Cold Start Up Procedure - Winter
After a humbling altercation with a very experienced mechanic about what to expect from an aircraft battery during winter, I've decided to apply the following starting procedure on a light single (with a 60 Amps / 12 V Battery):
1. Complete Exterior Check with Master Switch Off, Magnetos Off, Disconnect GPS, All Electrical Equipment Off.
2. Pull Aircraft Outside
3. Manually Turn Propellor 6 rotations in the normal rotation direction
(i.e. to the right/clockwise from the pilot seat's point of view, to the left/counterclockwise when standing in front of the aircraft)
4. Master Switch On - check voltage - if above +11.0 V the battery should make the starting cycle (Alternator OFF : the alternator draws on the battery when the engine is not running)
5. Landing light on - count 5 seconds - check voltage: should be +0.2 V higher - Landing light off (electrolite fluid warms up enough to increase battery power more than it drains it)
6. Magnetos LEFT (because the left magneto drives the starting spark); Mixture Fully Rich, Throttle 1/4 inch Forward.
7. Fuel Pomp ON
8. Starter Engage
AFTER START
9. Magnetos BOTH
10. Alternator ON
11. Check Oil Pressure; Check Alternator Load Positive
12. Check Voltage : should be between 12 V and 13.5 V now.
13. Engage remaining electrical equipment as required; Check Alternator Load with each added item.
Any comments ?