How are you monitoring your Viking? - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-29T12:38:43Zhttps://zenith.aero/forum/topics/how-are-you-monitoring-your-viking?feed=yes&xn_auth=noReplying to Ken Ryan - having…tag:zenith.aero,2020-12-25:2606393:Comment:7956912020-12-25T15:21:21.365ZPhil Cookhttps://zenith.aero/profile/PhilipCook
<p>Replying to Ken Ryan - having the alternator off is a best practice prior to and when starting ALL aircraft, whether they be Lycoming, Continental, Rotax, or Viking powered. The alternator draws quite a bit of current which does nothing but drains the battery prior to start and detracts from the power available to start the engine, plus as the engine starts the alternator may try to come online and generate power even before the engine starts, causing a greater load, and sometimes causing…</p>
<p>Replying to Ken Ryan - having the alternator off is a best practice prior to and when starting ALL aircraft, whether they be Lycoming, Continental, Rotax, or Viking powered. The alternator draws quite a bit of current which does nothing but drains the battery prior to start and detracts from the power available to start the engine, plus as the engine starts the alternator may try to come online and generate power even before the engine starts, causing a greater load, and sometimes causing spikes. I own a flight school and push the practice of starting the engines with the alternator off.</p> I'm confused. Why is it neces…tag:zenith.aero,2020-12-25:2606393:Comment:7955912020-12-25T00:45:01.908ZKen Ryanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/KenRyan
<p>I'm confused. Why is it necessary to turn the alternator off when starting the Viking engine?</p>
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<p>I'm confused. Why is it necessary to turn the alternator off when starting the Viking engine?</p>
<p></p> I didnt leave the alternator…tag:zenith.aero,2020-12-24:2606393:Comment:7955862020-12-24T23:31:53.881ZBrad Paynehttps://zenith.aero/profile/BradPayne
<p>I didnt leave the alternator off at first and I had a hard time staring and running rough for a few minuites when it's cold. Jan suggested leaving the Alternator off till it warms up and it helps quite a bit.</p>
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<p>I turn on the avionics master after start and then once I get to the run up area, turn off Avionics Master, Enable Alternator, and turn Avionics Master back on. It's worth it to me just to make sure I dont damage the $5k of avionics.</p>
<p>I didnt leave the alternator off at first and I had a hard time staring and running rough for a few minuites when it's cold. Jan suggested leaving the Alternator off till it warms up and it helps quite a bit.</p>
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<p>I turn on the avionics master after start and then once I get to the run up area, turn off Avionics Master, Enable Alternator, and turn Avionics Master back on. It's worth it to me just to make sure I dont damage the $5k of avionics.</p> I'm not sure what's currently…tag:zenith.aero,2020-12-24:2606393:Comment:7954782020-12-24T23:31:45.800ZLoren Warnerhttps://zenith.aero/profile/LorenWarner
<p>I'm not sure what's currently being put out on the 90, but on our 130, the idea is to only keep the alternator off during initial start, to allow for an easier start, and then turn it back on within a few seconds. Don't wait to taxi to turn the alternator back on as you'll want to ensure the battery(s) charging right away. </p>
<p>I'm not sure what's currently being put out on the 90, but on our 130, the idea is to only keep the alternator off during initial start, to allow for an easier start, and then turn it back on within a few seconds. Don't wait to taxi to turn the alternator back on as you'll want to ensure the battery(s) charging right away. </p> Oh, I didn't realize that was…tag:zenith.aero,2020-12-24:2606393:Comment:7953232020-12-24T21:38:25.169ZPhil Cookhttps://zenith.aero/profile/PhilipCook
<p>Oh, I didn't realize that was the practice on the 90. Do keep the avionics off while taxiing, or do you turn them back off and then on again after switching the alternator on, or do you not worry about it and just turn on the alternator on with the avionics on? </p>
<p>Oh, I didn't realize that was the practice on the 90. Do keep the avionics off while taxiing, or do you turn them back off and then on again after switching the alternator on, or do you not worry about it and just turn on the alternator on with the avionics on? </p> That is a briliant idea! Unf…tag:zenith.aero,2020-12-24:2606393:Comment:7953892020-12-24T21:13:56.107ZBrad Paynehttps://zenith.aero/profile/BradPayne
<p>That is a briliant idea! Unfortunatly would not be quite accurate with the 90. You start it and taxi out with the alternator off as it warms up. I would probably lose .05 or .1 hr every flight if I tied the HOBBS to the Alternator. Great idea though if you run your alternator 100% of the time. I ended up installing an oil pressure switch. I'm just shy of 60 hrs and so far, so good.</p>
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<p>That is a briliant idea! Unfortunatly would not be quite accurate with the 90. You start it and taxi out with the alternator off as it warms up. I would probably lose .05 or .1 hr every flight if I tied the HOBBS to the Alternator. Great idea though if you run your alternator 100% of the time. I ended up installing an oil pressure switch. I'm just shy of 60 hrs and so far, so good.</p>
<p></p> I bought a small, inexpensive…tag:zenith.aero,2020-12-24:2606393:Comment:7951432020-12-24T13:44:54.355ZPhil Cookhttps://zenith.aero/profile/PhilipCook
<p>I bought a small, inexpensive hour meter from Amazon and tied it to the alternator power. That achieves the same functionality as tying to an oil pressure switch but is far simpler to install. I wasn't able to imagine any sort of common scenario where I'd want the hour meter to run but not have the alternator on.</p>
<p>I bought a small, inexpensive hour meter from Amazon and tied it to the alternator power. That achieves the same functionality as tying to an oil pressure switch but is far simpler to install. I wasn't able to imagine any sort of common scenario where I'd want the hour meter to run but not have the alternator on.</p> I am going to use this Polar…tag:zenith.aero,2020-11-11:2606393:Comment:7699992020-11-11T23:37:55.984ZGino Shtirlitshttps://zenith.aero/profile/EugeneShtirlits
<p>I am going to use this Polar Lights EMU. It indicates 9 parameters and 6 alarm on-screen notifications. </p>
<p>I am going to use this Polar Lights EMU. It indicates 9 parameters and 6 alarm on-screen notifications. </p> Thanks everyone for your repl…tag:zenith.aero,2019-05-25:2606393:Comment:6781112019-05-25T01:54:42.874ZBrad Paynehttps://zenith.aero/profile/BradPayne
<p>Thanks everyone for your replies. I decided to go with the Viking View. The price was right and it's plug in and go.</p>
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<p>Thanks,</p>
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<p>Brad</p>
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<p>Thanks everyone for your replies. I decided to go with the Viking View. The price was right and it's plug in and go.</p>
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<p>Thanks,</p>
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<p>Brad</p>
<p></p> I have a Dynon HDX and have a…tag:zenith.aero,2019-05-24:2606393:Comment:6779042019-05-24T16:27:23.823ZJonathan Fayhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JonathanFay
<p>I have a Dynon HDX and have a EMS module that I needed for inputs for the flaps and trim and such anyway, so I used it to do all the engine and fuel monitoring as well. </p>
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<p>If I was using steam gauges I would have used the Viking view.</p>
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<p>I have a Dynon HDX and have a EMS module that I needed for inputs for the flaps and trim and such anyway, so I used it to do all the engine and fuel monitoring as well. </p>
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<p>If I was using steam gauges I would have used the Viking view.</p>
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