Willie,
It's my understanding that carb icing is not a problem on Rotaxes
_with_heated_carbs_. I've certainly heard of problems on Rotaxes with no
carb heat. There are two ways I know of of doing this - one is sold over
here in the UK by the Rotax agents Skydrive and uses the engine coolant to
heat the carb body, the other uses electrical heating of the carb body (I
think a recent issue of Popular Flying had details).
Note that neither uses heating of the induction air! Hence there is no power
loss and they are usually permanently engaged.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Jeremy
Jeremy Davey
Europa Monowheel 537M G-EZZA
Europa Club Vice-Chairman, Webmaster, PFA NC Representative
PFA EC Member
"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it is
possible you haven't grasped the severity of the situation."
Tail done
Standard XS wings with mods underway
CM installed in fuse (with airbrakes fittings)
1430 build hours to date, build currently stalled due to house moves and
lack of workshop
Intended fit:
Rotax 914 turbo, Airmaster CS fully-feathering prop
Lots of lights, buttons, switches, gizmos, and alarms
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of willie harrison
Sent: 18 January 2006 14:18
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Carb heat mod
--> <willie.harrison@tinyonline.co.uk>
What experience does anyone else have of carb icing on Rotax powered
Europas? I had thought that the standard set up was supposed to be largely
immune but I encountered some serious icing yesterday. In the cruise at
5,200 rpm, 5000 feet, outside air temp approx zero, in clear air above
broken cloud. First of all there was a steady loss of rpm to 4.800 at the
same throttle setting and then when full power was applied for 30 seconds
there were two "kerthumps", presumably as the two carbs lobbed their two ice
cubes into the engine. Fuel is 100% avgas. Coolant and oil were both running
at approx 80C.
The only thing I can think of which is non standard with the way mine is
built is that the inlet air filter has been re-positioned to be directly in
line with the NACA inlet so there is no chance for the inlet air to swirl
around under the cowlings to pick up some heat. Has anyone else heard of
this mod?
What is anyone's experience with carb heaters on this engine?
Cheers
Willie Harrison
G-BZNY - now piling on the hours after some grim teething troubles....
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