Matronics Email Lists :: View topic

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Problems, problems

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

Guy Buchanan

Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1204
Location: Ramona, CA

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 3:08 pm Post subject: Problems, problems

We're having some fun now!

     

            Monday morning pull the plane out to find fuel leaking from         one of the wing valves. Fortunately I have another in stock.         (Why, I don't know.)       
Monday afternoon go flying and fry the Key West voltage         regulator. I'm pulling almost no load so it's probably due to         heat. (Very hot forward of the firewall.) Mount the Ducati that         came with the engine behind the firewall. I get some noise on         the headsets but it's not too bad.       
Tuesday for a good long flight and come back to find I'm         melting the PVC aero cover on the gear leg. Bad. I had the stick         on heat shield but it's really for radiated heat, not an         impinging hot jet stream. Spend the next two days making a cool         stainless heat shield.       
Today go flying and three things happen:                The Ducati is putting out enough noise to cause the music           playing intercom (Sigtronics SPA-400 TSO) to mute. Alternator           off, music; alternator on, no music. Trivial but annoying.           Questions:                    Anyone have a Ducati forward of the firewall? Does it live             long there? (I can put mine back forward, but don't want to             fry it.)

                      
Anyone have a Ducati aft of the firewall? Do you get radio             noise? Anyone built a Faraday cage or other noise             attenuation device?

                    
         
Climbing at about 13.5k I get a sudden overheat on the rear           cylinder. (Running a GRT 2000 with CHT on 1 and 4 cylinders,           just like stock.) Now the rear cylinder runs typically 40-60F           hotter than the front. I assumed this was air cooling, but I'm           wondering if I have something wrong with my cooling system           that's making that rear cylinder run hotter. When I got the           overheat indication I pulled the power back and everything           re-normalized happily. Back at the hangar I discovered coolant           sprayed over the inside of the engine compartment indicating           the cap vented. So I'm guessing that rear cylinder boiled           momentarily, then recovered when I pulled the power. Is that           recoverable? Or am I looking at an inspection and tear-down?           Do you guys get different CHT's on 1 and 4?         
And now for the coup de gras. Running at 13.5k' where it's           nice and cool I notice a 6' crack in the windscreen, running           down from the upper left corner where everything's tight. By           the time I get hangared it's 12", too long to ignore or fix.           So, new windscreen time. (Double damn.) Questions:                    Has anyone bought the LP Aero windscreen? Is it fitted?             Did it fit reasonably well?           
Is John's windscreen fitted? Or is it flat sheet?           
Anyone heat-form their windscreen? I know the guy who put             mine together did, but obviously not well enough. Anyone             have a K-IV windscreen mold?         
       
          

Thanks all. Sorry for the long winded post. Obviously we're not       making it to Osh this year. Very sad. We'll try again next year       with a bird that's flying well in advance.

          

Guy Buchanan

       Ramona, CA

       Kitfox IV-1200 / 912-S / Warp 3cs / 500 hrs. and NO LONGER       grounded

       Now a glider pilot, too.

       

       

           [quote][b]

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

_________________
Guy Buchanan
Deceased K-IV 1200
A glider pilot too.

mdkitfox(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 3:32 pm Post subject: Problems, problems

Guy,



Too bad about having so many problems and not being able to make it to Oshkosh.  I can only answer one of your questions and that’s the LP Windshield.  I have one and it went on fairly easy. No issues at all.  As I recall, the fit was very good with only a reasonable amount of trimming required, mostly at the aft end.  Mine was the one piece windshield/overhead skylight. and it was a Series V.  Since I’m in the Sunshine state, I ordered the tinted version.  It really helps cut the heat load.

Best of luck to you.

Rick Weiss



On Jul 16, 2015, at 7:08 PM, Guy Buchanan <gebuchanan(at)cox.net (gebuchanan(at)cox.net)> wrote:

[quote]                    We're having some fun now!

     

            Monday morning pull the plane out to find fuel leaking from         one of the wing valves. Fortunately I have another in stock.         (Why, I don't know.)       
Monday afternoon go flying and fry the Key West voltage         regulator. I'm pulling almost no load so it's probably due to         heat. (Very hot forward of the firewall.) Mount the Ducati that         came with the engine behind the firewall. I get some noise on         the headsets but it's not too bad.       
Tuesday for a good long flight and come back to find I'm         melting the PVC aero cover on the gear leg. Bad. I had the stick         on heat shield but it's really for radiated heat, not an         impinging hot jet stream. Spend the next two days making a cool         stainless heat shield.       
Today go flying and three things happen:                The Ducati is putting out enough noise to cause the music           playing intercom (Sigtronics SPA-400 TSO) to mute. Alternator           off, music; alternator on, no music. Trivial but annoying.           Questions:                    Anyone have a Ducati forward of the firewall? Does it live             long there? (I can put mine back forward, but don't want to             fry it.)

                      
Anyone have a Ducati aft of the firewall? Do you get radio             noise? Anyone built a Faraday cage or other noise             attenuation device?

                    
         
Climbing at about 13.5k I get a sudden overheat on the rear           cylinder. (Running a GRT 2000 with CHT on 1 and 4 cylinders,           just like stock.) Now the rear cylinder runs typically 40-60F           hotter than the front. I assumed this was air cooling, but I'm           wondering if I have something wrong with my cooling system           that's making that rear cylinder run hotter. When I got the           overheat indication I pulled the power back and everything           re-normalized happily. Back at the hangar I discovered coolant           sprayed over the inside of the engine compartment indicating           the cap vented. So I'm guessing that rear cylinder boiled           momentarily, then recovered when I pulled the power. Is that           recoverable? Or am I looking at an inspection and tear-down?           Do you guys get different CHT's on 1 and 4?         
And now for the coup de gras. Running at 13.5k' where it's           nice and cool I notice a 6' crack in the windscreen, running           down from the upper left corner where everything's tight. By           the time I get hangared it's 12", too long to ignore or fix.           So, new windscreen time. (Double damn.) Questions:                    Has anyone bought the LP Aero windscreen? Is it fitted?             Did it fit reasonably well?           
Is John's windscreen fitted? Or is it flat sheet?           
Anyone heat-form their windscreen? I know the guy who put             mine together did, but obviously not well enough. Anyone             have a K-IV windscreen mold?         
       
     

Thanks all. Sorry for the long winded post. Obviously we're not       making it to Osh this year. Very sad. We'll try again next year       with a bird that's flying well in advance.

     

Guy Buchanan

       Ramona, CA

       Kitfox IV-1200 / 912-S / Warp 3cs / 500 hrs. and NO LONGER       grounded

       Now a glider pilot, too.

       

       

            	  Quote: 	
		  



href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

href="http://forums.matronics.com/">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	


[b]

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

mdkitfox(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 3:34 pm Post subject: Problems, problems

Guy,



Too bad about having so many problems and not being able to make it to Oshkosh.  I can only answer one of your questions and that’s the LP Windshield.  I have one and it went on fairly easy. No issues at all.  As I recall, the fit was very good with only a reasonable amount of trimming required, mostly at the aft end.  Mine was the one piece windshield/overhead skylight. and it was a Series V.  Since I’m in the Sunshine state, I ordered the tinted version.  It really helps cut the heat load.

Best of luck to you.

Rick Weiss



On Jul 16, 2015, at 7:08 PM, Guy Buchanan <gebuchanan(at)cox.net (gebuchanan(at)cox.net)> wrote:

[quote]                    We're having some fun now!

     

            Monday morning pull the plane out to find fuel leaking from         one of the wing valves. Fortunately I have another in stock.         (Why, I don't know.)       
Monday afternoon go flying and fry the Key West voltage         regulator. I'm pulling almost no load so it's probably due to         heat. (Very hot forward of the firewall.) Mount the Ducati that         came with the engine behind the firewall. I get some noise on         the headsets but it's not too bad.       
Tuesday for a good long flight and come back to find I'm         melting the PVC aero cover on the gear leg. Bad. I had the stick         on heat shield but it's really for radiated heat, not an         impinging hot jet stream. Spend the next two days making a cool         stainless heat shield.       
Today go flying and three things happen:                The Ducati is putting out enough noise to cause the music           playing intercom (Sigtronics SPA-400 TSO) to mute. Alternator           off, music; alternator on, no music. Trivial but annoying.           Questions:                    Anyone have a Ducati forward of the firewall? Does it live             long there? (I can put mine back forward, but don't want to             fry it.)

                      
Anyone have a Ducati aft of the firewall? Do you get radio             noise? Anyone built a Faraday cage or other noise             attenuation device?

                    
         
Climbing at about 13.5k I get a sudden overheat on the rear           cylinder. (Running a GRT 2000 with CHT on 1 and 4 cylinders,           just like stock.) Now the rear cylinder runs typically 40-60F           hotter than the front. I assumed this was air cooling, but I'm           wondering if I have something wrong with my cooling system           that's making that rear cylinder run hotter. When I got the           overheat indication I pulled the power back and everything           re-normalized happily. Back at the hangar I discovered coolant           sprayed over the inside of the engine compartment indicating           the cap vented. So I'm guessing that rear cylinder boiled           momentarily, then recovered when I pulled the power. Is that           recoverable? Or am I looking at an inspection and tear-down?           Do you guys get different CHT's on 1 and 4?         
And now for the coup de gras. Running at 13.5k' where it's           nice and cool I notice a 6' crack in the windscreen, running           down from the upper left corner where everything's tight. By           the time I get hangared it's 12", too long to ignore or fix.           So, new windscreen time. (Double damn.) Questions:                    Has anyone bought the LP Aero windscreen? Is it fitted?             Did it fit reasonably well?           
Is John's windscreen fitted? Or is it flat sheet?           
Anyone heat-form their windscreen? I know the guy who put             mine together did, but obviously not well enough. Anyone             have a K-IV windscreen mold?         
       
     

Thanks all. Sorry for the long winded post. Obviously we're not       making it to Osh this year. Very sad. We'll try again next year       with a bird that's flying well in advance.

     

Guy Buchanan

       Ramona, CA

       Kitfox IV-1200 / 912-S / Warp 3cs / 500 hrs. and NO LONGER       grounded

       Now a glider pilot, too.

       

       

            	  Quote: 	
		  



href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

href="http://forums.matronics.com/">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	


[b]

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Guy Buchanan

Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1204
Location: Ramona, CA

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 3:57 pm Post subject: Problems, problems

Thanks Rick. That was the important       one. If I want to get flying soon I've got to order soon, and       John's away to Oshkosh.

       

       Guy

       

       On 7/16/2015 4:31 PM, Rick Weiss wrote:

     

     [quote]              Guy,       

       

       Too bad about having so many problems and not being able to         make it to Oshkosh.  I can only answer one of your questions and         that’s the LP Windshield.  I have one and it went on fairly         easy. No issues at all.  As I recall, the fit was very good with         only a reasonable amount of trimming required, mostly at the aft         end.  Mine was the one piece windshield/overhead skylight. and         it was a Series V.  Since I’m in the Sunshine state, I ordered         the tinted version.  It really helps cut the heat load.

       

       

       Best of luck to you.

       

       

       Rick Weiss       

       

       

       

       On Jul 16, 2015, at 7:08 PM, Guy Buchanan <[url=mailto:gebuchanan(at)cox.net]gebuchanan(at)cox.net (gebuchanan(at)cox.net)[/url]>         wrote:

                     	  Quote: 	
		                             We're having some fun               now!

               

                                Monday morning pull the plane out to find fuel                   leaking from one of the wing valves. Fortunately I                   have another in stock. (Why, I don't know.)                 
Monday afternoon go flying and fry the Key West                   voltage regulator. I'm pulling almost no load so it's                   probably due to heat. (Very hot forward of the                   firewall.) Mount the Ducati that came with the engine                   behind the firewall. I get some noise on the headsets                   but it's not too bad.                 
Tuesday for a good long flight and come back to find                   I'm melting the PVC aero cover on the gear leg. Bad. I                   had the stick on heat shield but it's really for                   radiated heat, not an impinging hot jet stream. Spend                   the next two days making a cool stainless heat shield.                 
Today go flying and three things happen:                                    The Ducati is putting out enough noise to cause                     the music playing intercom (Sigtronics SPA-400 TSO)                     to mute. Alternator off, music; alternator on, no                     music. Trivial but annoying. Questions:                                        Anyone have a Ducati forward of the firewall?                       Does it live long there? (I can put mine back                       forward, but don't want to fry it.)

                                          
Anyone have a Ducati aft of the firewall? Do you                       get radio noise? Anyone built a Faraday cage or                       other noise attenuation device?

                                        
                   
Climbing at about 13.5k I get a sudden overheat on                     the rear cylinder. (Running a GRT 2000 with CHT on 1                     and 4 cylinders, just like stock.) Now the rear                     cylinder runs typically 40-60F hotter than the                     front. I assumed this was air cooling, but I'm                     wondering if I have something wrong with my cooling                     system that's making that rear cylinder run hotter.                     When I got the overheat indication I pulled the                     power back and everything re-normalized happily.                     Back at the hangar I discovered coolant sprayed over                     the inside of the engine compartment indicating the                     cap vented. So I'm guessing that rear cylinder                     boiled momentarily, then recovered when I pulled the                     power. Is that recoverable? Or am I looking at an                     inspection and tear-down? Do you guys get different                     CHT's on 1 and 4?                   
And now for the coup de gras. Running at 13.5k'                     where it's nice and cool I notice a 6' crack in the                     windscreen, running down from the upper left corner                     where everything's tight. By the time I get hangared                     it's 12", too long to ignore or fix. So, new                     windscreen time. (Double damn.) Questions:                                        Has anyone bought the LP Aero windscreen? Is it                       fitted? Did it fit reasonably well?                     
Is John's windscreen fitted? Or is it flat                       sheet?                     
Anyone heat-form their windscreen? I know the                       guy who put mine together did, but obviously not                       well enough. Anyone have a K-IV windscreen mold?                   
                 
                              

Thanks all. Sorry for the long winded post. Obviously                 we're not making it to Osh this year. Very sad. We'll                 try again next year with a bird that's flying well in                 advance.

                              

Guy Buchanan

                 Ramona, CA

                 Kitfox IV-1200 / 912-S / Warp 3cs / 500 hrs. and NO                 LONGER grounded

                 Now a glider pilot, too.

                 

                 

                               	  Quote: 	
		  



href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

href="http://forums.matronics.com/">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	
             

           

	
     [b]

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

_________________
Guy Buchanan
Deceased K-IV 1200
A glider pilot too.

poasttown(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 4:55 pm Post subject: Problems, problems

Sorry to hear about your issues.  I installed the LP windshield. Mine is the one piece unit.  I think at the time I was doing mine, approx. 15 years ago, they also had a two piece unit. Yes it went in fairly easily but I was very cautious and took my time.  However, it did take some cutting and grinding to get a good fit.  I am very happy with their product and to date have not had any issues.

Mike Chaney

1996 Kitfox IV/Jabiru 2200

Sent from my iPhone

[quote]

       

       

            	  Quote: 	
		  

	
[b]

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

KeysFox

Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 5:41 pm Post subject: Problems, problems

Guy,



Sorry you are having so many opportunities for problem solving.



The LP Aero Plastics windshield installed about 9 years ago in my Kitfox

IV 1050 needed some trimming pretty much all around.



If it is of any use the coolant line temp probe assembly sold by Lockwood

shows about 10 degrees cooler than the rear cylinder mounted temp sending

unit in my 912, 80 hp.



Being an old pro at this stuff I am sure you have the high pressure

coolant cap recommended by Rotax some time ago.



BJ



 	  Quote: 	
		   We're having some fun now!



   * Monday morning pull the plane out to find fuel leaking from one of

     the wing valves. Fortunately I have another in stock. (Why, I don't

     know.)

   * Monday afternoon go flying and fry the Key West voltage regulator.

     I'm pulling almost no load so it's probably due to heat. (Very hot

     forward of the firewall.) Mount the Ducati that came with the engine

     behind the firewall. I get some noise on the headsets but it's not

     too bad.

   * Tuesday for a good long flight and come back to find I'm melting the

     PVC aero cover on the gear leg. Bad. I had the stick on heat shield

     but it's really for radiated heat, not an impinging hot jet stream.

     Spend the next two days making a cool stainless heat shield.

   * Today go flying and three things happen:

       o The Ducati is putting out enough noise to cause the music

         playing intercom (Sigtronics SPA-400 TSO) to mute. Alternator

         off, music; alternator on, no music. Trivial but annoying.

         Questions:

           + Anyone have a Ducati forward of the firewall? Does it live

             long there? (I can put mine back forward, but don't want to

             fry it.)

           + Anyone have a Ducati aft of the firewall? Do you get radio

             noise? Anyone built a Faraday cage or other noise

             attenuation device?

       o Climbing at about 13.5k I get a sudden overheat on the rear

         cylinder. (Running a GRT 2000 with CHT on 1 and 4 cylinders,

         just like stock.) Now the rear cylinder runs typically 40-60F

         hotter than the front. I assumed this was air cooling, but I'm

         wondering if I have something wrong with my cooling system

         that's making that rear cylinder run hotter. When I got the

         overheat indication I pulled the power back and everything

         re-normalized happily. Back at the hangar I discovered coolant

         sprayed over the inside of the engine compartment indicating the

         cap vented. So I'm guessing that rear cylinder boiled

         momentarily, then recovered when I pulled the power. Is that

         recoverable? Or am I looking at an inspection and tear-down? Do

         you guys get different CHT's on 1 and 4?

       o And now for the coup de gras. Running at 13.5k' where it's nice

         and cool I notice a 6' crack in the windscreen, running down

         from the upper left corner where everything's tight. By the time

         I get hangared it's 12", too long to ignore or fix. So, new

         windscreen time. (Double damn.) Questions:

           + Has anyone bought the LP Aero windscreen? Is it fitted? Did

             it fit reasonably well?

           + Is John's windscreen fitted? Or is it flat sheet?

           + Anyone heat-form their windscreen? I know the guy who put

             mine together did, but obviously not well enough. Anyone

             have a K-IV windscreen mold?



 Thanks all. Sorry for the long winded post. Obviously we're not making

 it to Osh this year. Very sad. We'll try again next year with a bird

 that's flying well in advance.



 Guy Buchanan

 Ramona, CA

 Kitfox IV-1200 / 912-S / Warp 3cs / 500 hrs. and NO LONGER grounded

 Now a glider pilot, too.

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023

lcfitt3(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 8:07 pm Post subject: Problems, problems

Guy,

 Sorry about the challenges.  I know some folks who  have a capacitor in the charge circuit for noise suppression.  Regarding  the windshield - I personally like the Polycarbonate windshield.  by  removing your old one, you have a perfect pattern for cutting and drilling a new  one and it is a half day project - material often available  locally.  The Polycarbonate version is about a third the weight of the  Acrylic one.  If you are going in the Acrylic direction, you can get it  direct from L P Aeroplastics - no waiting.  I am pretty sure they supply  Kitfox Aircraft as that is what the guys installing them call them.  Treat  the Acrylic kindly as it can crack easily during installation.  Don't force  it to fit.

 Lowell

  



  From: Guy Buchanan (gebuchanan(at)cox.net) 

 Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015 4:08 PM

 To: Kitfox list (kitfox-list(at)matronics.com) 

 Subject: Problems, problems

 



We're having some fun now!



    Monday morning pull the plane out to find fuel leaking from one of the    wing valves. Fortunately I have another in stock. (Why, I don't know.)    
Monday afternoon go flying and fry the Key West voltage regulator. I'm    pulling almost no load so it's probably due to heat. (Very hot forward of the    firewall.) Mount the Ducati that came with the engine behind the firewall. I    get some noise on the headsets but it's not too bad.    
Tuesday for a good long flight and come back to find I'm melting the PVC    aero cover on the gear leg. Bad. I had the stick on heat shield but it's    really for radiated heat, not an impinging hot jet stream. Spend the next two    days making a cool stainless heat shield.    
Today go flying and three things happen:         The Ducati is putting out enough noise to cause the music playing      intercom (Sigtronics SPA-400 TSO) to mute. Alternator off, music; alternator      on, no music. Trivial but annoying. Questions:             Anyone have a Ducati forward of the firewall? Does it live long there?        (I can put mine back forward, but don't want to fry it.)

       
Anyone have a Ducati aft of the firewall? Do you get radio noise?        Anyone built a Faraday cage or other noise attenuation device?

     
Climbing at about 13.5k I get a sudden overheat on the rear cylinder.      (Running a GRT 2000 with CHT on 1 and 4 cylinders, just like stock.) Now the      rear cylinder runs typically 40-60F hotter than the front. I assumed this      was air cooling, but I'm wondering if I have something wrong with my cooling      system that's making that rear cylinder run hotter. When I got the overheat      indication I pulled the power back and everything re-normalized happily.      Back at the hangar I discovered coolant sprayed over the inside of the      engine compartment indicating the cap vented. So I'm guessing that rear      cylinder boiled momentarily, then recovered when I pulled the power. Is that      recoverable? Or am I looking at an inspection and tear-down? Do you guys get      different CHT's on 1 and 4?      
And now for the coup de gras. Running at 13.5k' where it's nice and cool      I notice a 6' crack in the windscreen, running down from the upper left      corner where everything's tight. By the time I get hangared it's 12", too      long to ignore or fix. So, new windscreen time. (Double damn.) Questions:             Has anyone bought the LP Aero windscreen? Is it fitted? Did it fit        reasonably well?        
Is John's windscreen fitted? Or is it flat sheet?        
Anyone heat-form their windscreen? I know the guy who put mine        together did, but obviously not well enough. Anyone have a K-IV windscreen        mold?  

Thanks all. Sorry for the long winded post. Obviously we're not making it to  Osh this year. Very sad. We'll try again next year with a bird that's flying  well in advance.

 

Guy Buchanan

Ramona, CA

Kitfox IV-1200 / 912-S / Warp 3cs / 500 hrs.  and NO LONGER grounded

Now a glider pilot, too.

[quote]



href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List">http://www.matronhref="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/c

[b]

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

kerrjohna(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 8:57 am Post subject: Problems, problems

Replaced my polycarbonate with the same in about 4 hours.  Local vendor obtained the flat sheet for me for less than $100.  Lay the old over the new and mark the paper for trimming a little wide of necessary to allow for final fit.

I have a 20000f capacitor with the ducati behind the firewall and have no noise.

John Kerr

Logan UT

Waiting for back ordered spring gear to complete repairs.  Will be selling the new tube gear for Classic IV

From: "Lowell Fitt" <lcfitt3(at)gmail.com>

To: "kitfox-list" <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>

Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015 10:05:26 PM

Subject: Re: Problems, problems

Guy,

Sorry about the challenges.  I know some folks who have a capacitor in the charge circuit for noise suppression.  Regarding the windshield - I personally like the Polycarbonate windshield.  by removing your old one, you have a perfect pattern for cutting and drilling a new one and it is a half day project - material often available locally.  The Polycarbonate version is about a third the weight of the Acrylic one.  If you are going in the Acrylic direction, you can get it direct from L P Aeroplastics - no waiting.  I am pretty sure they supply Kitfox Aircraft as that is what the guys installing them call them.  Treat the Acrylic kindly as it can crack easily during installation.  Don't force it to fit.

Lowell

From: Guy Buchanan (gebuchanan(at)cox.net)

Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015 4:08 PM

To: Kitfox list (kitfox-list(at)matronics.com)

Subject: Problems, problems





We're having some fun now!

Monday morning pull the plane out to find fuel leaking from one of the wing valves. Fortunately I have another in stock. (Why, I don't know.)
Monday afternoon go flying and fry the Key West voltage regulator. I'm pulling almost no load so it's probably due to heat. (Very hot forward of the firewall.) Mount the Ducati that came with the engine behind the firewall. I get some noise on the headsets but it's not too bad.
Tuesday for a good long flight and come back to find I'm melting the PVC aero cover on the gear leg. Bad. I had the stick on heat shield but it's really for radiated heat, not an impinging hot jet stream. Spend the next two days making a cool stainless heat shield.
Today go flying and three things happen:The Ducati is putting out enough noise to cause the music playing intercom (Sigtronics SPA-400 TSO) to mute. Alternator off, music; alternator on, no music. Trivial but annoying. Questions:Anyone have a Ducati forward of the firewall? Does it live long there? (I can put mine back forward, but don't want to fry it.)

Anyone have a Ducati aft of the firewall? Do you get radio noise? Anyone built a Faraday cage or other noise attenuation device?

Climbing at about 13.5k I get a sudden overheat on the rear cylinder. (Running a GRT 2000 with CHT on 1 and 4 cylinders, just like stock.) Now the rear cylinder runs typically 40-60F hotter than the front. I assumed this was air cooling, but I'm wondering if I have something wrong with my cooling system that's making that rear cylinder run hotter. When I got the overheat indication I pulled the power back and everything re-normalized happily. Back at the hangar I discovered coolant sprayed over the inside of the engine compartment indicating the cap vented. So I'm guessing that rear cylinder boiled momentarily, then recovered when I pulled the power. Is that recoverable? Or am I looking at an inspection and tear-down? Do you guys get different CHT's on 1 and 4?
And now for the coup de gras. Running at 13.5k' where it's nice and cool I notice a 6' crack in the windscreen, running down from the upper left corner where everything's tight. By the time I get hangared it's 12", too long to ignore or fix. So, new windscreen time. (Double damn.) Questions:Has anyone bought the LP Aero windscreen? Is it fitted? Did it fit reasonably well?
Is John's windscreen fitted? Or is it flat sheet?
Anyone heat-form their windscreen? I know the guy who put mine together did, but obviously not well enough. Anyone have a K-IV windscreen mold?

Thanks all. Sorry for the long winded post. Obviously we're not making it to Osh this year. Very sad. We'll try again next year with a bird that's flying well in advance.



Guy Buchanan

Ramona, CA

Kitfox IV-1200 / 912-S / Warp 3cs / 500 hrs. and NO LONGER grounded

Now a glider pilot, too.

 	  Quote: 	
		  



href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List">http://www.matronhref="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/c





arget="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

ta-mce-href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	




 [quote][b]

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

lcfitt3(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 11:31 am Post subject: Problems, problems

One more thought on the Polycarbonate - make that two,  or three.  My first Model IV had a single replacement in 900 hours.   some have heated the wing carry through area with a heat gun to reduce  stresses.  I have never tried it as the Polycarbonate absorbs water - to a  significant degree.  Heat it significantly above 212Â° and it the internal  water will boil resulting in internal bubbles.  I have installed one  Acrylic windshield.  It was on a Series V and the windshield was an early  version and fit very poorly.  It was for someone else so I was vary careful  on the installation because the push to adjust and "CRACK"  reports of  others scared me to death.  It finally went on successfully, but required  some significant fiberglass work to get the wing areas looking OK fairing  wise.  There are two thicknesses that guys use, the 060" and .093".    Keeping in mind that the minimum cold bend radius recommended is 100 times the  thickness the .093  would be almost ten inches, or the .060 - 6 inches.,  I prefer the .060" for that reason.   But, I will occasionally get a slight inward bowing of the windshield  during a rapid descent which might take me a bit over cruise  speed.  Others donâ€™t feel comfortable with that and go with the  .093".

  

 The following link is from the brand used by Tap  Plastics and gives detailed advice for the fabrication of the plastic. http://www.tapplastics.com/uploads/pdf/Fabrication_Guide.pdf

 Lowell

  



  From: kerrjohna(at)comcast.net (kerrjohna(at)comcast.net) 

 Sent: Friday, July 17, 2015 9:54 AM

 To: kitfox-list (kitfox-list(at)matronics.com) 

 Subject: Re: Problems, problems

 



  Replaced my polycarbonate with the same in about  4 hours.  Local vendor obtained the flat sheet for me for less than $100.   Lay the old over the new and mark the paper for trimming a little wide of  necessary to allow for final fit.

 



 I have a 20000f capacitor with the ducati behind  the firewall and have no noise.

 



 John Kerr

 Logan UT

 



 Waiting for back ordered spring gear to complete  repairs.  Will be selling the new tube gear for Classic IV

 



   From:  "Lowell Fitt" <lcfitt3(at)gmail.com>

To: "kitfox-list"  <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>

Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015  10:05:26 PM

Subject: Re: Problems, problems

 



 Guy,

 Sorry about the challenges.  I know some folks who have a  capacitor in the charge circuit for noise suppression.  Regarding the  windshield - I personally like the Polycarbonate windshield.  by removing  your old one, you have a perfect pattern for cutting and drilling a new one and  it is a half day project - material often available locally.  The  Polycarbonate version is about a third the weight of the Acrylic one.  If  you are going in the Acrylic direction, you can get it direct from L P  Aeroplastics - no waiting.  I am pretty sure they supply Kitfox Aircraft as  that is what the guys installing them call them.  Treat the Acrylic kindly  as it can crack easily during installation.  Don't force it to  fit.

 Lowell

  



  From:  Guy Buchanan (gebuchanan(at)cox.net)

 Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015 4:08 PM

 To: Kitfox list (kitfox-list(at)matronics.com)

 Subject: Problems, problems

 



We're having some fun now!

 



    Monday morning pull the plane out to find fuel leaking from one of the    wing valves. Fortunately I have another in stock. (Why, I don't know.)    
Monday afternoon go flying and fry the Key West voltage regulator. I'm    pulling almost no load so it's probably due to heat. (Very hot forward of the    firewall.) Mount the Ducati that came with the engine behind the firewall. I    get some noise on the headsets but it's not too bad.    
Tuesday for a good long flight and come back to find I'm melting the PVC    aero cover on the gear leg. Bad. I had the stick on heat shield but it's    really for radiated heat, not an impinging hot jet stream. Spend the next two    days making a cool stainless heat shield.    
Today go flying and three things happen:         The Ducati is putting out enough noise to cause the music playing      intercom (Sigtronics SPA-400 TSO) to mute. Alternator off, music; alternator      on, no music. Trivial but annoying. Questions:             Anyone have a Ducati forward of the firewall? Does it live long there?        (I can put mine back forward, but don't want to fry it.)

       
Anyone have a Ducati aft of the firewall? Do you get radio noise?        Anyone built a Faraday cage or other noise attenuation device?

     
Climbing at about 13.5k I get a sudden overheat on the rear cylinder.      (Running a GRT 2000 with CHT on 1 and 4 cylinders, just like stock.) Now the      rear cylinder runs typically 40-60F hotter than the front. I assumed this      was air cooling, but I'm wondering if I have something wrong with my cooling      system that's making that rear cylinder run hotter. When I got the overheat      indication I pulled the power back and everything re-normalized happily.      Back at the hangar I discovered coolant sprayed over the inside of the      engine compartment indicating the cap vented. So I'm guessing that rear      cylinder boiled momentarily, then recovered when I pulled the power. Is that      recoverable? Or am I looking at an inspection and tear-down? Do you guys get      different CHT's on 1 and 4?      
And now for the coup de gras. Running at 13.5k' where it's nice and cool      I notice a 6' crack in the windscreen, running down from the upper left      corner where everything's tight. By the time I get hangared it's 12", too      long to ignore or fix. So, new windscreen time. (Double damn.) Questions:             Has anyone bought the LP Aero windscreen? Is it fitted? Did it fit        reasonably well?        
Is John's windscreen fitted? Or is it flat sheet?        
Anyone heat-form their windscreen? I know the guy who put mine        together did, but obviously not well enough. Anyone have a K-IV windscreen        mold? 

Thanks all. Sorry for the long winded post. Obviously we're not making it to  Osh this year. Very sad. We'll try again next year with a bird that's flying  well in advance.

 

Guy Buchanan

Ramona, CA

Kitfox IV-1200 / 912-S / Warp 3cs / 500 hrs.  and NO LONGER grounded

Now a glider pilot, too.

 



 	  Quote: 	
		  



href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List">http://www.matronhref="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/c





arget="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

ta-mce-href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	


 

[quote]



href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List">http://www.matronhref="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/c

[b]

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum