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Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:09:49 -0400
From: Ernest Christley <echristley@nc.rr.com>
Reply-To: echristley@att.net
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To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>,
  Mark Brumsey <thermalsol@mindspring.com>, Dwight Frye <dwight@openweave.org>
Subject: Next step
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Last night I installed MegaTune on an old Pentium computer.  I had to 
use an old one, because I need an honest to goodness serial port to talk 
to the MegaSquirt ECU.  This afternoon, I hooked it up to the airplane 
and started checking systems.  First, I calibrated the throttle position 
sensor, then verified that the manifold pressure sensor responded by 
blowing gently in the tube.

The computer has a mode to check the injectors.  I have separate 
switches for the primary and secondaries, and verified a nice 
clakety-clack from each using a metal rod between my ear and each 
injector.  I haven't verified that they all flow equally.  Finally, I 
verified the computer is seeing the engine turn over while cranking.

Two questions:

1) Is a flow test absolutely necessary, or is the sound verification of 
them opening and closing enough to know they're at least working?

2) Is 250RPM enough spin to start a rotary?  I know Lynn has emphasized 
that they start better the faster they can be spun.  Will 250 give an 
easy start?

I now have to bolt the panel back into place, put some gas in the tank, 
and then set the fuel regulator pressure.  Bolt the cowl and prop on, 
call in some fire extinguisher bearing friends.  Roll it out, kick a 
tire and then (hopefully) light the fire.