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Starting an RV-6 with a Lycoming O-320

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genie(at)swissmail.org
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 9:19 am Post subject: Starting an RV-6 with a Lycoming O-320

For several months my RV-6 has experienced starting problems. At first 

go the engine would hardly turn as there did not seem to be enough power 

from the starter motor. After repeated attempts things would 

progressively improve until there was enough power to start the engine. 

Since the end of last month the starter motor has simply not been able 

to provide enough power to start my engine.



I removed the starter motor and had it tested. It jumped to life when 

exposed to enough voltage. Therefore this was apparently not the problem.



Measurements initially seemed to indicate that the battery was OK. 

However, later it appeared that the battery could not provide enough 

tension. I removed it and measured it. It provides almost 11.7 V at 

present. I reckon that the battery is, if not the only problem, then one 

of the problems.



A fellow aircraft owner told me that he believes that the problem is 

with the relay. That is why, according to him, in the past I initially 

had problems in starting but after several attempts I succeeded. Could 

this in your opinion be the case? Does anyone by chance know where can I 

find a replacement relay, which companies make suitable relays and what 

their part numbers are?



As for my battery, it is an Odyssey PC 680 by Enersys. When in the 

hangar it is always kept under tension by a battery charger. Is this 

battery the optimal choice for a Lycoming O-320 powered RV-6 or RV-6A? 

Do you know whether any other batteries would be just as good or better? 

I have found sources for such a battery.



Thanks.



George Nielsen

RV-6 PH-XGN

The Hague, the Netherlands



P.S. I am sending this on both the RV-6 and Lycoming lists. Please 

excuse me if you receive the same message twice.

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carl.froehlich(at)verizon
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 11:18 am Post subject: Starting an RV-6 with a Lycoming O-320

If you eliminated the starter and battery as problems, you are left with the

starter solenoid, the power lead to the starter or the ground lead from the

starter.  After you replace the battery (fully charged batteries read about

12.5V open circuit), then the next thing I would check is the starter

ground.  The ground should be the same heavy gauge as the starter power

lead, and grounded on the starter ground tab, not a strap the engine case.

If this checks out, the only thing left is the starting relay - here is the

one Van's sells:

http://vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?ident=1402416703-324-42&browse=ele

ctrical&product=start-sw



The PC680 is more than enough battery for your engine and is a far superior

choice to other options.  If you always have it on a charger I suspect you

killed it.  These batteries retain 90% of their charge after six months

sitting on a shelf.  The only practical time to put one on a charger is

after you drained it for some reason, then only temporarily keeping close

watch on the terminal voltage (don't let it get above 14.5V or so).  If you

really must put it on a charger get the one made for Odyssey batteries.



With normal use these batteries will easily last 4-6 years.  If you abuse it

(like keeping a master on) consider the battery dead and move it to your

lawn tractor.  I have two PC-625s in the 8A and 10, and replace one every

two years such that neither battery is more than 4 years old.  This way I

know I have enough capacity if the alternator craps out to maintain IFR

flight to fuel exhaustion.



Carl



--

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tim2542(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:08 am Post subject: Starting an RV-6 with a Lycoming O-320

11.7 open circuit voltage is not fully charged. Go to Odyssey's website and read up on the battery. It charges differently than most batteries using a special charger. As already noted many people have reported these batteries don't do well when constantly connected to a charger, nor do they appreciate being fully discharged. Then may be recovered and the process is on their website.   

Once you have a fully charged battery, if you still have problems you will need to look for the problem with a voltmeter. Starter relays are among the most common problem but until you know where the voltage drop is occurring by measuring it your only guessing.  Get a fully charged battery, testing it using Odyssey's instructions. If you still have problems, I'd suggest you go the AeroElectric group on Matronics for more specific help. 

Good luck

Tim  

 	  Quote: 	
		   On Jun 10, 2014, at 10:18 AM, George Nielsen <genie(at)swissmail.org> wrote:

 

 

 

 For several months my RV-6 has experienced starting problems. At first go the engine would hardly turn as there did not seem to be enough power from the starter motor. After repeated attempts things would progressively improve until there was enough power to start the engine. Since the end of last month the starter motor has simply not been able to provide enough power to start my engine.

 

 I removed the starter motor and had it tested. It jumped to life when exposed to enough voltage. Therefore this was apparently not the problem.

 

 Measurements initially seemed to indicate that the battery was OK. However, later it appeared that the battery could not provide enough tension. I removed it and measured it. It provides almost 11.7 V at present. I reckon that the battery is, if not the only problem, then one of the problems.

 

 A fellow aircraft owner told me that he believes that the problem is with the relay. That is why, according to him, in the past I initially had problems in starting but after several attempts I succeeded. Could this in your opinion be the case? Does anyone by chance know where can I find a replacement relay, which companies make suitable relays and what their part numbers are?

 

 As for my battery, it is an Odyssey PC 680 by Enersys. When in the hangar it is always kept under tension by a battery charger. Is this battery the optimal choice for a Lycoming O-320 powered RV-6 or RV-6A? Do you know whether any other batteries would be just as good or better? I have found sources for such a battery.

 

 Thanks.

 

 George Nielsen

 RV-6 PH-XGN

 The Hague, the Netherlands

 

 P.S. I am sending this on both the RV-6 and Lycoming lists. Please excuse me if you receive the same message twice.

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Airdog77

Joined: 24 Nov 2013
Posts: 80
Location: Northern Virginia

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:55 am Post subject: Re: Starting an RV-6 with a Lycoming O-320

Hi George,



I would recommend that you post your question to the Aeroelectric forum as well.  Bob Nuckolls & company can give you a lot of good info regarding electrical components and troubleshooting.



As for who sells starter relays, www.bandc.biz also sells battery and starter contactors.  



From my research the Odyssey PC680 is a great battery and that's what I bought for my not-yet flying project.  I would however recommend that you do a search on the Aeroelectric site for some specific idiosyncrasies that the PC680 has in response to trickle charging.  If I remember correctly, it can have some adverse reactions if the wrong charger is used.



Regards,

Wade

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_________________
Airdog
Wade Parton
Building Long-EZ N916WP
www.longezpush.com

mdelsol(at)md-dsl.fr
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:56 am Post subject: Starting an RV-6 with a Lycoming O-320

My 2 cents.



I have a PC680 in my IO360 RV8. 100 hrs/yr. I don't particularly do anything

to my battery - no trickle charging, I pretty much ignore it and do as I do

with my car. Get in the plane, contact on, flaps up (electric) and do a cold

start - starts almost immediately. After the flight, flaps down before

shutting down the engine (sometimes I forget flaps down and do that after

shutting down the engine).



I kept my first battery 3 years, changed it when it showed signs of

weakness. One year into the new one works great.



Conclusion is use it normally. No need to trickle charge it constantly.



Regards,

Michèle

RV8

-----Message d'origine-----

De : owner-lycomingengines-list-server(at)matronics.com

[mailto:owner-lycomingengines-list-server(at)matronics.com] De la part de

George Nielsen

Envoyé : mardi 10 juin 2014 19:18

À : lycomingengines-list(at)matronics.com

Objet : Starting an RV-6 with a Lycoming O-320




--> <genie(at)swissmail.org>



For several months my RV-6 has experienced starting problems. At first go

the engine would hardly turn as there did not seem to be enough power from

the starter motor. After repeated attempts things would progressively

improve until there was enough power to start the engine. 

Since the end of last month the starter motor has simply not been able to

provide enough power to start my engine.



I removed the starter motor and had it tested. It jumped to life when

exposed to enough voltage. Therefore this was apparently not the problem.



Measurements initially seemed to indicate that the battery was OK. 

However, later it appeared that the battery could not provide enough

tension. I removed it and measured it. It provides almost 11.7 V at present.

I reckon that the battery is, if not the only problem, then one of the

problems.



A fellow aircraft owner told me that he believes that the problem is with

the relay. That is why, according to him, in the past I initially had

problems in starting but after several attempts I succeeded. Could this in

your opinion be the case? Does anyone by chance know where can I find a

replacement relay, which companies make suitable relays and what their part

numbers are?



As for my battery, it is an Odyssey PC 680 by Enersys. When in the hangar it

is always kept under tension by a battery charger. Is this battery the

optimal choice for a Lycoming O-320 powered RV-6 or RV-6A? 

Do you know whether any other batteries would be just as good or better? 

I have found sources for such a battery.



Thanks.



George Nielsen

RV-6 PH-XGN

The Hague, the Netherlands



P.S. I am sending this on both the RV-6 and Lycoming lists. Please excuse me

if you receive the same message twice.



---

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