Matronics Email Lists

I'm no expert, but I guess the A & P was speaking about errors introduced by an extra "cold junction" introduced into the system. My GUESS is that the error would be insignificant as lo ...

My favorite trick for limiting the charging rate on small motorcycle type lead-acid batteries is to connect the charger in series with an old automotive ignition coil ballast resistor. These resisto ...

I built my Firestar II around '94 - '96. The plans / instructions page 1 was copyrighted Dec, 1991.

Engine mount drawing (p15) is dated Jan 1993. This page shows two engine mount setups; one for ...

I see no problem as long as there is no interference at the terminal block barrier strips. I surely would not use a larger terminal (#10), though. The size difference probably makes it even more imp ...

I ran into a problem with Nylon fittings about 25 years ago during my very first solo flight of my then recently completed ultralight aircraft. Most Nylon fittings are injection molded (not machined) ...

Bob, Zeftronics offers an excellent troubleshooting guide for their voltage regulators online. The included diagrams MAY help to clear up some of the mystery; unfortunately, it's still a bit opaque f ...

Efraim,
In order to simplify things, lets try to isolate the magnetos to see if they are EVER actually producing a spark. First, pull all the top spark plugs to insure there is NO COMPRESSION and n ...

Efraim, I hear your frustration.

Once upon a time, when an elusive ignition problem was plaguing me, I got pissed and made a spark test fixture out of a section of aluminum angle material with (6 ...

20 BUCKS WHADDAYA THINK?

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/battery-tools-accessories/100a-612v-battery-load-tester-61747.html

If discharge rate is too high for your application, my lo ...

1 KX-155 is an OLD radio
2 KX-155 digital displays (very common failure) are no longer available as a replacement part
3 Cheaper options are available
4 VOR stations are rapidly disappearin ...

How is regulator grounded? The voltage regulator must be solidly grounded in order to function. You might want to install an external ground wire from the voltage regulator case directly to the alte ...

Reason I have circuit breakers on some items is because with a momentary switch, I can short to ground items to lighten load, which will trip the breakers reducing loads. Then if appropriate I can ret ...

I value SIMPLICITY!

While Bob & Stein are absolutely correct in the previous discussion about aircraft electrical architecture, I would like to share my perspective.
Say you actually have an e ...

I cannot argue with John H's success in Kolb airplanes. I do argue that while Homer's designs have proven themselves to be quite stable and forgiving, promoting the idea that weight and balance calcu ...

I might be more concerned when using Type J (Iron / Constantan) thermocouples. You sure would want to make every effort to keep any moisture out and away from the iron.

Jerry King

My guess is that there should be no problems. The temperature sensing thermocouple element is actually the welded junction of the two dissimilar metals that make up the thermocouple. Disturbing the ...

OLD SAYING:
NEVER BE WORTH MORE DEAD THAN ALIVE

I built a very early Firestar II. I was kinda' disappointed that control cables NOW rubbed on the bottom of the fuselage tube at the forward end. In the Kolb Newsletter of July 1, 1995, Kolb suggest ...

All good points, but I refuse the cost of adding very expensive equipment that I do not need.

My one concession to the ADS-B crowd is that I will keep my transponder turned ON, so that the fools wi ...

Bill, have you verified ignition timing is correct? That could explain a lot of things.

Also, you were concerned about getting your Firestar up on its nose. The Firestar's main wheels are locat ...