Magnetos
Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 3:28 pm
Just a little update on N7WE. I had a pretty sizable mag drop on the right mag. New plugs and a check of the harness(it was good) yielded nothing so I removed the right mag. This helicopter has got to be the hardest machine to work on ever built. It's almost like they designed it for a one time use lol. Working thru that small hole is just nearly impossible. But not quite-it can be done but just barely. Anyway after removing the mag I replaced the distributor block, points, and condenser, set them to open precisely at the egap and then tried to reinstall it. Could not be done! Just not enough "throw" in the bendix mags(they have a slot instead of a clamp that limits their adjustability). Everytime you got it in there it wouldn't time to the engine. Finally had to remove the main gear and rotate it 180 degrees. It has an odd number of teeth and that gives you a half tooth different orientation and that was what it took to do it! It went on and timed right up with the engine set to 25 degrees BTDC. Other problem was on removal the mag cap was frozen to the mag and wouldn't release. It had to be forced apart and that ruined the ends. Had to put all new ends on the harness cap(removed two sparkplug wires and fished it out the side where we cut it off). Then we replaced two wires on the bench and the other two standing beside the helicopter then fished it back in place. Also adjusted the left magneto to specs and checked the angle on the retard points(25 degrees after the main points open)-it was right on but the main mag points opened several degrees retarded(engine firing at about 20 degrees I'd estimate). Anyway got everything back together and just have to run it next monday to see if I did any good. Man that Robinson is looking better all the time 
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