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Using a key Ignition switch with a Rotax 912

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lgold(at)quantum-associat
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject: Using a key Ignition switch with a Rotax 912

I know it is not the best idea to use an off the shelf inexpensive duel ignition switch with a key because of the possibility of the switch failing. However, given the ease of use and (limited) security feature, I chose to use such a keyed switch.  

Now I am being told that it is a particularly bad idea to use this type of switch on a Rotax 912 engine because a lot more current passes through the switch with a Rotax 912 than with a Continental or Lycoming. I was also told that this current far exceeds the current that these switches were designed for.   

Does anyone know if this information is true?  I don’t want to have to lie upside down under may panel for a few hours pulling out the darn switch if this is just an old wife’s tale.     

Les  

       [quote][b]

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jindoguy(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:51 pm Post subject: Using a key Ignition switch with a Rotax 912

Les, Check the 912 installation manual, but I think you're the victim of an OHFT (old hangar flying tale, let's just leave the wives out of this :-}



Rick



On Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 6:20 PM, Les Goldner <lgold(at)quantum-associates.com (lgold(at)quantum-associates.com)> wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		               

I know it is not the best idea to use an off the shelf inexpensive duel ignition switch with a key because of the possibility of the switch failing. However, given the ease of use and (limited) security feature, I chose to use such a keyed switch.  

Now I am being told that it is a particularly bad idea to use this type of switch on a Rotax 912 engine because a lot more current passes through the switch with a Rotax 912 than with a Continental or Lycoming. I was also told that this current far exceeds the current that these switches were designed for.   

Does anyone know if this information is true?  I don't want to have to lie upside down under may panel for a few hours pulling out the darn switch if this is just an old wife's tale.     

Les  

        [/b] 	


[b]

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floyd wilkes

Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 39
Location: spring branch, tx

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject: Using a key Ignition switch with a Rotax 912

Les,

  

 I am not sure how the Rotax works but here is what  I did for a Continental.

  

 I used two toggle switches with OFF-ON-monentary ON  position for my mags and start function..  I wired the two Monentary ON in  series then to an external starter relay.  Thus the toggles only see the  small current needed for the relay.  I have to hold both switches in the  Momentary ON  position to engage the starter and when I tun lose, they go  to the ON positions for the individual mags.  I do not have a key in the  ignition system but I doubt anyone could figure out how to start the plane and  it is well insured.  Besides, the plane is in a locked hangar.

  

 I am sure you could do the same and have your key  switch to control a relay that controls the starter.  This is how the TC  aircraft work.  You may also consider a "starter engaged" light to let you  know if the starter relay ever sticks closed.

  

 Floyd Wilkes

 601XL  Flying and having a wonderful  time.

 [quote]   ---

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Floyd Wilkes

JohnInReno

Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Posts: 150

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:27 pm Post subject: Using a key Ignition switch with a Rotax 912

I wasn't going to use a key at all but decided that the appearance of a 

(limited) security feature was a good thing. I used a marine ignition 

switch off-run-(start) with the only the (start) position used for the 

engine starter. I am planning on using the "run" position to activate 

the APRS tracking radio. Turning to "off" and pulling out the key has 

zero effect the electronics or a running engine.



john



Les Goldner wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 I know it is not the best idea to use an off the shelf inexpensive 

 duel ignition switch with a key because of the possibility of the 

 switch failing. However, given the ease of use and (limited) security 

 feature, I chose to use such a keyed switch.



 Now I am being told that it is a particularly bad idea to use this 

 type of switch on a Rotax 912 engine because a lot more current passes 

 through the switch with a Rotax 912 than with a Continental or 

 Lycoming. I was also told that this current far exceeds the current 

 that these switches were designed for.



 Does anyone know if this information is true? I don’t want to have to 

 lie upside down under may panel for a few hours pulling out the darn 

 switch if this is just an old wife’s tale.



 Les



 *

 *

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John Morgensen
RV-9A - Born on July 3, 2013
RV4 - for sale

etienne.phillips(at)gmail
Guest

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:18 am Post subject: Using a key Ignition switch with a Rotax 912

On 15 Jan 2009, at 3:08 AM, Floyd wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   I do not have a key in the ignition system but I doubt anyone could figure out how to start the plane...

	




Of course there's nothing stopping someone capable of flying the aircraft (generally a pilot) from turning on the mags and hand-swinging the prop 

 [quote][b]

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rampil

Joined: 04 May 2007
Posts: 870

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:11 am Post subject: Re: Using a key Ignition switch with a Rotax 912

I actually use a keyed ignition switch on my 912ULS.

It is a Bendix switch and has been working as planned for 5 years.

My a/c is not the only rotax powered, keyed system I know of.

Any trip to SnF or Osh will illustrate this is a popular system config.



If I were you Les, I would ignore the comments of anyone who does

not have direct, hands on experience with the 912/914

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Ira N224XS

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:44 am Post subject: Using a key Ignition switch with a Rotax 912

At 09:11 AM 1/15/2009, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



I actually use a keyed ignition switch on my 912ULS.

It is a Bendix switch and has been working as planned for 5 years.

My a/c is not the only rotax powered, keyed system I know of.

Any trip to SnF or Osh will illustrate this is a popular system config.



If I were you Les, I would ignore the comments of anyone who does

not have direct, hands on experience with the 912/914


	


   The Rotax ignition systems use the same switching

   conventions as a legacy magneto. I.e. closing the

   switch kills the ignition system. The standard

   off-l-r-both-start switches work fine.



   Keyed switches were the brain-child of the airplane-

   in-every-garage thinking of those who were building

   aviation manufacturing empires with grandiose plans.

   The idea was that the more your airplane looked/felt

   like an automobile, the better. The earliest single

   engine aircraft were not fitted with key-locked mag

   switches. Certainly airplanes with two or more engines

   were and are not fitted with multiple key-locked switches.



   I once brought a rental aircraft home after loosing

   the key by wiggling the ring terminals on the back of

   the mag switch until they broke off. I propped the

   engine and came home. It took ten minutes with a

   crimp tool to fix the wiring after I got back.



   If someone is capable of flying your airplane and

   has evil intent upon depriving you of possession,

   the key-lock switch is a trivial impediment to their

   purpose. This is the better theft deterrent . . .



http://aeroelectric.com/Pictures/Misc/AC_Theft_Protection.jpg



   This particular airplane's doors can be opened in

   seconds with a lock-pick and turning wrench. The super-

   hard chain and lock are entirely another matter . . .

        Bob . . .



        ----------------------------------------)

        ( . . .  a long habit of not thinking   )

        ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial )

        ( appearance of being right . . .       )

        (                                       )

        (                  -Thomas Paine 1776-  )

        ----------------------------------------

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rampil

Joined: 04 May 2007
Posts: 870

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:00 pm Post subject: Re: Using a key Ignition switch with a Rotax 912

I can't think of a single aircraft you could park in my old neighborhood

of 168th & Broadway, NYC and have it be there in the morning, hardened

chain and all.



Maybe that why the TSA has locked up all the airports?



I'm just kidding guys

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Ira N224XS

rckol

Joined: 14 Nov 2008
Posts: 36

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:08 am Post subject: Re: Using a key Ignition switch with a Rotax 912

I have decided to use a keyed switch for the starter contactor only, as a safety measure, not a security measure.



MacMaster-Carr has small and inexpensive keyed security switches available in a two position SPST momentary contact version that would seem to do the job.  



http://www.mcmaster.com/#key-switches/=qsw33

Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with these?

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