UL Power 350 in a Sonex
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 7:02 pm
by runbjo
Hello all. All though we’ve been building our Sonex since 2012, I am new to this forum.
Our Sonex project is a joint effort between four old friends. It is a standard gear, dual stick Sonex, and we are pretty determined to put a UL 350 up front. I must admit however, that finding a partner willing to help us fabricating a proper engine mount for this purpose is not easy. We are aware of the easy route of using a standard Jab2200 engine mount and put a UL260 on it, but we truly believe that the added power of the 350 is worth the effort.
We’ve been in contact with a lot of people within the Sonex and UL power community, but currently we are back to square one as far as getting any closer to having our engine mount fabricated.
Good ideas and any information is highly appreciated.
Kind regards Rune
www.flyfabrikken.com
Re: UL Power 350 in a Sonex
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 8:00 pm
by fastj22
Couldn’t you use a Jab3300 mount? It should be close to the same size.
Re: UL Power 350 in a Sonex
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 9:18 pm
by kmacht
Where are you located and do you already have a design for the mount that just needs to be fabricated or do you need help with the design too?
Keith
#554
Re: UL Power 350 in a Sonex
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 11:21 pm
by Bryan Cotton
Rune,
On the VAF forums there was a thread about a UL power mount designed and fabricated for an RV12. Different airplane, UL260 rather than 350, but maybe the company mentioned in the thread could help.
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/s … hp?t=82818
http://mccutcheonmetalfabricationaviati … vices.html
It may be a hassle for you as they are here in the states and not in Norway. They could start with a 3300 mount and modify for the 350.
If they had drawings for both engines, and placed the prop flange in the same place, it might work. Good luck!
Re: UL Power 350 in a Sonex
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 1:56 am
by Waiex 49
Too bad Sonex is so unaccepting of engines other than Aero Vee’s and Jabiru’s. The UL 350 looks to be a good candidate for powering the Sonex.
Zenith Aircraft worked with UL to develop firewall forward packages for Zenith models to be powered by the UL 350 engine:
http://www.zenithair.com/kit-data/zac-ulpower.html
You might want to contact Zenith. Perhaps they can direct you to someone who can make an engine mount for you.
Best of luck with your project. Keep us posted.
Don Bowen
Viking Waiex N49YX
Re: UL Power 350 in a Sonex
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 3:44 am
by sonex892.
runbjo wrote:We are aware of the easy route of using a standard Jab2200 engine mount and put a UL260 on it, but we truly believe that the added power of the 350 is worth the effort.
Rune
I just had a look at the mounting dimensions for the UL260 and UL350 in the installation manuals.
http://www.ulpower.com/sites/default/fi … manual.pdf
http://www.ulpower.com/sites/default/fi … manual.pdf
As far as the dimensions go, a Jabiru 2200 mount could be used for either the UL260 or the UL350. All mounting dimensions, including distance to propeller from mount and thrust line are the same on both these engines.
Is the 2200 mount strong enough for the extra power of the 350? I dont know. Jabiru engine mounts have been known to fail at and above the cluster on the lower engine mount. These failures may have only been on mounts made prior to a Service Bulletin where the tube size was increased.
Steve
Sonex 892
VH-ZSX 3300 Jabiru
Re: UL Power 350 in a Sonex
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 4:56 am
by mike20sm
http://kitplanes2.com/blog/2015/05/kaolin-aviation-to-offer-fwf-kits-for-ulpower/
I think I read in last month’s kit planes magazine that kaolin is looking to design the first FWF package for the Sonex.
Also look at this plane from France. http://sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=71&start=10&hilit=Ulpower+jean
Prop choice is a major concern when deviating from the normal Jab and Aerovee
http://sonexbuildersandpilotsfoundation.zenfolio.com/p698068276/h1620a7ef#h1620a7ef
Re: UL Power 350 in a Sonex
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 6:38 pm
by runbjo
Hello all, and thanks for your interest in this post.
We realize that deciding on a different engine than the standard option for our Sonex is proving to be a bit more of a challenge than we first anticipated. On the other hand, we’re not about to give up, and I suppose this is what being an experimenter is all about. We truly believe that the Sonex is a perfect match for the UL Power 350.
We have yet to exhaust all our options on the matter, and we’ll make sure to keep you all posted as the project progresses. Also check our website for updates.
A Merry Chistmas and a Happy New year to all Sonex builders and flyers out there 
Kind regards Rune
www.flyfabrikken.com
Re: UL Power 350 in a Sonex
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 8:19 pm
by jcfremy
mike20sm wrote:
Prop choice is a major concern when deviating from the normal Jab and Aerovee
http://sonexbuildersandpilotsfoundation.zenfolio.com/p698068276/h1620a7ef#h1620a7ef
Hello dear enthousiasts
I confirm that prop choice is an item, my third prop is a DUC Swirl2 that permits best take off, I have in mind to test a fourth one..
The project to install an ULPower 350 sounds very exciting , something like a rocket, impatient to see that
Merry Christmas and best regards
Jean Claude
Re: UL Power 350 in a Sonex
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 11:40 pm
by Bryan Cotton
Rune,
I like your website. Lots of good pictures!
Re: UL Power 350 in a Sonex
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 10:55 am
by runbjo
Hello all, and ref my recent post on the Sonex-UL Power 350 combo.
Unfortunately, our efforts on trying to have an engine mount built for us, got us nowhere. The only option we ended up with, had to be abandoned due to cost and time restaint. We live in Norway, and must add a small fortune in freight and VAT on anything we buy abroad.
For any of you guys still looking to install a UL Power 350, Steve at www.loreeair.com have quoted us for the job with fabrication of an engine mount. He will need an orginal mount available to have a good enough welding fixture built. They are located not far from Sacramento CA, and I suppose he will be interested in assisting any of you. For us, this is no longer an option.
We have now turned our focus on the Camit 3300 engine, and will most likely install one of those on our project. Advantage is that most of what we need can be had from Sonex.
Thank you all for your interest in our project, we’ll be updating our website as we prograss. Fell free to check it out.
Kind regards and blue skies
Rune
www.flyfabrikken.com