X-Virus-Scanned: clean according to Sophos on Logan.com X-SpamCatcher-Score: 1 [X] Return-Path: Received: from [68.202.132.19] (account marv@lancaironline.net) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro WEBUSER 5.1.6) with HTTP id 1830218 for lml@lancaironline.net; Sun, 11 Feb 2007 09:55:27 -0500 From: "Marvin Kaye" Subject: Re: Flap actuator issues To: lml X-Mailer: CommuniGate Pro WebUser v5.1.6 Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 09:55:27 -0500 Message-ID: In-Reply-To: References: X-Priority: 3 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain;charset="iso-8859-1";format="flowed" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Posted for "Jim Scales" : My ES has a little over 800 hours on it. In that time I have had three instances of being unable to retract the flaps from full extension. In each instance I was able to unhook the motor from the flaps and get it to run. In each instance I found that the motor had pulled the actuator rod past the full extension limit switch until it jammed inside the rod's housing and popped the circuit breaker. When I pulled the pin out of the rod end the rod was very tight inside the housing. When I slightly rotated the rod it got free and the motor would run and move the actuator rod. Each time that I have experienced this problem I have replaced the limit switch with a new one. I even carry spares along with the tools it takes to get to the assembly in case I have the problem away from home (which has been the case two of the three times it has happened). I would appreciate some input from those who may have experienced this situation. My flap motor assembly is as shipped from Lancair in 1995. Do I need to update the assembly? Do I need to go to a different limit switch design? Could there be dirt or something keeping the switch from operating properly? I must confess that I am not entirely clear how the darn things (limit switches) actually work, but that's another story. I am at a loss. I know that, even though I know what the problem is when it happens, and how to fix it, it is embarrassing when I have passengers who have to watch me tear the back seat out to get to the assembly. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Jim Scales Angels Playmate Super ES [Jim, it sounds like your flap actuator motor is coasting past the retract limit, allowing the operating rod to jam up in the housing . The circuitry that powers the flaps should include a method of shorting the motor leads together when the power to the actuator is removed. While the motor is spinning down unpowered it is acting as a generator and shorting its leads together places a huge load on it thereby acting as an electrical 'brake'. I thought that the wiring instructions in the build manual included that feature... I know it does on the flap motor for the LNC2. Of course, the problem could be purely mechanical, although this is the first thing I'd be looking at to get to the root of the problem. Just a thought. ]