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I like to see some expertise put into adding
backup ignition & fuel delivery systems. Could a carburetor with its own fuel feed double as a
throttle body, and could a magneto be used to run the ignition?
John
Funny, but I've been thinking the same thing about the carb.
It just seems like a natural way to have a backup fuel device, though
transitioning from one to the other on the fly for testing could be entertaining
:-) The only thing you'd have to add is a low pressure fuel pump for the
carb. You could even look at this as something to use in the event of an
alternator failure, since it would draw less current than the EFI
system.
As for ignition, I haven't worked that part out
yet. The temptation would be to try to have two high tension
wires connected to the leading plugs, but what effect that would have on
the system that wasn't on would be the question. I haven't looked
into it that closely.
I actually told someone this morning about the long
time dream of having a centerline thrust twin, where each engine would
actually have enough power to fly the plane. The original idea was
for two Rotax engines, because at the time, they were cheap,
light, and reliability wouldn't be so much of an issue. Now, the dream
centers around two single rotor engines, but you'd need the aluminum housings to
make it worthwhile for weight. This would be the ultimate
in redundancy, and you wouldn't worry about putting two of everything on
each engine. Most of these engine computers, and EFI pumps, etc are so
reliable as to almost make it a waste to have a
spare.
Cheers,
Rusty (dream over, back to reality)
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