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Messages - wjohnson

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1
Hangar Flying / Hand prop
« on: March 16, 2006, 07:52:45 PM »
I have hand propped from time to time over 25 years. I watched Burt years ago and saw that his method was the way to do it:
Stand to the right side of the prop and lift the blade with the left hand from a four o'clock position. Your will be off to the side and have a tendency to fall even more to the right. When the engine starts and the prop turns you will be off to the side and almost clear of any prop blast.
Wayne VariEze 725EZ

2
Hangar Flying / Temperature output of carb heat muff
« on: January 20, 2006, 08:59:09 PM »
Thanks for the responses so far about insulating the carb heat intake system.
I have assumed that many, but not all, EZ types are interested in helping others of a like kind.
I went to school when manual typewriters and key punch cards were in use. So I was not aware of this new fangled temperature gauge that has been mentioned.
However, I surely agree that carb icing can be experienced when it gets to be warm weather. I experienced same just west of Spokane, WA during a nice, warm and clear summer day.
And I know that I am not totally alone, since I expect that carb icing is close to the top of FAA reasons for loss of power when flying.
Also, rattling cages does work!
Thanks, Wayne
Varieze N725EZ

3
Hangar Flying / Hazards in higher temp heat muff
« on: January 20, 2006, 01:08:05 PM »
Fellow carnadians,
I see all the interest and upset people when a EZ type plane is posted for sale on eBay or some other site that has some questionable information. It is a good idea as far as I am concerned to question such listings from a safety point of view.
My prior posting about increasing heat muff temperatures via insulating the heat muff, etc. posed safety issues also. I have been surprised by the lack of relevant comments.
What if I insulated the heat muff and managed to increase the temps enough to overheat the Scat type hose? Wouldn't this be really great to happen particularly during the winter when carb heat is a must? The hose could melt with no carb heat available.
If you think one should proceed with caution, do a little insulating at a time, forget the whole thing, etc. I would appreciate your comments. I do know that there are intelligent/experience people out there!  
One suggestion I rec'd to check for leaking cold leaking ram air was a good one and I will be checking on that, but I expect that I will still want to explore insulating the carb heat muff system.
My VariEze is just about 25 years old now and I have made several changes from standard over the years, but don't plan on doing anything too radical or dangerous.
In the interest of all concerned-- just me, but any other EZ types out there with similar problems, how about laying out your thoughts?
WJohnson

4
Hangar Flying / Temperature output of carb heat muff
« on: January 14, 2006, 02:31:15 PM »
I am still interested if anyone has insulated (partially or completely) the carb heat muff or any of the rest of the hot air induction system. Whether I find too much cold air getting in when the carb heat is on, I'm still interested in any thoughts or ideas.
Thanks,
Wayne

5
Hangar Flying / Temperature output of carb heat muff
« on: January 11, 2006, 04:17:32 PM »
Matt,
Good point about closing off the intake air with the carb heat on. I wil see if I can improve that part of it. I know that there is some clearance to the flapper in the ram air box.
That last test flight was 40 deg F at 4000 ft and don't want to have to fly with full carb heat to get above the caution range!
Wayne

6
Hangar Flying / Temperature output of carb heat muff
« on: January 10, 2006, 02:49:23 PM »
Hi,
I have a question about what the max temperature output of a carb heat muff may be. I have the standard VariEze muff for a Herb Sanders exhaust system with extra coils.
Looking at max temps for red (Scat or Sceet)  Aeroduct are 450-500 deg F. I have thought of using max temperature indicator tape that I have seen on the internet. The temperature range of the tape I have seen is limited enough that I don't know which temperature range to start with.
My interest is to improve the heat muff (and possibly the ducting and air box) with Fiberfrax insulation.
Next question: Am I going to get to close to the max temp (1120 deg F) of aluminum on the heat muff also? Not likely?
I flew for years with the standard Rutan induction system with the round air cleaner on the firewall and had no carb icing problems (Cont engine). The ram air box has changed all that! Since I didn't have a carb temp gauge at that time,  I can't compare carb temps.
My carb temp gauge is not calibrated, but at 40 deg F  OAT at altitude the carb temp is about 12 deg C with full carb heat...two degrees above the caution range.
Any experiences or thoughts? Thanks!

Wayne Johnson VariEze N725EZ
Lake Stevens, WA

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