skippydiesel

1 hour ago, IBob said:

Curious. I asked because, thinking of the various Rotax powered aircraft at our airfield, I'm not aware of any having that failure.
No doubt there will be a limit to the design output: I see 13.5A quoted.
There is also a potential problem (no pun intended) with turning off the master switch with the engine still running, in which case the DC output spikes. Or that's my understanding, hence the fitting of the external capacitor, to take the edge off that. Will that damage the regulator, or is that principally to protect avionics etc?

Check out Rotax Owner Forum - might take a day or two to read through the many pages of Rectifier issues.

My aircarft is fitted with an Earth X battery - 14V indicated is the norm.

Not the greatest understanding of electronics however my understanding of the 22000Mu capacitor, is to control/eliminate spikes which may interfere with other electronic systems on board, in particular the transceiver.

No idea why anyone would turn of the Master Switch, on a running engine, unless may be a suspected electrical fire/overheat.😈

1 hour ago, IBob said:

Is it a common problem, though???

Yes - Rotax/Ducati rectifier/regulators have always been a weak point in the Rotax system. Check out the Rotax Owners Forum and you will find pages & pages, going back to the early day of the 912, on this topic.

In general the failures are put down to locating the unit in a high temperature and or vibration environment. Poor connections and/or earthing. However it seems that no matter what care is taken the service life can be from as little as under a 100 hrs to 500 hrs or so.

The above mentioned aftermarket VR's, particularly those that list Rotax as a compatible user, seem to be exploiting this weakness.

My problem is I don't seem to be able to find much in the way of product reviews, to assist in making a selection.😈

Come on all you Rotax jockeys - This is a common problem. Must be lots of experience/opinions out there.😈

8 hours ago, dlegg said:

Yes, mine needs a heavy batt fwf. And for about $130 for a lead acid, can't fathom paying over $500 for a lithium.

Aside from the need for/against weight the EarthX is clamed to have a much longer service life (10+years?).

If true. the purchase price should be looked at as per annum cost when comparing with a conventional battery.

I have one in my Sonex - its performance (still young at 2 years ) is astonishing, able to deliver great cranking power, even after several weeks of idleness.😈

1 hour ago, IBob said:

Skippy, when you say 'extra careful grounding', presumably that includes the metal body of the regulator?
I ask because I'm aware of one that appeared to fail (it hadn't) because the body wasn't well grounded.

I always go the "extra mile" to ground all of my 12V systems, so yes body & any designated terminals all back to battery Neg (-) not just to airframe.😈

8 minutes ago, Red said:

I have a spare SHINDENGEN FH020AA from one of my bikes, the input is 3 phase, not sure can this be used single phase with just the 2 wires from the 912 generator?

You are a gentleman sir. Thanks for the offer. At this early stage of the investigation, I am keeping my options open but tending towards the OM as is a known plug & play fitting. 

The CARMO also attractive (recently fitted one to a motorbike) but not keen on changing out the connectors,  as in a very tight spot.😈

I seek your leaned advice;

At only 153 Hobbs hrs, my Rotax/Ducati Voltage Regulator seems to have "spat the dummy". This is despite mounting in cockpit (away from engine heat) extra careful grounding,  with dedicated fresh air supply. Now researching options - see below;

• Rotax/Ducati - Rotax PN 965349 / Ducati PN 362001. OM, poor reputation. About $350Au delivered

• CARMO CARR5115 MOSFET - local supplier "Vectriq Parts". Seem to have a strong following. Non standard Rotax connection. Claims of cooler operating and no need for 22000 Mu capacitor. About $300Au delivered.

• Silent Hektik DE - As yet no local supplier found. Confusing model descriptions. Confusing prices  $160 - 192Au in Germany. Fitted by at least one small aircraft manufacture. No reviews at this stage (see reading list below). 

• Electrosport ESR439 - Fitted to various motorcycles including Honda. About $300Au delivered. No aircraft related reviews.

• Advanced Voltage controller - Claimed to be specific aircraft VR. Estimated $570Au delivered. No reviews

• SHINDENGEN FH020AA  - Original fitted to various motorcycles. Look great. Prices vary from about $50 Au (copy?) to $500Au. No aircraft related reviews

• Mower style VR's eg suited to John Deere. 

Suggested reading, curtesy of "RV12 Build Log"

•  http://ctflier.com/topic/2371-regulator-rectifier-longish-and-techie/
•  http://www.dogaviation.com/2016/01/the-ducati-voltage-regulator-dilemma.html

It seems to me that the price of small (1 -2 seat) aircraft is effected by:

Factory Built - pretty much been on a rocket ride for the last 3-4 years

Kit Built - more like an express elevator.

In/Out of fashion - inexplicable popularity of some aircraft, has seen crazy prices, corresponding slower rise in the less well regarded/promoted.

CV19 causing massive disruption in World trade, may have been the catalyst ????

The Donald policies may likewise disrupt the ordered flow of goods, causing similar rises in material costs ????

Security instability, negatively impacting raw material supply, production, delivery, diversion of resources to military ????

Humans are consumers - price of goods goes up - wages rise to compensate - inflation spiral, always there, just faster at some periods.😈

From Earth X : EarthX Announcement!

FROGS HOLLOW FROM TOMORROW 

The first hurdle , with Consumer Law " is paying for it. I went down this rabbit hole many years ago.

• Make a complaint to the authority
• Authority contacts product supplier
• Product supplier denies any responsibility
• Authority, no power of enforcement
• Advised I can take the matter to be heard by court
• First lodge $k?
• What? Faulty product cost $65
• Accept have been duded
• End of story

😈

To each his own.

"Schmick"  looking planes - especially like the tail dragger

I point out that you can have a 27 knot stall (STAL) AND a 135 knot cruise, using a 100 hp Rotax 912,  that will take-off, on grass, in sub 100m and land in not much more.

In other words, there are aircraft that are what I would call , a good compromise not, as most people seem to think, one or the other.😈

11 hours ago, Blueadventures said:

If I was affected that would not be good enough.  You should be able to drop of the plane and pickup when done.  Or if distance a problem the removal and refit etc at their expense.  Could maybe make for a class action.

Your expectations seem a tad high. You purchase a cheap engine, from a relativly small manufacturer and then expect big company service.

While I admire Jabs, my possibly erroneous, perception is they are purchased on price - Yah Gets What Youse Pays For😈

I wonder how long the market will support "bush" type aircraft. Many have come & gone and many still remain.

• What is the attraction?
• Why don't pilots go for aircraft with wider speed envelopes (more efficient X country)?

😈

Interesting .

Didnt know RV were going down this well warn track (C150 et al), very like Sonex.

Both are going for strut braced wings.

Sonex seem to be continuing down their very basic aircraft philosophy - at this stage no wing tanks (crazy)😈

Interesting article on what goes into certifying a filter https://www.kitplanes.com/oil-filter-testing/😈

Weather looking good for the Frogs Hollow weekend.😈

Dont know the 😈to the rebate question BUT

Why would you have the SK2 OUT capability turned off???

Probably have sell you child into slavery but you could price out a Rotax oil pressure sensor😈

Hi Pat,

• What is the purpose/function of the brake regulator in your system?
• Given that you can reset the system by pulling up the master cylinders, is there any reason why you can't fit springs to encourage the cylinders to return to the ready position?😈

4 hours ago, Geoff_H said:

I would never put my life in the trust of a Chinese made product.   I have too much crap that was made in China.  Bought carbide tool system to curt thread on lathe.  It broke 10 tips without a single pass ( some at only a few thou deep) in steel.  Dis cut a thread in aluminium 

I can hear an echo from the 1960-70' - "Japanese trash!"

"You gets what you pays for" - you want good Chinese tooling - it will cost youas much as the Yankee stuff - want better - you may have to go German or English.

The Chinese have put people in space, are only slightly behind Uncle Sam in warships, make most of the EV's and solar panels and had gunpowder, medicine and ceramics, while we were barely out of wearing animal skins  😈

2 hours ago, kgwilson said:

Not sure of the brand but like most things it is made in China. It is quite compact at about 70mm x 70mm. I have it velcroed on to the panel. It cost about $30.00 5 or 6 years ago

The above Quell replaced an earlier one at about $30. The first had replaceable batteries (recommended @ every 12 months) the new one is good for 10 years and in comparison weighs almost nothing. Like you I have used Velcro to secure it and to place it in a position where it would be sampling Pilot  breathing air.😈

16 hours ago, Kiwi said:

What CO  detector do you have, and what did it cost?

$62 for this. Designed for homes/caravans/boats/etc.  10 years battery. Records Max ppm. Lightweight. Audio & Visual alarm.

Seven days from tomorrow!😈

1 hour ago, BurnieM said:

No solar panels I can see.

 

 

ALL our common energy sources come from the Sun.

Arguably , tidal comes from the Moon😈