RE: [COUPERS-TECH] 46Coupe

[Ed Burkhead]

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Charles,

 

If it truly is positive ground right now, you will probably want to change that around – carefully.

 

I’m not an EE, but I remember my most basic electronics, I think.

 

Many items (light bulbs, for example) don’t care which way the electrons flow.

 

Those that do, just want the positive on one lead of the power cable and negative on the other lead – they don’t care if it’s the positive lead connected to the fuselage or visa versa.

 

I’d change it round but first I’d go through EVERY electrically operated item in the plane and consider if it needs to have the wires switched around.

 

Let’s see –

oil pressure gauge – no problem

tachometer – no problem

ammeter – must be switched

altimeter, air speed, VSI, etc., no problem

electric turn and bank – must be switched

radios – must be switched

intercom – if running off airplane power, must be switched

rotating beacon or strobes – must be switched

starter / regulator – must be switched (I think)

 

You get the idea.  You guys can figure this better than I can.

 

Due to the negative ground convention being so universal, changing now will prevent a very unhappy moment someday when you hook up a transponder or GPS or whatever.

 _____________________

 

Fuel nose-tank overflow.  Restrictor in the fuel line just after the fuel pump is the first thing to check.  Next would be the overflow outlet and fuel-lines back to the wing tanks.  (Hope it’s the easy restrictor.)

 

A&P mechanics are not that accustomed to fuel line restrictors since fewer and fewer of them have dealt extensively with old airplanes with gravity feed header tanks.  (Does any other plane have this arrangement besides Ercoupes?)

 _____________________

 

I bought my Coupe unflown, too.  Mine was also down for maintenance when I bought it.

 

Every printed word published in book or magazine about Fred Weick or Coupes from 193x to present was my Coupe flying education. I did NOT regret it.  I loved that plane.  ( For my one complication, see http://ercoupe.org/Fly-in%20Reports/Gas-line-ice.htm )

 

Ed Burkhead

http://edburkhead.com

ed -at- edburkhead???.com          (change -at- to @ and remove "???")

 

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From: Charles Waldo [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 8:59 PM
To: Ercoupe Tech
Subject: [COUPERS-TECH] 46Coupe

 

 
----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----
 
 

Guys
 
 Just flew my new 46C coupe for the first time today. Yes I bought it without flying it, but it was out of annual and I wanted to go though it with a fine tooth comb before flying it. Anyhow it was fun but I had a couple of questions for you folks.
 
1)     It seems that my coupe has a positive ground! Im a EE and did not believe my A&P when he told me. So I grabbed the multi meter and sure enough it has a positive ground. I went through the manuals and they all specify a negative ground. Any thoughts? The engine came from a Cessna 140, could that have something to do with it? I have no avionics yet (Just my portable comm)the starter works correctly..
2)     I have been monitoring this group for about 5 months, and I have a problem that I think was mentioned beforeduring steep climb takeoffs fuel leaks out of the center tank, once in level flight, shallow climbs or decending flight  no problems .. sometimes during taxiing fuel will leak out the center tank.I checked the plumbing, everything is as in the manualsIm 99% sure the plumbing is correct.Im thinking a pressure problem with the wing tanks.possible something plugged up.but thats just a guess
 
Thanks in advance....
 
Chuck
 
PS: I sent in a check 3 weeks ago to join the club, just waiting for a password so I can get into the members section.........maybe I can find the info in there and won't need to bug you guys so much......
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