I was back in the air over the weekend with newly filtered EC2 board, and a reduced pitch Catto prop.

 

All the settings in the EC2 that I can display are now remaining as they were set.  That’s a good thing, but there is still something wrong in controller A.  The mixture gets leaner as I climb, and the only thing we can figure out is something with the induction air temp sensor.  Mine originally came with the 10K thermistor sensor, and Tracy thinks the newer version of the box I got last year may be looking for 3K thermistor.  I wasn’t aware of the change, so maybe that’s it – haven’t figured that out yet.

 

Controller B works fine.

 

Lower pitch prop gives me about 400 more engine rpm at static run-up and climb, 600-700 more at WOT level.  The acceleration on take off is very good – from rolling start to about 65-70 kts in 1000-1100 ft, and mains come off about 400 - 500 ft later (DA about 2000’).  It will climb 1500 fpm as soon as the gear comes up while burning about 19 gph.

 

Nice level cruise at 160 ktas and about 10 gph. High speed of 200 ktas at 19 gph, 2970 rpm on the prop.  Very smooth at any speed.  Still calibrating fuel flow so the burn numbers may be a tad off.

 

Coolant temps are fine for any power – stay at about 180-190 climbout, level cruise drop to 150-160; oil temps get marginally high (220F) in sustained climb (after rapid climb to pattern altitude) so operational limit is about 500 fpm with 85F OAT, and a bit more works at lower OAT. At cruise drops to 180-185. Cooler oil temps in/out and air temps in/out shows that it is air flow limited. At some point I will play with the wing root cooler exit fairing to see if it will enhance flow.

 

EGTs peak at about 1725F WOT, and run about 1650 cruise power (not leaned, maybe close to stochoimetric).

 

This is all at a total weight of about 2100 lbs.

 

Al