Vev

I went and met with City Auto Electrics yesterday (nice chaps) and they have confirmed they can place an extra set of windings on the alternator without increasing the wire gage size.... They seem to think that 12 amps output was quite possible. The only issue is too ensure there is enough clearance between the windings and the rotor as the pole size will grow because of the extra winding, which I will measure this weekend. In the mean time I have installed my spare alternator and things are going fine, however it is marginally over loaded with all of my electrical system running.... the strobes are the killers. CAE also commented on the reg/rectifier and suggested there were better units on the market and thought an upgraded should be considered, although it wasn't a firm recommendation. Never the less I bought one and will install this over the weekend too. I will keep you posted. Cheers Vev

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/raaf-pilots-safe-after-vic-crash-20110518-1esvx.html

I also had a look at it at Temora ... it was quite generous in size and has great possibility. It did look very prototype in its presentation and needs to be cleaned up to meet consumer expectations ... never the less, its great to see another local product evolving and look fwd to seeing it further developed. Cheers Vev

Don, Jabiru is not the only engine that has stopped in flight, Rolls Royce knows how true that actuality is ... I understood your point about not claiming on a warranty is good, but my point was, this is not a reality for any engine manufacture. I think your last comment is being overly emotive with your account of a Jab engine failure (that you missed by few hours) that never actually happened to you. My concern is your personal perception may not be reasonable and you could be unfairly damaging a good Australian brand that deserves more of our support, not criticism through emotive hypothetical comments about what could have happened. The purpose of this thread, in short, was to report actual problems not brand condemnation..... have a read the very first post. Cheers Vev

Don, Whilst this data is 5 years old, I think it still holds up. I somehow think you have the impression that new cars are more reliable than they really are. I suspect Jab has a much lower claim rate than some of these car manufactures. In my experience Jab is aways willing to help their customers and do so well after the warranty period is over.

Thanks Nev/Geoff, Many years ago I use to have motorcycle alternators rewound, as the new Jap replacements were very expensive... lost count how many I had done. I fitted my spare alternator today but haven't run it yet but will try and do tomorrow or thursday and make sure I have charge with all of my systems on. The poles are quite far apart and there seems to be a reasonable amount of room to carry more windings or may be heavier wire, however it really needs an expert eye to look at it. I will give City Aust Elec tomorrow and see what they have to say. Cheers Vev

My alternator died today and I think it has failed owing to overloading. The earlier Jabs had a 10 pole (which I have) and was upgraded to a 12 pole (as fitted to the 6 cyl engine) which increased the amps from 8 to 18 amps. I have a spare 10 pole alternator, which I will fit tomorrow, but I was thinking about having the burnt one rewound…. However I was wondering (need help?) if it would be possible to have an additional layer of winding put on each pole to increase the output and reduce the load? Of course I could upgrade to the 18amp 12 pole but there is a need to replace the stator and other components, which is not cheap. Happy to hear any ideas? Cheers Vev

Hi Darky, There is a motel with restaurant that backs onto the airfield at Tyabb.... also a couple of options in the town which is walking distance. http://www.peninsulamotorinn.com.au/ This one is my fav ... just a short walk from Philip Island airport http://www.dutchiesrestaurant.com.au/Dutchies/home.html Cheers Vev

Well done Win ... cheers Vev

BR, You have 2 Jabs listed in your profile .... have you taken your own counsel and replaced these engines with Rotax 912 out of your own hard earned cash? I'm sure it costs a lot more than $24k to do the change over ... last time I spoke to someone who actually did the job it said it cost a whole lot more. Cheers Vev

I spoke with Shell today and they are very much in support of Jab's recommendation of the 15w-50 Multigrade ... the lubes techo I spoke with can see no reason to be concerned about lead or any other normal combustion contamination in their lube. He also pointed out that chemistry of the product and it's qualifications meet everything one would expect to see in a lube designed to be used with Avgas. He also went on to say, until Jab could convince them otherwise the multigrade will remain as Shell primary recommendation for Jabiru aircraft engines. Cheers Vev

I was at Keith's presentation too and was a bit surprised to hear this claim .... I'm not sure I can reconcile this in my own mind as I know Aeroshell has a solid pass on the Mil-L-22851 and the new replacement spec SAE-J-1899 which must have lead capabilities to obtain this approval. Completely agree with D10, 25 hour oil changes will take care of a multitude of sins, including lead compounds. I wonder if there could be some confusion with Aeroshell Sport 4 Plus product? It is also a multigrade 10W-40 but only has an API SL rating which would suggest it will have lead capabilities but only from an obscure old engine test from the 1970-80's, which isn't going to be a strong lead recommendation in Shell's eyes. Of course the Sport 4 cannot be used in the Jab as it is really designed to work in the Rotax and carries the JASO MA spec for wet clutch motorcycles which reads across to Rotax's gearbox/clutch set up. I will give Shell a call and have a chat to them and see what they have to say.... I will post when I hear their story. Cheers Vev

Hi Pro, There could be a number if reasons as to why your engine is running rough .... read from the attached link in section 12 to kick you off. J2200 Engine Maintenance Solid Valve Lifter Models Manual Attached is the link on carby turning .... the lean burn jetting must not be run and needs to be replaced soonest. JSB018-2 Jabiru Engine Tuning However I would suggest if engine diagnosis is not your skill set go and find yourself a good L2.... getting things right 1st time is sort of important in an aircraft! Lets us know how you get on? Cheers Vev

Good one Tomo .... nice scenery .. thanks for posting. Cheers Vev

Well done Darky .... very pleased for you Vev

Hi Nev, Quite right ... I didn't mean to imply that one should fly around with carb heat on but just to illustrate that its not just a manifold design problem but the Bing has it's own limitations too. Thanks for the qualifying suffix to my post. Cheers Vev

Plain English Policy A written report was tabled and discussed. A motion was carried: That RA-Aus adopt a policy of having “All official communication to pilots to be available in plain English” as a formal Board policy. Ian, What is the scope of this... what does it cover? Does this cover weather, Notam etc? Cheers Vev

Just to share something else on EGT spread on the 4 cylinder (as we are manly taking about the 6 here) is to use a small amount of carby heat. The airbox has a ram air set up so you need to pull the carby heat fully on and then just back it off just a tad. This will allow one to mix the air with some hot and cold to get the right balance to find the sweet spot. When the air is preheated you get better atomisation of the fuel through the Bing and end up with almost even EGT spread ... I guess it's not all of the plenum chambers fault as the Bing has it's draw back too. Cheers Vev

Hi Rod, Sorry about the delay.. I missed your response. You are always welcome at Tyabb ... PM me when you are heading over and we can catch up. May be when you get over we can have a chat about some simple tests you can do on your lubes to check condition as well as open up a filter or two and talk about the contents. Cheers Vev

Hi Deadstick, Many thanks for posting ... I have heard good things about it and hope it delivers all that is has promised. I am curious what if anything they have done with divider aerofoil in the plenum chamber, has this been changed too? Will you be making the carby mods as well? Cheers Vev

Hi D10, I'm often surprised by the knowledge on these forums by the members ... thanks mate! Cheers Vev

Just to put my 10 bobs worth (using old money ... I must be old world too) ... running the Jab engine LoP is only going to end in tears. The majority (not all) of engine problems in Jabs is because of lean running... I also think there is a lack of understanding of how to manage the engine in flight even with a CV Bing fitted. I say, "a fat Jab is a cool Jab". Cheers Vev

I saw this on the EAA site and thought it was a very nice experiment to show one method of reducing electronic interference. http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=595153256001 Cheers Vev

I also just noticed that in an info pack sent out (attached link below) CASA stated that passenger carrying of Part 91 did not apply to the Sports and Recreational Activities covered under Part 103? Not sure if this is still the current position of CASA but it's still currently published on their site in relation to Part 91. http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/newrules/parts/091/download/infopack091_may09.pdf If this is right then a lot of the part 91 passenger requirements may not apply to RAA activities??? Cheers Vev

Hi Kaz, Thanks for pointing this out. I just read the actual sub part division 91.295 in the consultation draft as published by CASA on their site and it doesn't feel a lot different to the rules we use today about height limitations. What is your concern about this area ... may be I'm missing something? Cheers Vev