ShawnM

5 hours ago, Kevin said:

Thanks uropilot. I agree. This site seems to have great folks that are willing to help out and share their experience. This is also my first plane. Really enjoy it, as soon as I get it cranked again!

Did you happen to brainstorm with the techs at Lockwood about your issue? I chat with Dean from time to time and he's forgotten more than I've learned about the 912. A wealth of knowledge just a phone call away.

The black wires coming out of the connectors in the photo with the blue zip tie are the wires that were added and should run to the start solenoid. This is what activates the advanced start feature. After the engine starts, approximately 4-8 seconds later the rpm should increase slightly and the engine smooths out. This is the soft start feature working.

I've personally never heard of the new modules going bad but there's a first time for everything.

Maybe our resident Rotax guru Roger has some insight. 

Attached is the wiring diagram from Rotax for the wiring needed to enable the advanced start feature, ie, soft start.

Rotax Easy Start Wiring.pdf

Here's a link to SI-912-028 with more details.

http://wordpress.p481126.webspaceconfig.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SI_912_028R0_advancedStartSystem.pdf

What's odd is that the Rotax part number on the side of the module is correct but the year of the engine and the year of the plane both came before Rotax ever released their soft start ignition modules. If I remember correctly they released the new ignition modules in 2010 or 2011. Is there a log entry for any repair or replacement of the ignition modules? Are there 6 wires in the Molex style plug on the aircraft side?  This will tell you if there are any modifications needed with new modules. Is one of them violet? When the plane did start did you confirm the soft start working when the engine started?

I've never tried the hot/cold method to get the plane to start so I cant answer that question.

Perfect, thanks. The engine is a 2009 so it's possible that they finally went belly up. You can remove them and send them to Lockwood for a test. This is probably the easiest part. I was fortunate enough to be sharing a hangar at the time mine went bad with another LSA owner and he let our mechanic remove his known good modules and install them in my plane for a test. My plane started right up so I knew mine were bad. Actually one was bad but you replace both with the newest ones with soft start.

The part number on my new modules is 965-444 and I believe the latest ones are 965-446 but you can verify this with LEAF or Lockwood.

When you install the new ones with the soft start feature, if this is indeed the issue, you'll need to add wires to the connectors/harness in the plane and run that wire over to the start solenoid. It's all outlined in the instructions and I can share a copy with you if needed.

Here's a pic of my new modules with Thermax temp strips installed. Anything over 170° will kill these modules.

On 11/11/2022 at 6:34 PM, Brudy said:

 

Shawn you may have missed your calling of installing avionics for a living, plus you love it.

Smitty 

 

Thanks Smitty, I really do enjoy the avionics side of aviation. It's oddly satisfying. 

39 minutes ago, BKSC said:

Anyone out there have any suggestions for engine temp management in cold weather? I’m based in Mn and find it takes forever to bring my oil temp up to green prior to take off. Thought about foil heat resistant tape over portion of oil a liquid coolers but prefer not to experiment if someone else has already solved.

Thanks!

Brad

Hi Brad, there's an entire topic on cold weather ops here on the forum for you silly people who live up north :

In this topic I posted that I have the oil cooler deflector for a SportCruiser that I'll of course never use here in sunny (and rainy) Florida and it's free to a good home if you want it. You just need to install two nut plates on the cowling so you can easily install and remove it with a screwdriver. Many guys just use the HVAC foil tape that you can buy on the aviation isle at Home Depot. Cover about a third of the cooler and she warms up faster. Just keep an eye on the temps after take off. If it gets too hot remove a little of the tape. 

That's a big let down Kevin, sorry to hear this. I've been there and done that as well back in 2013 if I remember correctly. Can you post a picture of your ignition modules for me? Please don't keep trying to start it as you'll wreck the sprag and your wallet wont forgive you. But if you need ignition modules your wallet still isn't gonna forgive you, sorry. Post a pic or two when you can please.

Hi Brad and welcome back, we missed you.  Hope your 50 hours was enjoyable, the SportCruiser flies like a sports car compared to a clunky 150 or 172. 

I had the same issues you are having with my canopy handle when I bought my plane 9 years ago. I thought I had the wrong key as it would go in but not turn. Your problem is the lock was never lubricated and it's basically corroded in the current position. I removed the handle from the fuselage by removing the screws on the inside holding it in place. Then soak it in a solution of WD-40 or Liquid Wrench for 24 hours. Then you can easily take it apart. Clean and dry all the parts and lubricate it with some good lithium grease and reassemble. Mines been working perfect ever since. You can lubricate it every so often or squirt in some graphite powder for locks. 

Sounds good, enjoy your new SportCruiser. Let us know when you have more questions, we’re here to help in any way we can.

Thanks guys. Hope you are enjoying your panel Will. It turned out great.
 

Kevin, I’ll be glad to help out with any panel upgrades and new instrument panels when you are ready. I can make you new custom panels for any instruments you choose.

43 minutes ago, Kevin said:

The little bit I have now is more than I’ve ever flown with. I learned on steam. I’m trying to learn this stuff now. After I get the hang of it I might want an upgrade!

If you ever decide to go all glass,  upgrade the panel to Garmin G3X. It’s not cost effective to put 6 of any of those round gauges in a panel. Just food for thought.

6 hours ago, Kevin said:

Hadn’t seen that guy 175 before. Looks nice, but out of my price range! 

I did stipulate you’d need a second mortgage to buy one. 

The uAvionix AV-30 and AV-20 units are nice and somewhat affordable if you just wanna swap steam for glass. 

You all know I drank the Garmin Kool-Aid years ago and love their products. The G5's are no exception. They make great replacements for the old school steam gauges. I'm just surprised they didn't flush mount the G5's in the panel. I understand they wanted the simple, drop in install but they look so much better flush mounted. I've stacked two like your setup in a Cessna 172 and a Piper Arrow in a custom flush mount bracket that I make. When you are ready for a shiny new panel Kevin let me know. 

Another alternative to the G5 is it's big brother the GI-175 but you need a second mortgage to buy a few. Another more affordable option is the uAvionix AV-30.

Here's a pic from way back when before the upgrades Kevin is talking about.

That’s great, at least it has some modern goodies in the panel. I have a 660 in my panel and love it. I forgot the G5 can drive an autopilot so the GMC305 is a handy addition. Similar to Dynon’s AP knob panels. I can vaguely remember the details of the plane and talking to the seller way back then. He did say something about it arriving in a container in pieces or something. Good luck with it and enjoy.

That's a blast from the past Kevin. I remember that plane when it was here in Florida back in 2015 for a short while then Georgia. It's probably the only kit built SportCruiser here in the US. I believe I spoke to the owners son when I saw it for sale back then. I think the builder had died and his son was trying to sell it. It has an analog panel if I remember with some custom interior/seats.

Best part is that it's experimental !!!

Welcome Kevin and congrats on the purchase. We're here to help with whatever you might have questions about. Please share a pic or your new SportCruiser if you don't mind, we'd love to see it.

Welcome Randy and congrats on the purchase. 

Welcome to the forum Chi-Fly, I hope you find someone locally or at least close. I know of a few owners in the "area" but not close to Chicago.

Hi John and welcome to the forum. Good luck in your search and I hope someone in the NE will reach to you for a demo flight. 

11 hours ago, Velocity26 said:

There is no excuse when you perform actions outside the limitations of the POH.  

Yeah, what he said. 

41 minutes ago, Gilligans Airport said:

Shawn, do you fly barefoot??

I like salads but I like $100 pizzas, too

Yes, I do fly barefoot most of the time as you'll typically catch me in flip-flops in Florida. 🦶

One of the airports I get MOGAS at has a great restaurant on the field with outdoor seating on the ramp. They serve up a great Impossible veggie burger and fries. Yum! 🍔They also have great salads but I'm sorry to say, no pizza.  

2 hours ago, Velocity26 said:

The trickery is eating salads for lunch and weighing 150 lbs!

That does help. 

12 hours ago, Deltafox said:

So, the next trick is getting back out.

There's no trickery involved, I just use the handle on the glare shield and the fuselage to lift myself up and sit on the canopy opening. There I can put the seatbelt back looking neat and grab my flip-flops from the rear baggage area.  Then swing the legs out and off I go.