Thom Riddle
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)
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 Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:14 am Post subject: carburetor ice and electric carb. heater |
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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
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