This problem looks to me like the generator is on its way to die. Maybe something simple like worn brushes. Your battery might be charged intermittently. And your static in the radio comes from the weak battery. Have someone check the generator/regulator. Hartmut
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:29:59 -0600Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] Radio Problems End Trip to Wyoming You say it won't start. Do you crank and crank and the prop spins good for a while but it just won't start? If so the problem is probably mag related. If ignition system is breaking down will cause static. If the prop just doesn't turn (run down battery) it is alt-generator ( does the static sound like "wirling" sound and increase as you throttle up?). To check alternator-Generator. Check your battery voltage with a voltmeter (multimeter set for DC volts) between positive and negative posts before you start engine. Should be around 12 volts. Start engine and with RPM around 1800 check voltage again. Should show an increase, preferable at least 13.5 volts. Good luck,Bill To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:36:47 +0000Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Radio Problems End Trip to Wyoming I feel like "pig pen" (if I have the Peanuts' cartoon reference correct) as there seems to be a black cloud following me around. I thought I knew what my radio problems were, but apparently I don't. On my first long cross country to Jean, NV, I attributed severe static on my radio to a failing battery. That seemed logic since the Coupe had a dead battery the next day and I didn't seem to have the same radio problems on the way back. In retrospect, that logic seems pretty weak.I started my trip to Wyoming to visit my father for Thanksgiving on yesterday. Guess what? Dead battery again. I replaced the battery with a loaner that was charged and known to be good. The Coupe started now and I did some touch and go practice to see if the ship was ship shape. I push the start of the trip out by one day and spent the rest of the day relaxing with my wife.This moring I departed just under the clouds from Torrance. After clearing the morning coastal gloom, I climbed to 9,500 MSL for my first leg to Kingman, AZ. (Man it takes a long time to get to 9,500 feet!)Toward the last half of the trip I was noticing some static on the radio. I attributed to weak signals from distance airports on 122.8. But as I approached Kingman and started my chatter on the Unicom channel. It became apparent that everything was not right. The static was so bad that I could barely copy anyone's transmission. So I switched to my handheld radio, and it was no better. I warned Kingman traffic that I was having radio problems. When I entered the downwind, I was told that I was being heard loud and clear.After I landed (and stopped shaking), I powered down at the fuel pump. I turned the radio back on with the engine off and sure enough there was no static. The radio was loud and clear.So, here is my restated problem. On long flights, my radio reception becomes extremely staticy (is that a word?). At the being of flights and on short duration flights, everything is fine. I can only assume that static is being generated by the engine (I guess the alternator) or that some kind of static filter is failing when it heats up.Does any of this make sense?Oh by the way, my engine wouldn't start either. I guess I will be learning how to solo hand prop tomorrow morning.Stuck in Kingman...Frank NelsonN51DV - 415CTOA Proud to be a PC? Show the world. Download the “I’m a PC” Messenger themepack now. Download now. _________________________________________________________________ Access your email online and on the go with Windows Live Hotmail. http://windowslive.com/Explore/Hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_access_112008
