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Hi Nicholas,
I think there may be another possibility for your Speed Brakes. Since you already have the Precise Flight brakes but the old version. And you do know that they now make them with the motors in each brake so it only requires you running the wire, not the cable? Maybe you can talk to them about updating your brakes to newer version? It would be worth the cost to not have the cable version, even though I don't know how much or if they can do it?
I have the later version and the extended range fuel wings. However, when the factory says they hold 110 gals. mind don't. I could only get 108 gals. in mine and have 104 gals. usable, determined by pumping each tank till no more came out and putting only 52 gals. back in. I'm told that most others do the same. If you leave out the Speed Brakes, such as with the Turbine, you gain about 2 or 2.5 gals. per side, I think.
My only complaint about the Newer electric Speed Brakes form Precise is that they have a timing circuit built into each motor that compares the opening speed or end stop. If they don't reach the open stop at the same time they slam closed. This hasn't happened in flight but will do it every time on the ground without the engine running. As it turns out at 12 volts or below they retract, but with 14.2 volts they work fine. I have complained to the factory about this and they have checked mine 3 times and they still do this. Therefore, if you loose an alternator in flight you may not be able to use you speed brakes to make that emergency decent or landing. I assured that these are the same brakes used on the Certified Mooney, Malibu, Lancair Columbia, etc. The old cable brakes use the cables and one motor to keep them in sync.
Also, I would Not use another Speed Brake that has "more for the money" or higher decent rate. I think the Precise has the correct amount of sink for the L4P. I can descend at 2,000 fpm without SB's and with them 4,000 fpm, or more. But the most important feature that I wouldn't want to loose is the ability to deploy them on short final or in the flare. I find that they work great at this and shortens up the landing roll a lot. Maybe 500 ft. Or it allows you to approach at 100 or more Kts. and still land normal. At approach speeds when deployed they have almost no effect on pitch. At 220 KIAS. you feel a noticeable pitch up and braking, enough to warn your passengers first.
Hope this helps,
Jim Hergert
N6XE, "An Sex Y" L4P
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