Older payware aircraft that had no starter or fuel switch; loaded with engine running, if it died just use CNTRL+E to restart. I added a fuel cock and starter switch but cannot start engine manually, it will spin up to nearly 1000rpm but never start. Hit CNTRL+E, with magento and fuel in any position, and engine will spin up to 600-800rpm, sputter a couple of times, blow a puff of smoke, and be running in five seconds. Can kill the engine with either turning off magneto or shutting off fuel cock, so both are functioning. What have I overlooked.
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Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.
Starter not working
- Thread starter jgf
- Start date
No battery, so magneto should be providing the spark, whether from CNTRL+E or starter switch. (Though the cfg file shows a 12V 40A electrical circuit, I guess that's default to all aircraft.)
I did try adding a master switch and a panel light, both worked but had no effect on starting (removed both, 90% of the time panels are clearly visible at night without lighting).
I did try adding a master switch and a panel light, both worked but had no effect on starting (removed both, 90% of the time panels are clearly visible at night without lighting).
Many early aircraft have no electrical system. The Wright Flyer for instance -
[electrical]
max_battery_voltage = 0
generator_alternator_voltage = 0
Magnetos are like a combination generator/distributor, once turning they create their own electricity. Hence their use on many racing cars, where saving weight is also a premium, no need for a battery, generator, and starter. It's only when you start adding lights, radios, electrical gauges, etc. that a full system is necessary.
But in my case the aircraft never had a fuel switch, starter switch, battery switch, etc. but runs fine, and will start from CNTRL+E when needed (engine often dies if throttled back completely, I've tried fixing that also, no luck yet). But it will not start with a starter switch, yet turning off the fuel switch will kill it (so apparently it doesn't need the fuel switch but it works if installed). I still enjoy flying the plane "as-is", but I want to learn why the starter isn't firing it up.
[electrical]
max_battery_voltage = 0
generator_alternator_voltage = 0
Magnetos are like a combination generator/distributor, once turning they create their own electricity. Hence their use on many racing cars, where saving weight is also a premium, no need for a battery, generator, and starter. It's only when you start adding lights, radios, electrical gauges, etc. that a full system is necessary.
But in my case the aircraft never had a fuel switch, starter switch, battery switch, etc. but runs fine, and will start from CNTRL+E when needed (engine often dies if throttled back completely, I've tried fixing that also, no luck yet). But it will not start with a starter switch, yet turning off the fuel switch will kill it (so apparently it doesn't need the fuel switch but it works if installed). I still enjoy flying the plane "as-is", but I want to learn why the starter isn't firing it up.
One other thing, the default flight saved in FSX. The default flight needs to be the Cessna 172 and it must be saved with the ignition switch set to "both" magnetos and the fuel selector set to "both" tanks. This does not affect all add-on aircraft, but with some, not having the default flight set to the default setting that came with FSX, the result can be an engine(s) that act as if they are fuel starved or have an ignition failure.
I could say, "does it matter? they all work under the same programming". I now have two aircraft with this idiocy, and apparently it is an issue that's plagued FS2004 at least 20 years ...I've found threads that old complaining of it ...with no "one size fits all" solution.
The Travelair 4000 comes with full electrical system, and the default instructions for starting - master switch on, fuel valve open, magneto to "both", hit the starter, engine turns a few seconds and fires up. Or you can leave all switches and valves off, hit CNTRL+E, and all switches pop to their proper positions and the engine starts.
The SimTech Dr1 has no default electrical system, just hit CNTRL+E when necessary (if the throttle is below around 50% there's a chance of the engine stalling ...most landings involve killing the engine once over the runway and gliding down). I added a master switch, starter, and fuel valve (there's a magneto in the VC).
I cannot manually start either plane - all switches/valves properly set, hit the starter and rrrr-rrrr-rrrr-rrrr (doubly annoying in the DR1 since it has no brakes, the prop spinning at starting speed is enough to get it rolling around the runway). On the other hand, either will start almost instantly from CNTRL+E. The system is recognizing the controls since the switches in both planes will go to their proper positions during a CNTRL+E start, and closing the fuel valves will kill the engines. As someone in one of those old posts pointed out, CNTRL+E must be doing something besides just operating the switches and valves ...but what?
The Travelair 4000 comes with full electrical system, and the default instructions for starting - master switch on, fuel valve open, magneto to "both", hit the starter, engine turns a few seconds and fires up. Or you can leave all switches and valves off, hit CNTRL+E, and all switches pop to their proper positions and the engine starts.
The SimTech Dr1 has no default electrical system, just hit CNTRL+E when necessary (if the throttle is below around 50% there's a chance of the engine stalling ...most landings involve killing the engine once over the runway and gliding down). I added a master switch, starter, and fuel valve (there's a magneto in the VC).
I cannot manually start either plane - all switches/valves properly set, hit the starter and rrrr-rrrr-rrrr-rrrr (doubly annoying in the DR1 since it has no brakes, the prop spinning at starting speed is enough to get it rolling around the runway). On the other hand, either will start almost instantly from CNTRL+E. The system is recognizing the controls since the switches in both planes will go to their proper positions during a CNTRL+E start, and closing the fuel valves will kill the engines. As someone in one of those old posts pointed out, CNTRL+E must be doing something besides just operating the switches and valves ...but what?
Not sure that the problem is the same than in CFS2, in Combat Flight Simulator 2, to start cold the engine with starter and mag, the option "automixture" has to be activated in the air file, if the plane doesn't have any mixture lever ( in record 505 "engine CFS + piston engine" )
Cheers
Martin
Cheers
Martin
The DR1 doesn't have a mixture control so I checked the cfg file (its location in FS2004) - "fuel_air_auto_mixture=1"; this would be realistic since few WWI era aircraft had mixture controls (they barely had throttles, the DR1 was flown by blipping the engine off and on as needed).
The Travelair has a mixture control, but you typically leave this full rich anywhere below about 3000ft.
The Travelair has a mixture control, but you typically leave this full rich anywhere below about 3000ft.