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Bob's Searey LSX Web Site
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Date: 10-30-2021
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Number of Hours: 12.00
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Manual Reference: *Chapter 66
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Brief Description: Carb heat install
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Canadian Aviation Requirements (CARs) state that some form of carburetor heating is required to prevent icing in the carburetor, causing restrictions on fuel flow to the engine, under certain weather conditions and power settings. I don't believe carb heat is required in the US but Progressive Aerodyne did offer an optional carb heater that is covered in Chapter 66. This type of heater, that used the engine coolant loop to heat the air between the carb and the intake manifold, is no longer available from the English supplier. At least that was the situation when I looked for carb heaters for my engine in 2021.
What I found was an electric carb heater from Light Engine Services in Salmon Arm, BC. This uses a small electric probe installed into each of the two carb bodies. With a spare off/on button already in my dashboard, a spare breaker in my PowerBus, and a unused wire in my wiring harness (for an optional fuel flow sensor) I was all set.
The kit came with a 17/64" drill and a tap and good instructions on how to install the probe and to wire it in. It took me four sessions to take off the carbs, install the probes, re-intall the carbs, and then connect the ground wires and then the power wires to the switch and bus, concluding with a test start.
Unfortunately, the engine refused to idle at less than 3,000 rpm (should be 1,800). Suggestions I have received include checking excess air to the engine (loose connection between carb & intake manifold or air by-passing probe threads) and checking the carbs inside for metal shavings.
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Tapping carb body
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Probe installed & wired
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8 amps showing on Dynon
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