Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #49193
From: Steve Brooks <cozy4pilot@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: No start
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:33:51 -0500
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Al & Mark,
I would say that many people may have their ground to the engine block. Mine has been that way since I built the plane, and worked fine for three or four years before I started having an issue.

I had to order a couple of new crimp connectors, so that I can make a longer ground cable. Hopefully they will arrive before Thanksgiving, so that I can get it all hooked up over the long weekend.

Steve Brooks


Al Gietzen wrote:

Steve,

I read your other post on what you discovered regarding your bad ground. I wonder how many of us have our engine grounds tied to a bolt near the front cover or end housing? (Mine does...)

Mark S.

Mine does as well – bolts to the front cover. I have never had a starting issue, but I have followed this discussion with interest because a couple of years ago I did a starting spark check and found the sparks considerably weaker than the mode 8 (or whatever) check. I just assumed it was due to the voltage drawdown when the starter was running. Now it’s worth another look.

I recall giving it some thought when doing the wiring (My EC/EM manuals apparently predated Tracy recommended wiring diagram). I concluded that the various things bolted to the engine, like the manifolds, would provide good conduction paths regardless of the sealing between layers – and the 20B has a couple more layers. Both my intake and exhaust flanges are continuous and connect all the layers, and there are other things making the connection to the front cover, so this would be less of an issue compared to an installation having separate flanges to each housing.

Anyway, Steve; I’m glad you found the problem. And thanks; it’s a help to the rotary community, and again proves the value of a list such as this.

Al G


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