I'm trying to debug a problem that delayed my first flight for 2 months! I finally took the ignition off and replaced it with a magneto. I'll get through test flight and them *maybe* I'll try again.
Here's the problem....I was using a Jeff Rose system in place of the right magneto. Both ignitions were operated using a Bendix/ACS key switch. Wiring was done per the instructions.
Starting on the left mag was fine and the engine ran fine in the 'both' position. When switched to 'right' the rpms dropped over 150 rpm and the engine ran very rough. advancing the throttle would result in even more roughness.
Exchanging emails with Jeff Rose (the company has been sold to a new owner) the initial problem was though to be arcing through the plug wires. I replaced the wires and added insulating sleeves on the adel clamps. No change in behavior at all.
The next solution was replace the Bendix key switch with a new one, which I did. No change at all.
On my own I removed and replaced all of the ignition wiring, making certain that every contact was electrically good and clean. No change.
Finally I removed the unit and replaced it with a magneto. First flight was July 18th. On Michael's suggestion (the new owner of Jeff Rose Ignitions) I sent the unit to them to be inspected. They can find nothing wrong with it, and sent it back with a bill for 58$.
The only thing that they thought may be causing the problem was that the connection between the key switch and the unit (the 'P' lead connection) should be shiedled wire. I wired it with standard 18# wire - I did that to match the stub wire that came with the Rose unit since it also was 18# unshielded. And the instructions didn't call for shielded wire.
The other bit of advice I got was a strong recommendation to use toggle switches for the ignition. I chose a key switch since every aircraft, and more important to me, every emergency drill I've done in 20 years of flying has been using the key switch. So it's familiar, I prefer it.
So I'm at a loss as to how to proceed. I'd like to have the EI, however I don't have much confidence in the system. And really hate to have to remove the mag and reinstall the EI only to find it still isn't flyable.
Here's the problem....I was using a Jeff Rose system in place of the right magneto. Both ignitions were operated using a Bendix/ACS key switch. Wiring was done per the instructions.
Starting on the left mag was fine and the engine ran fine in the 'both' position. When switched to 'right' the rpms dropped over 150 rpm and the engine ran very rough. advancing the throttle would result in even more roughness.
Exchanging emails with Jeff Rose (the company has been sold to a new owner) the initial problem was though to be arcing through the plug wires. I replaced the wires and added insulating sleeves on the adel clamps. No change in behavior at all.
The next solution was replace the Bendix key switch with a new one, which I did. No change at all.
On my own I removed and replaced all of the ignition wiring, making certain that every contact was electrically good and clean. No change.
Finally I removed the unit and replaced it with a magneto. First flight was July 18th. On Michael's suggestion (the new owner of Jeff Rose Ignitions) I sent the unit to them to be inspected. They can find nothing wrong with it, and sent it back with a bill for 58$.
The only thing that they thought may be causing the problem was that the connection between the key switch and the unit (the 'P' lead connection) should be shiedled wire. I wired it with standard 18# wire - I did that to match the stub wire that came with the Rose unit since it also was 18# unshielded. And the instructions didn't call for shielded wire.
The other bit of advice I got was a strong recommendation to use toggle switches for the ignition. I chose a key switch since every aircraft, and more important to me, every emergency drill I've done in 20 years of flying has been using the key switch. So it's familiar, I prefer it.
So I'm at a loss as to how to proceed. I'd like to have the EI, however I don't have much confidence in the system. And really hate to have to remove the mag and reinstall the EI only to find it still isn't flyable.