IOF 240 Engine-Would it run if the batteries fail?

Liberty XL2 has the Continetal IOF 240 with FADEC. Would the engine run if
the batteries failed? It does not have a magneto. Would the ignition system
run off of the alternator? The salesman at Sun-n-fun had no clue. Does
anyone know?

Liberty XL2 has the Continetal IOF 240 with FADEC. Would the engine run if
the batteries failed? It does not have a magneto. Would the ignition system
run off of the alternator? The salesman at Sun-n-fun had no clue. Does
anyone know?

I would think that it would run for a little while but an alternator needs a
source of electricity for the field and this comes from the battery. There
must be some sort of redundancy in the ignition system. I would think there is
a second smaller battery intended to allow the system to run in the event of a
main battery failure. Can't see it being certified otherwise.

On Fri, 7 May 2004 21:58:59 -0400, "Piperflyer"
wrote:

Liberty XL2 has the Continetal IOF 240 with FADEC. Would the engine run if
the batteries failed? It does not have a magneto. Would the ignition system
run off of the alternator? The salesman at Sun-n-fun had no clue. Does
anyone know?

FADEC and LASAR systems have small computers that control the timing
and in the case of FADEC, mixture. These computers must have a source
of voltage to run.

Having said that, I know the mags in the LASAR system can fall back
and run like a standard magneto if the LASAR system goes down. This
allows the plane to complete the flight after an electrical failure.

Not sure about the FADEC, but I have a hard time believing the FAA
would certify an engine that fails b/c of an electrical failure. At a
minimum, I expect that FADEC engines would require a backup battery
system to run the FADEC. I searched the Continental website and found
the following, article, which indicates a FADEC system ran for 'two
hours after primary power failure'. The article leaves out a lot of
details, like how the two hours of flight were achieved (ie secondary
battery system, or mag-like fallback).

http://www.tcmlink.com/pressreleases/august191999.html

-Nathan

"Piperflyer" wrote in message
...
Liberty XL2 has the Continetal IOF 240 with FADEC. Would the engine run if
the batteries failed? It does not have a magneto. Would the ignition
system
run off of the alternator? The salesman at Sun-n-fun had no clue. Does
anyone know?



Are you sure there is no magneto? The LASAR has the mags. If my LASAR
fails, they just keep going. The pilot gets an ignition warning light, and
the RPM's drop a little, but it keeps going just fine.

When I went to A&P school, I remember that the L-1011 had partially
electronic engines (the R-R RB211): they were mechanical up to 92% or
so power and fuel flow was modulated from there. In the event of total
electrical or ECU failure you had power fully throttleable from idle
to approximately 92%. My father was an L-1011 F/E and F/O and he says
that's as he remembers it, but he no longer has manuals. We were
taught that FADEC engines-turbines, that is- had redundant computers
but in case of total electrical failure the engine would stay at its
last power setting but with changes in altitude or airspeed you would
get power changes because fuel flow would be constant. Your only
option would be to shut off fuel flow by a manually actuated valve, if
there was one.

It would be very easy, in the case of recips, to just use the EEC to
trim the existing ignition and fuel injection systems instead of going
to full electronic option. I don't know why that option isn't pursued,
or the replacement of _one_ magneto with an electronic system. Common
sense, it would seem.

I do think single pilot IFR with passengers should require single
lever power control. I've thought that for twenty years. Otherwise,
make 'em carry a rated pilot or a Piston F/E in the right seat. (I got
my 727 F/E rating before my private ticket-privilege of being an
A&P-did little good though, but used up my GI Bill benefits in a fun
way.)

The salesman did tell me that the engine does not have magnetos.

"Dude" wrote in message
...

"Piperflyer" wrote in message
...
Liberty XL2 has the Continetal IOF 240 with FADEC. Would the engine run
if
the batteries failed? It does not have a magneto. Would the ignition
system
run off of the alternator? The salesman at Sun-n-fun had no clue. Does
anyone know?



Are you sure there is no magneto? The LASAR has the mags. If my LASAR
fails, they just keep going. The pilot gets an ignition warning light,
and
the RPM's drop a little, but it keeps going just fine.

There are two batteries, A and B. A preflight check of both batteries is
required. Battery A is the normal ship's battery and B is dedicated to
running only the FADEC in the case of alternator failure. The switchover is
automatic but can also be accomplished manually. Somewhere in my notes is an
indication of how long it will power the FADEC, but I can't seem to find it
just now.


"Piperflyer" wrote in message
...
Liberty XL2 has the Continetal IOF 240 with FADEC. Would the engine run if
the batteries failed? It does not have a magneto. Would the ignition
system
run off of the alternator? The salesman at Sun-n-fun had no clue. Does
anyone know?