Engines
B100i Throttle Linkage - Inspection and Update Procedures
There are two types of throttle linkages currently installed on the various flavors of B100i engines deployed to customers. Due to a recent servo linkage failure related to the original (old-style) version of that linkage, Power4Flight recommends that any engine with the old-style linkage be identified, inspected and grounded. All engines with the current version of the linkage be inspected before returning to flight.
Action Required: Customers are advised to make the inspections outlined in the Inspection and Update Procedures Document on their entire fleet of B100i engines – installed on vehicles as well as any spares – and identify which linkage configuration you have installed on each engine. If you have an old-style linkage installed, we recommend that you contact Power4Flight so we can get you a replacement linkage assembly.
CE1381 Corvid-50 Reed Mount Revision C
This component has undergone a revision and will now be made from aluminum.
While endurance testing of this engine did not uncover any issues, there have been customer reports of some oil leakage from the bottom of the flange securing this part to the crank case.
Action Required: No action if no evidence of leaking.
CE1203 Fuel Filter 40 Micron Revision B
Recent changes to the supplier specification of this filter require a revision to the product designation, and this bulletin advises of this change and the differences in the revised component.
Action Required: No action required by existing customers. Future supply as of 1st January 2021 will be the Revision B CE1203B component.
Engine Control
Currawong ECU Product AnnouncementIntroduced in 2008, Currawong Engineering have worked with Autronic to supply an aerospace grade product to what was, at the time, a fledgling industry, and have continued support for this product for 13 years.
Continued pressure on the global supply chain, and major disruption of electronics manufacture in 2020-2021 has lead to persistent shortages of components for this product. Costs and lead times have been subject to unpredictable increases, but have been absorbed up until now. To continue to support both established and new customers, Currawong Engineering will be moving to a new ECU platform. There will be a limited quantity of CE367B ECU units available as we move through this transition process.
Accessories
CE1000 250W Power Supply Safe Operating Area
Although the 250W PMU is capable of generating 250W of output power across a wide range of input voltages, caution must be exercised when operating from low input voltages. The difficulty with low input voltages is that the 28V Buck-Boost converter in the PMU is maximally stressed and generates a significant amount of heat.
Action Required: The firmware in each power supply should be updated to version 1.16 using the “Configuration Utility” app available for download at https://millswoodeng.com.au/250w_pmu.html. Then refer to section 4.5 of the 250W PMU Manual to enable the “Manage safe operating area” feature.
