[size=2][font="Arial"][b]Today I attmepted the first cycle on my SWB Mamba. The set-up with the transmitter went picture-perfect. However, when it came time to start, it wouldn't spool up any higher than 14,000 rpm. It needs to get up to 36,000 and then ignite the propane. The prime went fine and I have a new bottle of propane. I could pump fuel through the pump and to the turbine (by-passed into an exterior tank for priming). I have good pressure on the propane and I could see activity in the line so I think boththe propane and fuel regulators are working. I have a UAT that appears to be working fine. The Rossi #8 plug has two coils pulled down and not touching and lights nice and bright when taken out of the turbine. All batteries (pump battery and external starter battery were cycle and charged this morning.

Any thoughts on why it won't start?

Thanks,

Larry Brannan

Sounds like the propane is to rich. 14,000 rpm seems OK for propane start. I would think that 36,000 rpm would be the engine running idle setting. Also, if the coils are hangin' out in the breeze, they may not get hot enough to ingnite the propane. Try just pulling three coils out just enough to clear the visual line of site from the plug base (looking from the side)and back off on the propane. Hope this helps.

good luck!
Kim Garner

Can you see what temp it is ?

Thought about it a little more and I thought I would just tell you what works for me on a manual air start. Adjust your plug coils to be just barely above the base. Then put the propane hose next to your ear and listen to when you fist hear the gas coming out and then just an eight of a turn more. Mark that position on your valve knob. Close the valve (only maybe a half turn. just enough to stop the flow) and re-connect the gas line to the engine. Spool the engine up with air (glow plug on) and then open the gas valve to the marked position. Then stop the air to the engine and allow it to spool down until you hear the gas ignite. Then immediatly restore the air supply to keep the rpm up untill the fuel pump starts. When the liquid fuel takes over stop the propane and then the air supply.
After you get the hang of it, you can do it easily.


Kim

Good point about the propane being too rich. In the SWB manual, they mention on hotter days you may have to slightly close the valve. I had it all the way open and we were in the sun and it was hot. My ignition temperatures never got above 20 degrees C. (I think).

I'm going to call SWB Monday and then attempt another start after that. Thanks for the tips!