Gear Circuit Breaker Popped

tomcomet · #1 12-09-17, 06:00 PM

After my initial gear issues things cleared up for a couple of flights but today the problem came back. Today when I went to put the gear down I popped the breaker near what should have been the end of the gear down cycle (12-15 seconds in). Like the previous time I tried cycling the gear but this time I could not get a green light and was not able to reset the breaker right away in order to cycle UP even. Eventually I manually pumped the gear DOWN and got the green light and landed fine. When I look at the mirrors the gear appeared to be down and locked. To me it seems like the gear cycle may in fact be complete and perhaps one of the switches that tell the system that the gear is down and locked might not be functioning which would cause the motor to continue running, heat up and overload the circuit. This is my current best guess.

Obviously this little snag goes to the very top of my list of things to fix!

jhickam · #2 12-09-17, 11:23 PM

Could it be caused by low voltage in the system creating higher amp draw by the power pack ?

tomcomet · #3 12-10-17, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhickam

Could it be caused by low voltage in the system creating higher amp draw by the power pack ?

This is a good suggestion. We will look into it. She is going in to my AME tomorrow for a gear swing. Will keep you all posted...

tomcomet · #4 12-10-17, 09:58 PM

So, I have the baggage pod which I LOVE. My folding ladder and folding bike live in there 24/7 and it makes my travels so much easier and better while exploring distant lands. However, tomorrow I go in for my first ever gear swing (first since I bought her). I see the two jack points on the wings however the one behind the front wheel is inside the baggage pod. Hum... That can't be good.

hharney · #5 12-11-17, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomcomet

However, tomorrow I go in for my first ever gear swing (first since I bought her). I see the two jack points on the wings however the one behind the front wheel is inside the baggage pod. Hum... That can't be good.

The front gear point is not normally used for full lift of aircraft. It's more of a safety and allows you to just lift the nose if desired. Jacking the wings will cause the tail to go down and nose to go up so it should be fine. Check the service manual on jacking aircraft for sure

JamesC · #6 12-11-17, 10:36 AM

Except that if while the gear are swinging the aircraft comes off it’s wing points due to inadequate nose point support you will trash your wings, gear and belly, and someone might die…
My Skymaster pod had a door for the front jack point. I have also seen a Skymaster with a pod and no front pod door jacked by partially removing the wings and hoisting the aircraft using straps around the wing attachment points (the shop had an overhead hoist on rails). I have also seen it done using the usual wing points and for the front of the aircraft a strap from a hoist around the the front prop shaft...Whatever way you choose best of luck and stay far away from anywhere underneath the aircraft

tomcomet · #7 12-11-17, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesC

My Skymaster pod had a door for the front jack point.

I was thinking about that very option and how it would be pretty handy. Perhaps a future project.