Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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Rotec aero Electronic Ignition
Jabiru 3300, Gen 2. Installed Rotec electronic ignition, when doing mag checks, when I turn the electronic off, then back on, it drops but does not increase back. When I kill the MAG side, the engine dies till the RPM's get below around 700 rpm, then it roars to life on the electronic ignition up to the mag check RPM seting. Then I turn the mag back on and get my small increase.
Is this going to be normal???
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dave Geiling on
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No it is not normal. at least relative to how mine operates. The only thing that is different with my engine operation with the Rotec electronic ignition is the starting sequence, I initially crank the engine with the electronic ignition off, turning it on when the engine fires up. I regularly shut down by turning off the electronic ignition then turn off the mag in order to verify the P-lead is functional. I have no idea of the cause of your issue, I would text Paul at Rotec, he was always very prompt with replies to my questions. BTW I also have their alternator conversion on my Jabiru and am extremely happy with both installations.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Mathis on
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Thanks. I also have the alternator upgrade - Loving it! I've e-mailed him twice and have never received a reply...
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Permalink Reply by Darryl Legg on
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Me thinks you have wiring issues there, def not right.
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The wiring was pretty bad, wish I could upload a photo. The pins in the connectors were barely crimped on properly, actually had to pull them apart and re-crimp. As far as wiring goes for the install, I have had this wired this way before the first ECM module went bad, and I have triple checked the wiring and it's all good. Before I got the Rotec module, I had put an auto parts store module in and it did the same thing! They have not e-mailed me back, so I don't know what to do at this point.
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Permalink Reply by John Austin on
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Just curious, why install the Rotec electronic ignition? Hard starting problems? I used to have a Gen 2 and really never had problems because I'm in mid-east Tennessee and we have mild winters and the engine is kept on a cowl heater in the winter, anyway. I also eventually installed an EarthX battery and it spins the prop so fast the engine HAS to run! LOL!
John
N750A
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Wisconsin cold, the starter was not pulling it around fast enough, but it was always slow.After replacing plugs, wires, caps, rotors, mags, it'd always run for a week, then not. Found the starter was from a 1998-2002 Toyota Celica or something, so I looked on Amazon and sure as poop! So swapped that out and rev's on startup was great, then winter hit :( Bought the e-ignition and it always started, till 3/4 through summer, and it started acting weird. Found the wiring in the harnesses not crimped good, some wires even just pulled out with 0 force at all! But I think the module overheated in the engine bay, so with the new one, I moved it to inside the cockpit where its cooler. Works great except the mag check.
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John
I can't speak for Brian, but I spend as much or more time tinkering with my 601 as I do flying. Being able to maintain and modify is a large part of my interest in EAB aircraft. Anyway, that was a large part of my reason to convert to the Rotec ignition. Operated per Rotec's advice, the electronic ignition isn't turned on until the engine is running. The Bosch unit apparently has no timing retard at low rpm which might create a kickback, so it doesn't aid in cold weather starting.
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Thanks for the info!
John
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I've started all winter in 20F weather and have had no issues. I even began turning on the Rotec ignition before stating and never had a kick back. Yet...
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I emailed Rotec several times for the ignition and alternator conversions and always got a prompt reply, will prompt when you consider the time/day differences.
I used, paul@rotecaerosport.com.
Are you using a "regular" aircraft ignition switch? Seems to me there is some trick to making the regular mag switch work with the electronic unit. I'll look at my notes next time I'm at the airport.
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Thanks, I was using the web email link they have. I'll e-mail him directly. Also, I had thought of using a relay to use my original mag/starter switch, but that'd induce another fail point, so I'm just using a switch. Never had a problem starting in very cold weather, and I turn the switch on before I start, never had any issues.
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Brian
I'll have to try starting with both systems on. I have never had any starting issues, either before the Rotec ignition installation or after. I took a look at my notes and the Rotec instructions today, I wired mine with two toggle switches plus a DPDT key operated switch to have a convenient way to discourage "unauthorized" operation.
I am curious about the auto parts store module that you installed, since Rotec, at least the stuff I have received from them has zero identification on it and my search for a locally available spare parts turned up a multitude applications with different part numbers.
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