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3 Apr 10        Today - 0.8        Total - 69.4

Yesterday, I changed the Schottky diode so that electric flow is correct according to the diagrams.  However, I'm confused about what is going on.  I can power up items on the main bus without out turning on the main battery or closing the bus tie.  That doesn't make sense.  According tot he way I designed the system the standby battery should not be able to power the main bus unless the bus tie is closed.  That indicates to me that the diode has failed.  I'll contact Eric Jones at Perhelion Design to see if failure is frequent.

The bus voltage drops to 11.8 unless the bus tie is closed and then it jumps to 14.0.  It simply does not make sense.  I must be doing something wrong.

I ran today at 23" MP and 2300 RPM and 10 GPH and 150 KIAS (160 KTAS) at 2000" MSL.  The fuela computer is not yet exact - it is reading slightly higher than the actual fuel flow, but it appears that I can comfortably flight plan for 160 KTAS at 10 GPH.  That will give me 500 NM range with one hour of reserve in VFR and IFR unless an alternate is needed.

Today's engine readings

OAT RPM MP FF OilP OilT 1 2 3 4
73 2314 23 10.0 81 179 EGT 1481 1432 1465 1393
CHT 305 309 349 325

 

6 Apr 10        Today - 1.1        Total - 70.5

A flight to check TAS measurements and got the following:

4500' MSL   163 KIAS   177 KTAS   12.3 GPH

Track - 110    GS - 165

Track - 235    GS - 173

Track -353    GS - 182

Derived TAS - 173    Derived wind - 145/10    Indicated wind - varied wildly.

Used the AP for heading and altitude control and it did a reasonable job.

 

Engine Readings for today

163 KIAS   177 KTAS   4500'
OAT RPM MP FF OilP OilT 1 2 3 4
72 2451 24.4 12.3 81 180 EGT 1515 1451 1508 1425
CHT 318 325 366 341
163 KIAS   177 KTAS   4500'
OAT RPM MP FF OilP OilT 1 2 3 4
71 2452 24.4 12.3 81 180 EGT 1515 1451 1509 1426
CHT 318 324 366 342

 

My tiny oil leak is worsening.  It is near cylinder #3.  It could be the oil return line.

 

11 Apr 10

Well, the exhaust support bracket broke again - no surprise.  But, the right side is not breaking.  There must be a difference between them.  I decided to go nuclear with the left bracket and made it with a rod end bearing as the connect part instead of flattening the end of a round tube.  The previous breaks have all occurred at the point where the tube was flattened.  So, I left the tube round and threaded it and put in a rod end bearing with a jam nut.  I'll see how long this one lasts.

Exhaust13.JPG (1634269 bytes) Left is the still unbroken right exhaust hanger bracket.  Right shows my nuclear option for the continually breaking left exhaust hanger bracket.  The steel mounting bracket shown had to be remade and the hose has to be changed. Exhaust14.JPG (1535375 bytes)
Exhaust16.JPG (1577129 bytes) Exhaust15.JPG (1682221 bytes) Exhaust17.JPG (1626601 bytes)
One shot of the beefier hanger Another angle This shows how the tubing was flattened and a hole drilled for mounting (right) and my mod to the left bracket.

Also may have found the source of the oil leak.  It appears the left P Mag is leaking at its base.  So, I'll pull the P Mag and put on a new gasket and retime it tomorrow.  Hopefully that will solve the oil leak problem.

 

12 Apr 10        Today - 0.6        Total - 71.1

Short local hop for fun.

 

13 Apr 10        Today - 1.8        Total - 72.9

Multiple trips to Sun 'n Fun during the week.  Met up with cousin-in-law Bhrent Waddell of Tulsa and we flew several formation flights. Bhrent01.JPG (1289403 bytes)
Intake50.JPG (1497297 bytes) During preflight for trip to SnF on Friday, I discovered one of the two screws in the ram air intake was missing.  There was only one place it could have gone - in the engine.

The next morning I got the engine bore scoped and there was no damage in the cylinders.  The A&P suggested I pull the intake pipes and check the intake plenum for the screw.  I found nothing but oil in the plenum (looks like I need to add a sniffle valve to the plenum).  So, I decided to pull the ram air system and send it to Rod Bower for inspection.  I heard the screw rattling around inside the canister.  At least the screw was found, but now to find out why it came loose (the second screw was also loose).

Rod called and said his examination showed he had not put red Locktite on the screws during installation.  So, if you bought one of Rod's ram air intakes, it would be prudent to make sure the screws are tight, have red Locktite, and are spread on the end of the screw.  Rod has been very honest and straight forward with me.  I still recommend his ram air system.

Engine readings for 13 Apr 10

OAT RPM MP FF OilP OilT 1 2 3 4
70 2551 27.2 15.5 82 181 EGT 1431 1405 1424 1353
CHT 318 330 367 337
OAT RPM MP FF OilP OilT 1 2 3 4
72 2498 25.5 13.3 81 177 EGT 1449 1421 1452 1374
CHT 311 321 357 329
OAT RPM MP FF OilP OilT 1 2 3 4
71 2495 20.1 10.9 81 177 EGT 1326 1304 1321 1246
CHT 293 298 327 302

 

14 Apr 10        Today - 1.8        Total - 74.7

Engine Readings for today

OAT RPM MP FF OilP OilT 1 2 3 4
71 2399 18.8 10.3 80 169 EGT 1450 1453 1434 1377
CHT 294 296 335 307
OAT RPM MP FF OilP OilT 1 2 3 4
72 2452 23.9 13.1 80 177 EGT 1486 1466 1478 1387
CHT 307 318 354 327

 

 

15 Apr 10        Today - 2.2        Total - 76.9

Engine Readings for today

OAT RPM MP FF OilP OilT 1 2 3 4
71 2676 22.3 13 81 179 EGT 1388 1388 1391 1313
CHT 320 328 376 334
OAT RPM MP FF OilP OilT 1 2 3 4
70 2465 24 12 82 177 EGT 1481 1464 1472 1383
CHT 308 318 355 326
OAT RPM MP FF OilP OilT 1 2 3 4
73 2447 22.4 11 81 177 EGT 1467 1449 1450 1369
CHT 308 318 354 323

 

24 Apr 10

Ordered 8 new NGK BR8EIX spark plugs from Aircraft Spruce (lowest price anywhere at $7.50).  Those are Iridium plugs and have a very small (3mm) electrode which will supposedly produce a more complete flame front.  I'm going to try them and check them every 3-4 months to see how they're doing.  Thus far, I'm very happy with the NGK BR8ES plugs.  They are burning cleanly with little to no fouling.  Only one plug has fouling and it is the lower plug on cylinder 3.

I'm also working on several electrical issues while waiting on the ram air canister to return.  I replaced the failed Perhelion Design dimmer switch - I'll mail the old one back to Eric.  I like his stuff, but this is the third failure I've had with his products.  Actually, I haven't yet proven the third failure, but his power schottky is highly suspect.

 

Next update 29 Apr 10