CubCrafters Lycoming IO-360 (cc363i) erratic RPM and now running rough on R lightspeed ignition

[Neal]

Great info, I got my spark plugs directly from Cubcrafters, they were$13.36 a plug, so they are more expensive from Cubcrafters.

The problem here is you don't know where they got them from. They could have ordered from Amazon in bulk as well. Consider buying from an authorized distributor in the future just to be safe but I learned a bigger lesson of resistance testing new plugs before they go in your plane.

 

[Neal]

Yes. And in the YouTube video I watched yesterday he tipped off that Klaus (Light speed) makes the spark plug wires. We are supposed to change them every 500 hours. I'll email Klaus to see if he makes them for my plane and if so how much as I have a feeling it will be significantly cheaper than the $486 on the CubCrafters store.

I emailed Klaus to see if he makes them and the cost. I also added the parts required to make them myself to my Amazon cart, all MSD branded wire, 90 degree crimps, crimp tool, and doing it yourself would cost the same or more than just buying them pre-made. As it's not something we change often I don't see going down the DIY path but if my coil pack issue continues and my next step is replace some of the spark plug wires then it may be something I pursue to replace some, not all, of the wires, i.e. right ignition side only.

 

[Neal]

Did you get your spare coil pack from LightSpeed? Made the mistake buying the backup ignition battery from CC. Never again.

Wow!!! CubCrafters wants $91 for the PS-1221S battery?

Here is where I got mine in the past:

https://us.rs-online.com/product/power-sonic/ps-1221s/70115556/

https://www.batteryjunction.com/powersonic-ps-1221s-f1

Around $30 from the above. My condition inspection is approaching so time to order one. Will evaluate shipping cost from each and order now.

Bought from battery junction - $39 shipped.

I saw CC's EarthX pricing, seems about $200 more than buying direct from EarthX. Shop smart!!!

 

[Neal]

Klaus emailed me back today (Sunday) and told me that yes, they are the one's that make the spark plug wires for CubCrafters. So when the time comes you need any or all spark plug wires, reach out to Light speed directly.

 

[Cubonaut875]

Did you get your spare coil pack from LightSpeed? Made the mistake buying the backup ignition battery from CC. Never again.

Did you regret due to cost or quality?

 

[viator092]

@Neal Yup...you make that mistake once.

@Cubonaut875 ......Cost!!!

 

[Cubonaut875]

@Neal Yup...you make that mistake once.

@Cubonaut875 ......Cost!!!

Ha - I was 99.9% sure of that but I just had to check. I replaced my ignition back up battery at my last condition inspection, of course it should be replaced every inspection, from what I understand, and of course was not at my previous inspection at the authorized Cub Crafters repair facility. So I guess I'm even on overall cost of ignition batteries since I paid 100% more for the most recent replacement.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

You may need your transponder firmware updated. It's the one thing we can't do ourselves.

There is no restriction on updating the transponder firmware for experimental aircraft. You download the tool from Garmin, connect the PC to the wired USB connector, and load the firmware.

Transponder update and PC tool is listed with GDU software here -

Garmin: G3X(TM) for Experimental Aircraft Software Update Collection

G3X(TM) for Experimental Aircraft Updates & Downloads

www8.garmin.com

 

[Neal]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday.

 

[Neal]

I'm going to give this a try tonight, I have the 3.61 from the link you provided @Cactus Charlie. Confirm I plug into the USB type B that's like a dongle under the panel? Just want to make sure I'm clear on where to connect the USB to do this.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

Yes, the transponder has a pigtail terminated with a USB type B connector. Mine is under the right side of the panel.

I have not loaded software/firmware to my transponder. I only got as far as downloading, installing on my laptop, and getting familiar with it. The instructions look simple enough but make sure you keep power on the computer and the transponder until the load is complete.

 

[Neal]

I am seeing the same issue on the GNC 355. It seems to appear more often when there is no other traffic anywhere in range (Canada does not have ADS-B ground stations like the US so I get weather, notams, etc. via SirusXM). I wonder if there is a shielding issue on the Ethernet connection that makes it sensitive to electrical noise?


I have the GTX 45R and the firmware update is possible as the windows software to update it via USB (USB connector is under the panel just behind the USB power) is available on the Garmin site. I need to install a Windows VM on my MacBook Pro and see if the USB will connect.

I have not seen the issue with the ADS-B showing the message in yellow (NO ADS-B) or whatever it was since updating the firmware to the transponder and ADS-B. Maybe it fixed this issue. About to replace the coil packs again, but point is they are the same so maybe it wasn't the cause and the firmware was.