/02/09 Wed AM 02:39:17 EST
> To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
> Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Microtech EFI and Tuning,  was Re: [FlyRotary]
>  Re: Bad day at the airport
>
> Hi, Leon....thanks for responding.  I am not quite sure I understand what you meant about the risks I have taken so far.  I have done many full power runups on the ground with the nose of the aircraft up against my van (with a large 8inch deep block of foam inbetween), and adjusted the mixtures until I got the highest rpm's I could, then continued leaning until the egt peaked, then started to surge, then richened it back up until it ran smoothly and the egt's stabilized.  I got up to 5100 rpms static, and most people told me that the prop would most likely unload in flight.  How can I obtain more than 5100 rpm's unless I fly it?  I have 9.5 hours of smooth, uneventful flight, without the engine ever missing a beat.  I always climbed to at least 2500 feet directly above the airport prior to making any mixture changes. My primary concern with my engine is the lack of power, which you said was because I have a turbo engine without a turbo, which would only give me around 140 horsepower. After reading your recommendations, I am presently building a street ported 4-port with NA rotors and housings.
>      I guess I don't understand your statement "Considering the risks Paul has taken so far....he should take the engine out of the aircraft, take it to a professional engine tuner and stick it on a dyno, and get it properly tuned".  If I take it off the aircraft, do I also take along both fuel pumps, filters, hoses, surge tank, MicroTech ECU, handset, exhaust system, wiring harness, etc?  
>       As far as bucks, that is no problem.  I would gladly spend the money for safety. I talked to Dave Atkins several times regarding this. He was somewhat helpful, but I kinda got the feeling I was taking him away from his work.  He is over 2000 miles away, so coming to Alabama to tune if for me is not an option.  I checked with the local Mazda rebuilder, and he has rebuilt many rotaries, but has never used a MicroTech ECU.  I had no luck locating anyone familiar with the MicroTech in the yellow pages of the phone book. That's one of the reasons I am considering a carburetor....all of the A&P mechanics at the airport are familiar with the aircraft carburetor....none of them are familiar with the MicroTech. I would be more than happy to pay for the help....I just can't find it.  As far as MicroTech, I even contacted MicroTech USA and asked them if they had the original factory default settings so that I could reset my unit to factory default settings, and they told me to contact the dealer I purchased it from. I asked Dave Atkins, (I purchased it from Dave) and he does not have that information. I called MicroTech back, and they informed me that was because Atkins Rotary is not an authorized MicroTech dealer.  Guess I am out of luck.  Thanks for all the support, MicroTech.  
>       I wish to point out that I am in no way condemming the MicroTech ECU. It was easy to install with it's pre-wired harness and excellent instruction manual and schematics. It has more features than I will ever use, to include data mapping. You can even limit rpm's, boost, turn on auxillary cooling fans, change the timing, mixture, amount of milliseconds the injectors are open, adjust how much extra fuel is injected for cold start enrichment, hell, I think it will even cook your breakfast and do the dishes. Finding someone familiar with the MicroTech for assistance is another story, however.  Paul Conner