Long time lurker, first time (as an RV owner) poster.
I just purchased an RV-6A with an IO-320 and an Odyssey PC680. LOVE the airplane - having a ton of fun with it. But... The aircraft starts up fine when cold but hot starts are a monumental pain. I've had to have the guys from the FBO come out and jump start me at the pump twice in the past few days. I've tried several different a procedures to clear the vapor lock, but none of them have been a "magic bullet".
The Odyssey (installed last year according to the log book) is only good for 30 - 50 blades before it loses steam and can't turn the engine over. That's not quite enough to clear out either the vapor in the lines (if attempting to start without flooding) or the excess fuel in the cylinders (if trying a flooded start). We're pretty sure it's the battery as it the airplane has no problem starting once the jump pack is hooked up (itself a difficult process - need a ground power plug!).
The battery tray on this airplane is on the firewall, rather than centered inside the cabin. It was obviously built for a 25, rather than the half-sized Odyssey. At some point one of the previous owners switched over and left the full-size tray in place.
I like the size, weight, and cost of the Odyssey but if this airplane needs more juice to start then I'm tempted to eat the 11.5 pounds and go with a Concorde so as not to have to worry about running out of amps at some remote field.
Anyone out there have words of wisdom, warning, or agreement? Am I looking at a complicated W&B issue?
Thanks in advance,
Steve
I just purchased an RV-6A with an IO-320 and an Odyssey PC680. LOVE the airplane - having a ton of fun with it. But... The aircraft starts up fine when cold but hot starts are a monumental pain. I've had to have the guys from the FBO come out and jump start me at the pump twice in the past few days. I've tried several different a procedures to clear the vapor lock, but none of them have been a "magic bullet".
The Odyssey (installed last year according to the log book) is only good for 30 - 50 blades before it loses steam and can't turn the engine over. That's not quite enough to clear out either the vapor in the lines (if attempting to start without flooding) or the excess fuel in the cylinders (if trying a flooded start). We're pretty sure it's the battery as it the airplane has no problem starting once the jump pack is hooked up (itself a difficult process - need a ground power plug!).
The battery tray on this airplane is on the firewall, rather than centered inside the cabin. It was obviously built for a 25, rather than the half-sized Odyssey. At some point one of the previous owners switched over and left the full-size tray in place.
I like the size, weight, and cost of the Odyssey but if this airplane needs more juice to start then I'm tempted to eat the 11.5 pounds and go with a Concorde so as not to have to worry about running out of amps at some remote field.
Anyone out there have words of wisdom, warning, or agreement? Am I looking at a complicated W&B issue?
Thanks in advance,
Steve