Failure to raise propeller/pylon/mast from engine bay; new problem, intermittent
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bucc...@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2024, 1:20:05 PM4/27/24
to Schempp-Hirth Arcus
We have had a recent problem with raising the propeller and pylon/mast assembly from the engine bay. This occurred after trailering the Arcus 1200 miles to a workshop for routine maintenance and change of propeller drive belts. Befor this, the raising and lowering of the propeller was without any problems. Upon arrival to the maintenance facility, the extraction of the pylon/mast/propeller would not work. When activating the toggle switch on the engine controller unit, audible clicks were noted as if an electric relay was occurring but no active mechanical raising of the propeller occurred.
The rear seat pan was removed and manual compression/movement of the relay terminals to the control boxes along the starboard side of the cockpit lower sidewall allowed the extraction of the propeller while a second person activated the override switch in the lower panel of the front seat.
This has occurred at the maintencance facility now on repeated occassions. A call to the S-H factory has been made. We continue to await a response.
In the meantime, may I ask if anyone has had such an experience. Does anyone have any thoughts as what could be the problem or further diagnostic testing to be performed?
I include two photographs of the area where manual pressure/movement of the cable near the terminal has allowed the extraction to proceed. There is a yellow arrow placed to the area for your attention. This has only been intermittent in terms of success. It may be that the manual movement of cable/ terminal to the control box may be coincidental and that the problem is the engine control unit itself or elsewhere.
I had a similar problem when I first received a factory new Ventus2cxm. I trailered it from Baltimore to Grand Rapids MI. On initial activation of the toggle to raise the propeller for its maiden test run there was a failure. Although the propeller would raise to the upright position, the ignition would not activate at all. After months of back and forth with the factory, a technician was sent to investigate. Everything was exhaustively checked. The tech was at his wits end after a full day of testing. Finally, I suggested a new engine control unit. A friend with the same model of Ventus2cxm who lived nearby allowed us to use his Ilec engine control unit. Everything worked perfectly thereafter, and a new unit shipped from Europe. Possible vibration/jarring during overseas shipment had something to do with the failure.
Looking for any suggestions moving forward. Thank you !
The rear seat pan was removed and manual compression/movement of the relay terminals to the control boxes along the starboard side of the cockpit lower sidewall allowed the extraction of the propeller while a second person activated the override switch in the lower panel of the front seat.
This has occurred at the maintencance facility now on repeated occassions. A call to the S-H factory has been made. We continue to await a response.
In the meantime, may I ask if anyone has had such an experience. Does anyone have any thoughts as what could be the problem or further diagnostic testing to be performed?
I include two photographs of the area where manual pressure/movement of the cable near the terminal has allowed the extraction to proceed. There is a yellow arrow placed to the area for your attention. This has only been intermittent in terms of success. It may be that the manual movement of cable/ terminal to the control box may be coincidental and that the problem is the engine control unit itself or elsewhere.
I had a similar problem when I first received a factory new Ventus2cxm. I trailered it from Baltimore to Grand Rapids MI. On initial activation of the toggle to raise the propeller for its maiden test run there was a failure. Although the propeller would raise to the upright position, the ignition would not activate at all. After months of back and forth with the factory, a technician was sent to investigate. Everything was exhaustively checked. The tech was at his wits end after a full day of testing. Finally, I suggested a new engine control unit. A friend with the same model of Ventus2cxm who lived nearby allowed us to use his Ilec engine control unit. Everything worked perfectly thereafter, and a new unit shipped from Europe. Possible vibration/jarring during overseas shipment had something to do with the failure.
Looking for any suggestions moving forward. Thank you !
bucc...@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2024, 1:34:10 PM4/27/24
to Schempp-Hirth Arcus
I should have added that the serial number of the Arcus is 137. The date of manufacture certification is April 2016. Engine time is 17 hours.
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