gevertex

6 months isn't bad from hearing others experiences. I heard many people say they were out for a year. I work in a very aggressive industry, and sometimes it's a little shocking to me to hear how projects are organized in GA. Hearing from others there tends to be a lot of lead time that is discovered sequentially. In my industry we would (as much as practical) discover all of that up front and execute on it as soon as possible. In GA it tends to be a stream of issues that are discovered one after another. That drives me a little crazy . In any case, I greatly appreciate how quickly this got done and very grateful to have an airworthy airplane. As you all know, it's very expensive to have an airplane sitting on the ground + renting another to keep your skills up / complete your missions.

Shapeways has klixon covers. Worth trying for the price. https://www.shapeways.com/product/7PX88KE24/switch-cover-klixon-20tc-v0-6-textured-front?optionId=56024562

I am planning to fly it for a bit before getting the panel done, and I'd like to file IFR for some XC trips I have planned. New panel will have Garmin EIS. Since this is a freshly overhauled engine I wanted to ensure engine was fully monitored. Call me overly cautious, but at least I'll be able to detect some problems early.

It was a long wait, but it's finally done. One of the Squawks I noted from before completion was the brakes taking a lot of effort to actuate. Mechanic told me when they changed the brake fluid it came out like molasses. I guess it hadn't been changed in quite some time. I'll have to try and track that down in the logs. In total this was about a 6 month journey.

Yup. It’s pretty crazy. You can get one on eBay for about 1amu

I ordered this while it was on back order for my 92 J, but didn't end up needing it. Forgot about it and just received it yesterday at my doorstep. Since these are still somewhat hard to come by, offering it for sale at the same price I paid. It's still new in the box. I am based out of KEQY, or I can arrange to ship it to you. Asking $830 which is the price I paid for it.

Are their other options for electric ignition on dual mag engines?

Engine overhaul, mechanic sold business to another mechanic, another dozen squawks not identified in prebuy. On the last few now, hopefully I'll be flying it in a couple weeks.

I am in a similar situation, have owned the airplane for ~8 months now, haven't flown it yet. So close though. Any timeline on yours?

Getting close. Thanks goes to my mechanic John Car and team of AGL Aviation. Just a few squawks left to repair. Brakes are not very effective. Had to stand on them to hold the airplane still during run up. Looks to be coming from a leaking brake caliper Stall warning horn goes off constantly. Replacement logic board is on the way. Vacuum pump is intermittent. It worked eventually when I was idling at 1200RPM per checklist, but new one is on the way. EGT probes #1 and #2 are bad It's getting expensive, but it does seem like they are being through and doing a good job. I am told this should be done Monday. I hope so.

I like to tinker also, just trying to learn from your experiences. I generally like the approach of a smaller panel if I can set the maximum voltage precisely. Perhaps you are right. Flying more often is the best antidote to a rundown battery. Maybe I'll buy a few parts to experiment with.

So you wouldn't mind say a 29v float voltage even if the battery really required only 27v? I get what you are saying about charge current (limited current would drop the voltage IIRC). But say you had a week of clear summer days. Seems like 50W would be enough to over charge the battery even during 1 day of that. These batteries are only ~300Wh. Just 6 hours to go from flat to full. It also appears temperature is a factor. See Concorde's recommended voltage regulator setting. Link: https://batterymanagement.concordebattery.com/BatteryDocs/5-0324-rg-manual.pdf So maybe I set the charge controller to 28v (a good middle ground). I can do that using the lithium mode of a solar charge controller? Or is it in multiples of 3.7v?

Do you fill the engine up with oil, then drain it back to normal levels? If you are adding oil surely that oil must come back out before you run the engine?

Try this instead: https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=engine+preoiler&atb=v271-1&ia=web Though the results are not aviation specific.

Heard from mechanic today. Ops check found a few squawks. Vacuum pump is dead #1 and #2 EGT probes are dead Right brake caliper is leaking Stall warning horn goes off all of the time Apparently it's controlled by a centralized board that handles all sounds. Unfortunately, I have a new Garmin engine monitor with G3X touch (which means I no longer need the vacuum pump) waiting for me at the avionics shop. So some of this work is waste just to get it airworthy until the new panel is installed . I also just replaced the engine monitor (EI UBG-16). Hopefully this is the last set of issues for a while. I realize not all of this is legally required to fly during the day, but I consider most of it prudent given I have new engine (overhauled). Vacuum pump is just good insurance for now. Almost there!!!

I have seen at least one person with one next to their plane. I'll have to get mine back from maintenance before that will be useful to me. Possibly this week.

Apparently the voltages for GA batteries are different than automotive batteries of the same type due to differences in the specific gravity of the electrolyte. It's supposedly aviation specific to give the batter better energy density. So, if I could adjust the voltage then that might work. As I understand it though, these controllers are designed to charge a battery for use with another load for the purposes of providing stable power via solar. I am not sure the voltage would be adjustable as it's an integrated charge circuit not just a fixed voltage? Maybe I am wrong there? https://www.batteryminders.com/why-an-aviation-specific-charger-maintainer/

All of the charge controllers I see are 27.6v float. Any particular source for one with the correct voltage?

It seems I said something controversial . I agree I'd want to use a pre-oiler for an engine that had been sitting and still had the spark plugs installed.

Running starter with spark plugs removed is what lycoming recommends. https://www.lycoming.com/sites/default/files/Pre-Oiling Engine Prior to Initial Start.pdf

Hey All, I am thinking about either buying or building a solar battery tender. Mine will be tied down outside with covers as hangar space is unobtainium at the moment. Anyone have any sources for parts or a full system I could use? I have done some research, but it's not obvious what I need given it's 24v. This will be used on a Concorde battery as soon as it's in stock / ships (probably Dec/Jan)

I did not. This wasn't recommended to me. In hindsight I can see how that might be a good idea. My frame is still pretty clean looking FWIW.

First engine start went well. She fired right up. Ground runs Monday since weather deteriorated today. Hopefully test flight and delivery back to my home airport next week.

Luckily that part isn’t finished yet. Seems like it soon will be routed tighter.