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1. 05:25 AM - carburetor ice and electric carb. heater (Thom Riddle)
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| Subject: | carburetor ice and electric carb. heater |
--> RotaxEngines-List message posted by: "Thom Riddle" <jtriddle@adelphia.net>
Although Rotax 912 series engines with the Bing 64 carburetors are not very prone
to carburetor ice, it does happen under some conditions. On the return trip
from Clarksville, Tennessee to Buffalo, New York this past Monday. I experienced
carb. ice when approaching the relatively high humidity region near Lake Erie.
We were cruising at 5,500' msl at 5,200 rpm when I noticed a slow descent
and lower engine RPM (5,000 rpm). The OAT was about 43F (6C), nearly ideal conditions
for carb. ice with high humidity.
Since our engine is not equipped with carb. heat, I advanced the throttle but no
change in power or RPM and we kept descending slowly. The engine was obviously
developing less power than two mintues before but there was no indication other
than the lower RPM and lack of increase with full throttle. I cycled the
throttle to idle and back to full throttle a couple times and it cleared up completely
without skipping a bit and never returned for the remainder of the 600nm
flight.
Moral of story is when in high humidity conditions keep a watchful eye on RPM when
cruising. If you catch it early it can usually be cleared very easily and
quickly on this type carb. by cycling the throttle to idle and back a couple of
times. Once the ice starts building up it continues to build up rapidly and
becomes serious very quickly if not dealt with early.
I've heard someone makes an electric carb. heater for the Bing 64 but don't know
who sells them. Anyone out there know abou this and a source? I know the HKS
engine importer in the USA sells a 12 watt one for the HKS which uses the Bing
64 carbs. but I don't think that is enough power to de-ice a carb once the ice
starts forming. I've heard there is a 60 watt model available somewhere.
Thom in Buffalo
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=28098#28098
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