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Cranking on soft start module

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stan_tew(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:02 pm Post subject: Cranking on soft start module

I live in central Alabama and the temperature today was about 70 degrees F. My 912ULS is a little over 1 year of use and 186 hours. When I try to start on the ignition with the soft-start module only. I tried today for a longer period with the soft start ignition only - no start. As soon as I turned on the other ignition it cranked. Sometimes when this happens I can feel the kickback I read so much about. I installed the soft start to prevent this.

 

Any ideas?



 

STAN 2

N29TD



 [quote][b]

n992dn(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:38 pm Post subject: Cranking on soft start module

Stan 

  

I got the feeling you are confusing the two magneto switches so when you think that you kill the soft start module you actually the other one. Doing lots of troubleshooting in this area of my S6S I learned how confusing can it be….   

  

Nati 

N992DN 

Illinoi 



 On Thu, Dec 15, 2011 at 3:58 PM, Stan Tew <stan_tew(at)yahoo.com (stan_tew(at)yahoo.com)> wrote:

 [quote]   I live in central Alabama and the temperature today was about 70 degrees F. My 912ULS is a little over 1 year of use and 186 hours. When I try to start on the ignition with the soft-start module only. I tried today for a longer period with the soft start ignition only - no start. As soon as I turned on the other ignition it cranked. Sometimes when this happens I can feel the kickback I read so much about. I installed the soft start to prevent this.

   

 Any ideas?

 

  

 STAN 2

 N29TD



 	  Quote: 	
		  



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ttp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	


[b]

BARRY CHECK 6

Joined: 15 Mar 2011
Posts: 738

Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:06 pm Post subject: Cranking on soft start module

Stan:



I just can't believe the loyal following the ROTAX engine has.  

All I ever read about are problems piled upon problems.  Two in the past four day right here on this group.  It seems like "Buy a ROTAX and you become a member of the SB-of the Month Club."  It would be AD of the Month Club, but the FAA just did not see inclined to to handle all the problems.  AS IF: They knew better.

 I am putting a lot of time into finding a 601 that I can put an O-200 on.  I'm an old fart looking at LSA and want to FLY, not build or do constant repairs.  I'll still do A&P work... It is really... You work... I'll sign it off.  

 



LQQKing hopefully,

Barry

On Thu, Dec 15, 2011 at 4:58 PM, Stan Tew <stan_tew(at)yahoo.com (stan_tew(at)yahoo.com)> wrote:

 [quote] I live in central Alabama and the temperature today was about 70 degrees F. My 912ULS is a little over 1 year of use and 186 hours. When I try to start on the ignition with the soft-start module only. I tried today for a longer period with the soft start ignition only - no start. As soon as I turned on the other ignition it cranked. Sometimes when this happens I can feel the kickback I read so much about. I installed the soft start to prevent this.

  

Any ideas?



 

STAN 2

N29TD



   	  Quote: 	
		  



_blank">www.aeroelectric.com

.com" target="_blank">www.buildersbooks.com

="_blank">www.homebuilthelp.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

ist" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RotaxEngines-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	


[b]

bob(at)fly-ul.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 6:23 pm Post subject: Cranking on soft start module

 	  Quote: 	
		  

I just can't believe the loyal following the ROTAX engine has.  

All I ever read about are problems piled upon problems.  Two in the past four day right here on this group.  It seems like "Buy a ROTAX and you become a member of the SB-of the Month Club."  It would be AD of the Month Club, but the FAA just did not see inclined to to handle all the problems.  AS IF: They knew better.

I am putting a lot of time into finding a 601 that I can put an O-200 on.  I'm an old fart looking at LSA and want to FLY, not build or do constant repairs.  I'll still do A&P work... It is really... You work... I'll sign it off.  


	


With all due respect, the only people you hear from on the list, are those that are experiencing problems, or from newbies who are still learning. The thousands of us who have no problems with our engines rarely post "Nothing happened this week, engine running great!" posts to this list. The 912 has been a very reliable engine, and the number of problems or questions are very few, compared to the number of people using these engines. They've been in production since 1990(?), so there are plenty of them out there, and a lot of hours flown.

--

Bob Comperini

e-mail: bob(at)fly-ul.com

WWW: http://www.fly-ul.com

Roger Lee

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1464
Location: Tucson, Az.

Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:06 am Post subject: Re: Cranking on soft start module

You can't judge one against the other without knowing both equally well, or been around both, or worked on both and/or owned both. 



Just like two different model cars from different Mfg's. You need all the facts to make an informed decision and just listening to your neighbor isn't informed.



I agree with Bob. I've been around both engines for many years and I'll take a Rotax 912 or 914 any day of the year. Why do you think the military put them in their drones and run them for thousands of hours without a buch of issues. Why do you think it's the most widely used small aircraft engine in the world, certainly not from it's "bad" reputation. I would go out a look around more and talk to people who keep their engine up and I bet you may have a different opinion. Someone another another forum took this to task and listed all the difference between the two. The 0-200 didn't stand a chance. Most people have issues because of inattention, poor maint and lack of.



Do a research project. Go out and list all the 0-200 verses Rotax 912/914 good and bad points. (It's a pretty ugly lopsided list) See what needs to be done during the life (2000 hrs) to an 0-200 and what needs to be done to a Rotax. What you have to do to an 0-200 for it's 2000 life you can double or triple those ours for a Rotax.

_________________
Roger Lee
Tucson, Az.
Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Light Sport Repairman
Home 520-574-1080 TRY HOME FIRST
Cell 520-349-7056

Last edited by Roger Lee on Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:33 am; edited 1 time in total

Roger Lee

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1464
Location: Tucson, Az.

Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:14 am Post subject: Re: Cranking on soft start module

Hi Stan,



Several things can be a cause for your starting issue or kick back. If all you did was put in the soft start model then just be aware that the engine fires before top TDC and to get the really good affect then the Rotax soft start ignition models coupled with the new flywheel that puts the firing after TDC is the best way to go. If you have the new Rotax soft start modules then the answer most likely is listed below.



Now here are the things to check for on your plane. 



Too high an idle setting.

Giving it throttle to start.

carbs not balanced at idle or the high rpm.

plug gaps set too wide.

low friction torque in the gearbox. (not likely with such low time)

poor battery condition and or poor ground



These are the most common and all are easy to check.

Make sure these are all correct and I bet you won't have an issue anymore.

_________________
Roger Lee
Tucson, Az.
Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Light Sport Repairman
Home 520-574-1080 TRY HOME FIRST
Cell 520-349-7056

321PT

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 40
Location: Texas

Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:45 am Post subject: Cranking on soft start module

JohnF

Joined: 13 May 2010
Posts: 124

Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:50 am Post subject: Cranking on soft start module

I flew behind a Lycoming for quite a few years, so using the Rotax 912ULS 

took some getting used to....I have around 50+ hours on it now and have 

become comfortable with the engine.



There is one issue however, that really hasn't anything to do with the 

engine itself, but rather the company. They don't seem to have any method of 

communicating with customers, and their warranty isn't much it seems to me. 

Also the prices of their parts is hard to justify. As an example, I once 

dropped a simple washer and could not locate it; I communicated with a major 

Rotax parts supplier and they quoted me $5.36 for one washer with a two 

month delivery delay. I went to the local hardware store and bought one for 

10-cents...same washer. I dread having to purchase any major component.



---

cscsail(at)gmavt.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:54 am Post subject: Cranking on soft start module

Don't consider myself an "old fart" but having owned various aircraft 

spanning a period of almost 45 years, I agree whole heatedly with Bob and 

Roger. The rotax is powerful, light, smooth and in my installation very 

quiet. It has been the most trouble free engine I have flown behind, sipping 

fuel while keeping the oil in the engine were it belongs.

Gordon



---

Dick Maddux

Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 516
Location: Milton, Fl

Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:54 am Post subject: Cranking on soft start module

Barry,

  I agree with Bob.

  I too had some "birthing" issues with my  912UL. After  years of flying behind Lyc/Cont I wasn't too sure about this engine. I called  John McBean at Kitfox and asked his opinion. (I have an older Kitfox  4)

 He told me that he has lots of time behind Lyc/Cont as well as about a  thousand or more behind the Rotax. If he had his choice, he would rather  fly the Rotax. Now,I too am an "old fart" and I found that hard to believe but I  can honestly say that now ,I feel the same way.

  I have attended 3 Rotax courses and am familiar with the engine now.  It is to be treated a little differently than the "conventional " engines. I  think if you were to compare, it is more akin to a modern motorcycle   engine

  True it has had some bugs but Rotax lets you know about them right  away. Lyc/Cont engines have them too. It seemed I was always working on my  engines in my last 13 airplanes.(replacing jugs,etc)

  The Kitfox is the first airplane I have owned with a Rotax

  I will tell you one thing,it is good to fly behind such a smooth  almost vibration free engine. It is like a turbine that sips 3 1/2 to 4  gph ..... Nice ! and boy does the airplane perform with that light engine  up front !

                                     Dick Maddux

                                     912 UL

  

 [quote][b]

Roger Lee

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1464
Location: Tucson, Az.

Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:35 pm Post subject: Re: Cranking on soft start module

You warranty contacts are the distributors. CPS, Leading Edge and Lockwood. Parts can be a little pricey, but no different than a motorcycle. I have a Honda Goldwing 1800 and parts are the same.

_________________
Roger Lee
Tucson, Az.
Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Light Sport Repairman
Home 520-574-1080 TRY HOME FIRST
Cell 520-349-7056

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