KA10-400576 - PowerUP Kelly Capacitor Assembly

KA10-400576 – PowerUP Kelly Capacitor Assembly

Available now on the Airparts.aero Marketplace.

Overview

The Kelly Aerospace KA10-400576 is an FAA-PMA approved capacitor assembly, engineered as a direct replacement for the Bendix P/N 10-400576. This is not a standard magneto condenser; it is a specialized, high-reliability capacitor designed specifically for use within a starting vibrator or "shower of sparks" ignition booster system. Its function is to work in concert with the vibrator's relay coil to create a pulsating DC current, which is then fed to the magneto's primary winding. This allows the magneto to produce a continuous stream of high-energy sparks for easy and reliable engine starting, even at slow cranking speeds.

Key Features

• Essential for "Shower of Sparks" System: The critical component in a starting vibrator that, along with the relay points, creates the oscillating electrical field necessary for the magneto to produce spark energy without the engine's breaker points opening and closing.
• High-Reliability Dielectric: Constructed with a high-quality dielectric material (typically oil-impregnated paper or a specialized film) that provides the required capacitance and voltage rating to handle the inductive kickback from the magneto's coil.
• Hermetically Sealed Construction: The capacitor is housed in a hermetically sealed metal can, protecting the internal components from moisture, vibration, and environmental contamination, ensuring a long and reliable service life.
• Direct PMA Replacement: A certified FAA-PMA direct replacement for Bendix P/N 10-400576, guaranteeing perfect form, fit, and electrical function within the specified Bendix starting vibrator units.
• Proven Performance: Manufactured by Kelly Aerospace Power Systems (now part of Hartzell Engine Tech), a trusted leader in PMA ignition and electrical components for general aviation.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: KA10-400576
• Manufacturer: Kelly Aerospace Power Systems (Hartzell Engine Tech)
• Component Type: Starting Vibrator Capacitor
• OEM Replacement for: Bendix P/N 10-400576
• Primary Application: Bendix "Shower of Sparks" Ignition Booster Systems
• Electrical Function: Works with a relay to create a pulsating DC input for a magneto coil.
• Certification: FAA-PMA

Aircraft Compatibility

The KA10-400576 is a component within the starting vibrator, which is used on many high-performance single and multi-engine aircraft equipped with Bendix magnetos. Its use is common on larger-bore Continental and Lycoming engines.

• Common Engine Platforms:
  • Continental: IO-520, TSIO-520, GTSIO-520
  • Lycoming: IO-540, TIO-540 (in certain aircraft installations)
• Common Aircraft Platforms:
  • Beechcraft: Bonanza, Baron
  • Cessna: 310, 340, 414, 421
  • Piper: Navajo, Chieftain

Applications

The KA10-400576 is a key component for ensuring reliable engine starts:

• Ignition Boosting: Essential for the function of the "shower of sparks" system, which provides a much hotter, longer-duration series of sparks compared to a standard impulse-coupled magneto. This is particularly beneficial for starting large, high-compression engines, especially when cold.
• System Overhaul: A mandatory replacement item during the overhaul or repair of a Bendix starting vibrator assembly to ensure continued reliability.

Why Choose KA10-400576?

An unreliable starting system can be a significant operational issue. The starting vibrator system is a robust and effective method for ensuring easy starts, and the KA10-400576 capacitor is at the heart of it. Using a high-quality, FAA-PMA certified capacitor from a trusted manufacturer like Kelly Aerospace ensures the component has the correct capacitance and voltage ratings to perform reliably. A failed capacitor can render the entire ignition boost system inoperative, leading to difficult or impossible engine starts.

Order Your KA10-400576 Capacitor Assembly Now

Ensure the reliability of your aircraft's ignition boost system with a high-quality, FAA-PMA certified component. Visit Airparts.aero to order your Kelly Aerospace KA10-400576 capacitor today.

The "shower of sparks" system is an elegant solution to the challenge of starting a large piston engine. A magneto's own breaker points are ineffective at the slow rotation of engine cranking. The starting vibrator bypasses this problem. When the start is engaged, battery power flows to the vibrator. Inside, a relay coil and the KA10-400576 capacitor form an oscillating circuit. The relay rapidly opens and closes, creating a pulsating DC current that mimics the action of the breaker points but at a much higher frequency. This pulsating current is fed to the magneto's coil, which transforms it into a continuous "shower" of high-voltage sparks delivered to the spark plugs. The KA10-400576 capacitor is critical for this oscillation; it absorbs the inductive kickback from the relay coil, causing the magnetic field to collapse and the relay points to open, which starts the cycle over again many times per second.

Note: This is a critical ignition system component. Installation and testing must be performed by a certified A&P mechanic or at a qualified avionics/instrument repair station in accordance with the applicable maintenance manuals.