Model EI / Plenum Installation

While sorting through Sun N' Fun memorabilia, I came across a really clean installation of a plenum and a dual Lightspeed ignition completed by the Glasair folks up in beautiful Arlington, WA. I hope mine turns out half this nice.

More EI Connections

The Lightspeed ignition is a big step outside the box of traditional airplane ignitions. Lightspeed is sensitive to public awareness and is therefore very conservative in it's installation. Lightspeed would like to see both units wired directly to the battery such that the module is the last thing standing when you go down. I have adopted a near battery setup which I feel will too be very reliable. I am also considering a second battery as a backup. Shown are the firewall and internal fused link connections. The ignition modules are controlled from two switched circuit breakers on the panel.

Lightspeed tribulations

Attempting to discover a better mouse trap I decided to go with a dual Plasma III ignition from Lightspeed. The system is very simple to install but requires some TLC on the part of hooking up connections and securing leads to coil packs etc. There is a neat Simpson display option which I am installing and will display later. Information, electronically at your finger tips. One of the big advanatages of EI is the fuel savings /hr of cruise. With dual EI one may expect 1-2 gal/hr and 2-4% increase in horsepower. Good Stuff. Shown are pics of the unit and it's various attach points.

Sizing up the exhaust

As timing would have it I am now prepared to fit the exhaust to this bird and see if I can still get the cowling on. It will be a fight, but one we'll win with dremels and cutting wheels. Here are a few pics of the front and right side views of the engine. John Forsling of Forsling Aviation in NE is working his magic on the exhaust tubes.

Pumping that vital fluid

Getting that blue gold to where it matters most requires more than that mechanical pump tied to the Lycoming. This Precision pump pulls the fuel from the lowest point in the fuselage and pushes it up through the firewall. The gold filter shown replaces the commonly seen gascolator on the firewall but requires that it be changed regularly. I am running an IO-375 which requires the fuel be presurized to provide a smooth running engine.

The power grid

What's a plane without electric? We'll in today's world, we may call that a glider. Homebuilts and store boughts are becoming increasingly dependent on the ships power. Many of the electronic gadgets we are adopting now include internal batteries or map to auxillary batteries backing up the ships main battery. Here is a shot of the power distribution grid along with connections going through the firewall to the main and battery buss connections.

Birds of a feather

Winter wind and snow is no match for the intrepid hangar flyer. Here is John, Chuck, Phil and Pat whipping it up in the warming room. Better flying days are on the horizon.