Cold start kit

[oynif]

Have any of you installed the jabiru Cold start kit , or the Rotec Electronic ignition on a Jab 2200.?

If so what is the verdict ?

Kurt Nielsen

[hickej]

I installed the cold start kit on my Jab3300 today. The kit consists of a new coil that has been wrapped with extra windings that are fired by an electronics unit powered by the battery and triggered by a Hall effect sensor. The electronics are activated by the starter switch and are not used during flight. This setup gives a strong spark during starting without requiring high RPM to trigger the mags.

The installation was relatively simple but I ran into a fit problem that I had to work around. They give you extra fibre washers and tell you to put two on to move the coil further away from the flywheel gear teeth. The extra wrapping around the coil puts it pretty close to the flywheel without the extra washer. On my installation the extra washer caused a fit problem on the other side of the coil with the included Hall effect sensor. It ended up rubbing against the coil attachment bolt. I got out the grinder and made quick work of the offending metal.

The first time I started the engine it startled me with how quickly it kicked over. I don't think the propeller moved more than a quarter turn before it fired up. I'll file a follow up report in the next few months to let you know if I think this upgrade is worth the effort and expense. So far, it's looking pretty good!

Jim Hicke
Waiex TD 3300

[hickej]

I have enough experience with the Jabiru cold start kit to recommend it at a good upgrade. I have had several winter flights with a 40 degree cold-soaked engine and the engine started right up each time. During one of the starts my battery voltage was at 11.9, which is pretty far run-down for me, and it started right up. Last winter I had lots of frustrating hard starting days without the cold-start kit. Much below 40 and you should pre-heat, so my experience is that this a great upgrade if you're having any starting issues with the Jab.

...now if I could just get more heat out of my heat muffs...

Jim
Waiex 3300 TD

[Afsbz]

Jim, I am strongly considering installing this kit on my 3300 as well. I live in the Milwaukee area and needless to say, we a lot of cold weather. Has your experience continued to be positive? Any additional information you are willing to share would be appreciated.

[DCASonex]

If you have not already done so, try installing a set of Iridium plugs. Even one plug per cylinder will help. These can be found online for about $7 per plug. Have had no problems starting mine with these, but it does live in a partially heated hangar.

David A.

[hickej]

Yes, I continue to be happy that I installed the cold start kit. One thing I discovered at annual time however is that you need to remove the Hall effect sensor to adjust the coil gap. No big deal but worth noting.

Jim Hicke

[sonex1284]

Jim,
I have a couple of questions about this: Is the Jabiru cold-start kit the same as the Rotec cold-start kit? Do you happen to know the amps the cold start kit pulls; before startup (just sitting there with the ignition on) and at cruise? At what amperage did you fuse the ignition power wire? Did you need to beef up your wiring at all?

[hickej]

Sorry it took so long to reply. The Jabiru cold-start kit is only active during starting. It is not active after you start the engine. After start, it is a standard Jabiru dual coil system. The power comes from the starter solenoid and is only active when the starter motor is turning. The wires are included with the kit. I just had to crimp the correct terminal to piggy back onto the starter solenoid.

[fastj22]

I guess its how you wire it. I purchased the system at Airventure and have yet to receive or install it. But i plan on installing it to be active when I switch it on, and not just while starting. So, master on, the system is energized. and will continue to provide spark until I either turn it off or turn the master off.