I just completed the DA42/62 maintenance course and one tidbit I learned is that one can do the ECU test with a minimum oil temp of 35 C. It is in the maintenance manual.
The AFM is not clear about this and implies that one should wait until 50 C. Being able to do the run-up at 35 C will save some unnecessary ground time.
ECU Test (Ground Run-up)
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- Ed McDonald
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Re: ECU Test (Ground Run-up)
Where do you see this? I see the E4 Operating Manual and the E4 Overhaul Manual agreeing that runups should be done at or above 50°C.
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Re: ECU Test (Ground Run-up)
I think the proof would be in the run-up. My memory is that others who have tried a run-up with the gauges still in the yellow have been greeted with an ECU Failed.
Please let us know if you are able to pass the ECU test when the oil is in the yellow.
Please let us know if you are able to pass the ECU test when the oil is in the yellow.
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Re: ECU Test (Ground Run-up)
The ECU test doesn‘t even start as long as oil and gear temperature are in the yellow range. The checklist says that both temperatures must be in the green range and gearbox temperature should be 38° Celsius min.
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Re: ECU Test (Ground Run-up)
I was also in the maintenance class and had questions about this. The POH just says all temps have to be in the green. I was under the impression that if you pressed the run-up buttons before the temps were all in the green the computer would not allow the test to begin.
Yesterday I tested this by pressing the buttons with the oil temp still in the yellow, slightly low at 47C. The self test proceeded normally. I didn't try it any lower for fear of hurting something or having a dreaded ECU fail but there were none. So the oil temp does not have to be in the green. Try it at lower oil temps and report back.
The POH also says no full power runs until the oil temp is 60C so you should wait for that anyway before takeoff.
Perhaps the he was talking about gearbox temp instead, >35C would be the right number for that.
Also on the subject of temperatures, he said the glow plug activation will not enunciate above 20C. Here in Florida the panel regularly shows the glow plug active above that. Yesterday the engine temp before start up was 24C and the glow plug enunciation came on for both engines.
Maybe it is airframe or software version specific. Some of the information in the course was pretty old.
Maybe these temps are more like guidelines.
Yesterday I tested this by pressing the buttons with the oil temp still in the yellow, slightly low at 47C. The self test proceeded normally. I didn't try it any lower for fear of hurting something or having a dreaded ECU fail but there were none. So the oil temp does not have to be in the green. Try it at lower oil temps and report back.
The POH also says no full power runs until the oil temp is 60C so you should wait for that anyway before takeoff.
Perhaps the he was talking about gearbox temp instead, >35C would be the right number for that.
Also on the subject of temperatures, he said the glow plug activation will not enunciate above 20C. Here in Florida the panel regularly shows the glow plug active above that. Yesterday the engine temp before start up was 24C and the glow plug enunciation came on for both engines.
Maybe it is airframe or software version specific. Some of the information in the course was pretty old.
Maybe these temps are more like guidelines.
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- Boatguy
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Re: ECU Test (Ground Run-up)
My DA40NG, hangared in Northern California (KSTS), rarely lights up the glow plug. I takes a very cold morning and early departure.Soareyes wrote: ↑Sun Oct 02, 2022 10:22 am Also on the subject of temperatures, he said the glow plug activation will not enunciate above 20C. Here in Florida the panel regularly shows the glow plug active above that. Yesterday the engine temp before start up was 24C and the glow plug enunciation came on for both engines.
But in a DA62 in Long Beach where the temperature range is only 65˚-85˚F, the glow plugs were lit up every morning. Obviously a difference in how the two engines are programmed.