 |
Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
terrys(at)cisco.com
Guest
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:08 pm Post subject: Airmaster prop controller problem |
 |
|
Hi,
For those of you who have the Airmaster prop:
I went flying yesterday for the first time in 6 weeks. During the run-up, I normally check for ignition drop at 4000 rpm, then place the prop in ‘manual’, increase pitch until rpms drop to 3500, then place the switch back to ‘auto’ and make sure the rpms return to 4000. This time, when I went back to ‘auto’, nothing happened (rpms remained at 3500). Going back to ‘manual’, I was able to go back to fine pitch and 4000 rpm. Tried again, same thing.
I turned the circuit breaker for the prop controller off and back on, then tried the test again and it worked this time, i.e. the prop went back to fine and 4000 rpm when I selected ‘auto’.
Has anyone else had this happen to them?
Any ideas about what the problem was/is?
Regards,
Terry Seaver
A135, XS monowheel with 912S, Airmaster prop.
[quote][b]
| | - The Matronics Europa-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?Europa-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
rampil
Joined: 04 May 2007
Posts: 870
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: Airmaster prop controller problem |
|
|
Happy New Year Terry!
I use the same drill as you for checking the prop.
Did you happen to notice the LED behavior?
They sometimes reflect error codes
Take a look at your carbon electrodes, could be that they are thin,
or also possible is that you have a loose connection to the Hall sensor
which picks up the prop rpm. It won't control if it doesn't know
where its at!
ijr
| | - The Matronics Europa-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?Europa-List |
|
_________________
Ira N224XS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
riddon(at)sent.com
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:25 am Post subject: Airmaster prop controller problem |
|
|
Terry.
Check the carbon brushes are OK if you haven’t already. I have replaced mine twice, they seem to last about 200/250 hours. I visited Airmaster late last year. The latest units have the brushes on the shaft rather than the back plate of the spinner flange which should help the brushes last longer I guess. My prop has also occasionally got it’s knickers in a twist and refused to work properly. No idea what caused it but resetting the breaker has sorted it out so far.
Richard Iddon G-RIXS
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-europa-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Terry Seaver (terrys)
Sent: 04 January 2010 21:03
To: europa-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: Airmaster prop controller problem
Hi,
For those of you who have the Airmaster prop:
I went flying yesterday for the first time in 6 weeks. During the run-up, I normally check for ignition drop at 4000 rpm, then place the prop in ‘manual’, increase pitch until rpms drop to 3500, then place the switch back to ‘auto’ and make sure the rpms return to 4000. This time, when I went back to ‘auto’, nothing happened (rpms remained at 3500). Going back to ‘manual’, I was able to go back to fine pitch and 4000 rpm. Tried again, same thing.
I turned the circuit breaker for the prop controller off and back on, then tried the test again and it worked this time, i.e. the prop went back to fine and 4000 rpm when I selected ‘auto’.
Has anyone else had this happen to them?
Any ideas about what the problem was/is?
Regards,
Terry Seaver
A135, XS monowheel with 912S, Airmaster prop.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
01/03/10 09:41:00
[quote][b]
| | - The Matronics Europa-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?Europa-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
keithhickling(at)clear.ne
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:34 am Post subject: Airmaster prop controller problem |
|
|
Hi Terry,
I have had 2 controller failures. The first was during ground testing, before my first flight in July. After initially working fine, the controller started intermittently not governing, and at times showed both the coarse and fine LEDs lit green at once, which should never occur. At other times it governed normally. Airmaster replaced the controller for me, and the new one operated perfectly for 40 hours. Then in September it stopped governing completely soon after takeoff. It operated normally on manual, but did not govern at all and this time showed no indicator LEDs. I tried resetting the resettable internal fuse, but either the fuse was not the problem or it would not reset. Airmaster again replaced the controller for me, and the new one is operating correctly. Both times, it still operated correctly on manual.
The manual describes the correct indications from the LEDs and what they show in various failure modes, including if the controller is not receiving a speed signal from the prop (flashing orange, as occurs with engine stopped).
Martin at Airmaster was very helpful. You can contact him if you need to at support(at)airmasterpropellers.com (support(at)airmasterpropellers.com) or the phone number is in the manual. He could not find a fault with the first controller (perhaps because it was intermittent) and I have not heard from him yet about the problem with the second controller.
I was naturally quite concerned at having a second failure, and asked Martin if it's OK to have the controller on during starting. He said yes, and most people do, and that they have only seen 1 or 2 controller failures before. I would be interested in what your problem turns out to be.
Regards,
Keith Hickling,
New Zealand.
[quote] ---
| | - The Matronics Europa-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?Europa-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
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
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
