We discovered the M&W CD ignition from Oz would not operate on less than about 11 volts.
We do not have an alternator and voltage regulator. Don't need them for
less than a 15 minute flight. The regulator normally keeps the battery voltage at 14 volts.

Our engine started missing several days prior. We checked with the drag racers and they told
us the M&W  would work on 18 volts. So we put in 18 volt battery in there to just
run the M&W CD ignition. Turns out the original M&W 12 volt wiring was used to power
the intake manifold water injection modulator as well. Since we connected the M&W  power supply wire
to 18 volts that also applied 18 volts to the modulator. Bad news!

That meant the Motec 800 computer had to switch the unusually increased current drawn
by the now 18 Volt modulator. Unfortunately it burned out one of several switching transistors in the Motec.

That held the water injection wide open even on starting.

Well, need less to say, the engine is not designed to run on water.

When we turned it over with the starter lots of water started pouring
out of the exhaust. After a bit this amazing engine started running anyway.

Lots of steam and spitting and shuddering as well as quiting from time to time.

Our Motec engineer Nils Costello, found the problem and re-powered the  modulator
with 12 volts. He also rewired the Motec to use a different switching transistor. There
are many. He had to reprogram it as well.

Fortunately the Motec 800 is capable of testing everything with out running
the engine. We did that and everything now looks like it is ready to go again.

More after we run it and fly it again.

Here is a partial schematic of the panel wiring.

Paul Lamar

The Rotary Engine free News Letter. Powered by Linux. If you want off
the list PLEASE let me know and I will remove  you.  ACRE NL web
site. http://www.rotaryeng.net You Tube http://tinyurl.com/beqqxas
Copyright 1998-2017 All world wide rights reserved.