Steve Hughes Posted September 26 Report Posted September 26 Our club will be sending our plane in for some avionics upgrades and one of our annoyances is that the key is so close to the side wall, that it is very difficult to turn to start the engine. One of our instructors suggested adding a push button ignition instead. Has anyone done this? We don't have room for the ElectroAir model on Aircraft spruce, so it would need to be a round 3/4" button.
outermarker Posted September 26 Report Posted September 26 The issue with a push to start, is that you won't hear the SOS before starter engagement.
Ragsf15e Posted September 26 Report Posted September 26 And if you’re doing push button, are you also doing mag switches? They seem nice but possibly easier to leave on (hot prop!)
McMooney Posted September 27 Report Posted September 27 (edited) I'm doing the electroaire switch at annual. As for space, i seem to remember someone on MS removing the switches from the electroaire assembly and installing them directly into the panel. my guess, you might be able to have your IA source and install standard switches Edited Friday at 03:59 AM by McMooney
kerry Posted September 27 Report Posted September 27 I have 2 experimental planes with push buttons, and I do like it better than the key start in my Mooney but it's not much more of an inconvenience to change it.
LANCECASPER Posted September 27 Report Posted September 27 On 9/26/2025 at 8:22 PM, McMooney said: I'm doing the electroaire switch at annual. As for space, i seem to remembwer someone on MS removing the switches from the electroaire assemblyl and installing them directly into the planes panel. honestly my guess, you might be able to just have your IA source and install standard switches I did that on a Bravo I used to own. The Electroair switch is actually three separate switches, so there's some flexibility in where you put them. 2
Vance Harral Posted September 28 Report Posted September 28 On 9/26/2025 at 4:01 PM, outermarker said: The issue with a push to start, is that you won't hear the SOS before starter engagement. Lots of 70s-era M20 models are wired like this anyway. The "feature" of the SOS engaging on key twist before push is not universal, only some vintage Mooneys work this way.
Pinecone Posted September 29 Report Posted September 29 Take a close look at the ElectroAire switch setup before committing. I was going to put it in my plane and the switches feel cheap and cheesy. I went with locking toggle switches for the mag and a spring loaded toggle for the starter. My avionics shop told me that they had not had great long term luck with the push button switches when used this way. As for hot mags, make up a sign that says Mags Off. When you take it in hand to place it visible, you double check that they are off. 1 1
Fritz1 Posted September 29 Report Posted September 29 like the big toggle mag switches, had an electroair installed once upon a time, with those small black mag switches it is hard to tell if they are on or off, I stayed with the key switch because I would have left the mag switches on one day for sure, key in hand or on glareshield = mag off 1
Rick Junkin Posted September 29 Report Posted September 29 I used the Electroaire ignition panel, and put white "OFF" labels on the top of the mag switches that are only visible when the switch is off (you push the top of the rocker switch in to turn it on). The switches DO feel cheap and cheesy, definitely not a mil-spec feel, but I like them and so far they work fine.
Pinecone Posted October 1 Report Posted October 1 On 9/29/2025 at 3:58 PM, Rick Junkin said: I used the Electroaire ignition panel, and put white "OFF" labels on the top of the mag switches that are only visible when the switch is off (you push the top of the rocker switch in to turn it on). The switches DO feel cheap and cheesy, definitely not a mil-spec feel, but I like them and so far they work fine. But you KNOW you would rather have MILSPEC locking toggles like my airplane. 1
dkkim73 Posted October 1 Report Posted October 1 3 hours ago, Pinecone said: But you KNOW you would rather have MILSPEC locking toggles like my airplane. Oh, yours is definitely the coolest setup, elegance and looks-wise, but I don't want to lose an arm... Quote I heard attributed to the astronaut program, "everyone is one switch throw away from being famous". 1
Pinecone Posted October 1 Report Posted October 1 1) I always treat a prop as hot. Even if I have the keys in my hands. Taught that by my Dad who flew lots of radial engines for the US Navy. 2) I always visually check the switches before touching the prop. They are easily seen through the pilot side window, even better if the storm window is open. 3) Mags Off sign. As I said before, instead of keys on dash, sign. Putting sign up on dash includes a check of the switches 4) Treat the prop as HOT, ALWAYS. The funny thing it, I have been great about turning them off. But have to admit I spun the engine a couple of times where it did not start. Yes, because the switches were Off.
cliffy Posted Friday at 03:49 AM Report Posted Friday at 03:49 AM Many airplanes had 2 switches for mags way back when and Cessna 182s and others had a push button for start in the early 60s. Its nothing new and only a Minor Alteration to install proper parts Also you might get rid of the Bendix AD :-) 4
Hank Posted Friday at 11:42 AM Report Posted Friday at 11:42 AM 7 hours ago, cliffy said: Many airplanes had 2 switches for mags way back when and Cessna 182s and others had a push button for start in the early 60s. Its nothing new and only a Minor Alteration to install proper parts Also you might get rid of the Bendix AD :-) I've seen old Pipers with a magneto key and a push button ignition. Kept a friend's plane from being stolen once, the theif just kept turning the key . . .
midlifeflyer Posted Friday at 11:48 AM Report Posted Friday at 11:48 AM 5 minutes ago, Hank said: I've seen old Pipers with a magneto key and a push button ignition. Kept a friend's plane from being stolen once, the theif just kept turning the key . . . The newest Pipers have push button ignition.
Pinecone Posted Friday at 01:44 PM Report Posted Friday at 01:44 PM 9 hours ago, cliffy said: Many airplanes had 2 switches for mags way back when and Cessna 182s and others had a push button for start in the early 60s. Its nothing new and only a Minor Alteration to install proper parts Also you might get rid of the Bendix AD :-) All the Citabrias and Decathlons I have flown have two mag switches and a push button start.
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