Matronics Email Lists :: View topic - Strobe Switch

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Strobe Switch - New evidence

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> AeroElectric-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

chasb(at)satx.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 6:02 am Post subject: Strobe Switch - New evidence

Bob, et. al.,



Once again my strobes quit working. Suspecting another Carling switch failure, that's what I checked first. To my surprise, the switch and its connections were pristine. However, the other end of the power line, a Molex connector at the Whelen Strobe Power Pack, was the problem. The power pin had overheated to the point where the Molex connector was blackened and melted around the pin. The other  pin on the connector, a ground wire, was not affected. Replaced the Molex and the system is back in operation. The mystery deepens.



Charlie Brame

RV-6A  N11CB

San Antonio

- The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List

RnJCurtis(at)charter.net
Guest

Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 6:35 am Post subject: Strobe Switch - New evidence

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 Once again my strobes quit working. Suspecting another Carling switch 

 failure, that's what I checked first. To my surprise, the switch and its 

 connections were pristine. However, the other end of the power line, a 

 Molex connector at the Whelen Strobe Power Pack, was the problem. The 

 power pin had overheated to the point where the Molex connector was 

 blackened and melted around the pin. The other  pin on the connector, a 

 ground wire, was not affected. Replaced the Molex and the system is back 

 in operation. The mystery deepens.


	




        Did you check the old connector to see if (1) there

        were any broken strands on the connector going into

        either side?  (2) Were the wires on the pins

         stripped properly and a nice gas tight crimped

        connection?  (3) Did there appear to be any corrosion

        on the pins?  Sometimes it is difficult to see these things

        after the connection is burned up, but it is worth a look.



        Roger

- The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List

sprocket(at)vx-aviation.c
Guest

Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 6:50 am Post subject: Strobe Switch - New evidence

Not a mystery at all.  The strobe power pack is a constant-power device, which means that as the input voltage drops, the load current increases.  If you have a resistive switch or connection, you'll get what's called 'thermal runaway'.



This leads to burnt or charred switches, contacts or connectors.



When I first discovered the problem about 7 years ago, It was the Carling switch rivets that were the root cause, but any deteriorating contact can cause it.



Make it an annual inspection item for the strobe connectors and switches.  Check your landing and taxi light circuits as well.  



Vern



====================================================

Sent from my iThing. It is responsible for all gramma and typo terrors.



 	  Quote: 	
		   On May 19, 2014, at 7:01 AM, Charles Brame <chasb(at)satx.rr.com> wrote:

 

 

 

 Bob, et. al.,

 

 Once again my strobes quit working. Suspecting another Carling switch failure, that's what I checked first. To my surprise, the switch and its connections were pristine. However, the other end of the power line, a Molex connector at the Whelen Strobe Power Pack, was the problem. The power pin had overheated to the point where the Molex connector was blackened and melted around the pin. The other  pin on the connector, a ground wire, was not affected. Replaced the Molex and the system is back in operation. The mystery deepens.

 

 Charlie Brame

 RV-6A  N11CB

 San Antonio

- The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List

Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 11:03 am Post subject: Strobe Switch - New evidence

Not sure what strobe power supply you are using but I changed from one 

that many homebuilders were using (Plane Power?) to a Nova Electronics 

XPAK604X unit.  It looks and mounts just like my old unit but it 

separates the switch from the power circuit with what I assume is an 

internal relay.



I burned out a switch terminal on my original installation.  I didn't 

fully understand the reasons but I swapped the original out for the Nova 

unit.  It significantly shortened the power leads from over 10 feet to 

<2' (RV10).



Just a thought.



On 5/19/2014 10:01 AM, Charles Brame wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Bob, et. al.,



 Once again my strobes quit working. Suspecting another Carling switch failure, that's what I checked first. To my surprise, the switch and its connections were pristine. However, the other end of the power line, a Molex connector at the Whelen Strobe Power Pack, was the problem. The power pin had overheated to the point where the Molex connector was blackened and melted around the pin. The other  pin on the connector, a ground wire, was not affected. Replaced the Molex and the system is back in operation. The mystery deepens.



 Charlie Brame

 RV-6A  N11CB

 San Antonio

 -----

 No virus found in this message.

 Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

- The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> AeroElectric-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum