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  #1  
Old 04-11-2019, 07:13 PM
Nihon_Ni's Avatar
Nihon_Ni Nihon_Ni is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Posts: 312
Default Flap control with Infinity Stick

I've searched all through the threads here, and this topic has been discussed a few times over the years, but unfortunately most of the "see the details in this picture" picture are missing, so the discussion wasn't much help.

I'm building an RV-8, I have an Infinity stick grip and a stock Van's flap motor. I know I need some type of relay between the flap switch on the stick and the motor, but I'd like some feedback on how to proceed. My switch is an (ON)-OFF-ON variety with the spring loaded direction in the flaps down direction.

Here's the options I'm considering, but I'm sure there's options I've missed.

1. Use two relays and two micro switches and wire it according to Bob Nuckolls' drawing.

2. TCW Flap controller.

3. Van's Flap Positioning System

Any feedback on these options or others?

Thanks,
Rob
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RV-8 N884RA under construction
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  #2  
Old 04-11-2019, 07:26 PM
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Auburntsts Auburntsts is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 2,861
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I have infinity grips with (on)-off-(on) toggles for my flap switches. I originally ran my flaps via my VP-200 but when it went Tango Uniform I opted for the TCW controller. It has worked just fine. My only advice is if you go the TCW route is invest in a ferrule kit and crimper to terminate the wires. The TCW uses those connectors with the little screws that clamp on the wire which don’t work well with stranded wire. Without a ferrule the wire tends to slip out of the connecter especially when you are futzing with multiple wires in tight corners.
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RV-10 N728TT - Flying!
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Last edited by Auburntsts : 04-12-2019 at 06:07 AM.
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  #3  
Old 04-11-2019, 07:35 PM
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RV8Squaz RV8Squaz is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Senoia, Georgia
Posts: 802
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nihon_Ni View Post
I've searched all through the threads here, and this topic has been discussed a few times over the years, but unfortunately most of the "see the details in this picture" picture are missing, so the discussion wasn't much help.

I'm building an RV-8, I have an Infinity stick grip and a stock Van's flap motor. I know I need some type of relay between the flap switch on the stick and the motor, but I'd like some feedback on how to proceed. My switch is an (ON)-OFF-ON variety with the spring loaded direction in the flaps down direction.

Here's the options I'm considering, but I'm sure there's options I've missed.

1. Use two relays and two micro switches and wire it according to Bob Nuckolls' drawing.

2. TCW Flap controller.

3. Van's Flap Positioning System

Any feedback on these options or others?

Thanks,
Rob
I did #1 long before the other two options were available. In 12 years and 1600 hours of flying, it has been flawless. It?s also relatively inexpensive and was easy to wire.
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  #4  
Old 04-11-2019, 08:33 PM
Bicyclops Bicyclops is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: LA, California
Posts: 323
Default #1, no microswitches

[quote=Nihon_Ni;1338776]I've searched all through the threads here, and this topic has been discussed a few times over the years, but unfortunately most of the "see the details in this picture" picture are missing, so the discussion wasn't much help.

I'm building an RV-8, I have an Infinity stick grip and a stock Van's flap motor. I know I need some type of relay between the flap switch on the stick and the motor, but I'd like some feedback on how to proceed. My switch is an (ON)-OFF-ON variety with the spring loaded direction in the flaps down direction.

Here's the options I'm considering, but I'm sure there's options I've missed.

1. Use two relays and two micro switches and wire it according to Bob Nuckolls' drawing.

I used the 2 relay Aeroelectric method without relays. The flap actuator has internal limits. I rigged mine so that the upper limit is reached at the fully retracted position. The lower limit will prevent over extension. When it hits the limits, the motor will run free and the flaps stop moving. Release the switch and you're done. It won't hurt to run the motor for a few extra seconds until you can spare a moment to visually confirm the flap position.

Ed Holyoke
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  #5  
Old 04-11-2019, 09:03 PM
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Veetail88 Veetail88 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Hales Corners, WI
Posts: 981
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I have the Infinity grips and had an on-off-mom switch put in. I also used Infinity's flap and trim relay board. Works great for the past 575 hours. I did rig an up limit switch, so when I retract the flaps, I just flip the switch on the switch up and the limit switch opens the circuit when the flaps are full up. Works fantastic.
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  #6  
Old 04-12-2019, 04:53 AM
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chepburn chepburn is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ottawa , Canada
Posts: 224
Default isolate rear grip

One mode to consider in your design...

If you have flap control switches on front and rear grips, make sure that you include an isolation switch to disable the rear stick.

If you use up-off-(down) in both seats, if the rear (pilot/passenger) accidentally flips the rear switch up, you will be doing a flaps up landing.

We have a rear isolation switch installed, but didn't consider this case and it happened. Obviously not a critical failure, but it could be in unfortunate circumstances.

The 'fix' is to either add 'isolate rear stick' to downwind check, or install a (up)-off-(down) in the rear seat.

Regards,
Chris
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  #7  
Old 04-12-2019, 05:59 AM
AviatorJ AviatorJ is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 913
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Similar to Todd I have a (ON)-OFF-(ON) set up. I am using the VPX though to manage positions. It's been great, about halfway through I changed from a relex, 10, 20, 30 degree setup to reflex, trailing, 1/2 and full configuration. Being able to make those adjustments fairly easily is helpful.
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  #8  
Old 04-12-2019, 07:04 AM
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scrollF4 scrollF4 is offline
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Location: Flower Mound, TX
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by AviatorJ View Post
Similar to Todd I have a (ON)-OFF-(ON) set up. I am using the VPX though to manage positions. It's been great, about halfway through I changed from a relex, 10, 20, 30 degree setup to reflex, trailing, 1/2 and full configuration. Being able to make those adjustments fairly easily is helpful.
I also have VPX installed in KELLI GIRL, and use it to control my flaps. My Infinity sticks? flap toggles are spring-loaded in both directions back to the center ?off? position. By momentarily bumping the switch down once, VPX takes the flaps down to half flaps. Then, another bump gives me full flaps. Bumping the switch up brings the flaps up to 0. Any time the flaps are traveling, I can stop their travel with another switch bump. By pressing and holding the switch down or up, the flaps will move until I release the switch (for setting some flap setting other than half or full, like 1/4 flaps for a soft-field takeoff).

I also 100% concur with the need for a kill switch...a ?grandfather? switch, my wife calls it. Those pesky kids...
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52F NW Regional/Aero Valley Airport, Roanoke TX (home of DR's Van Cave)
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  #9  
Old 04-12-2019, 07:36 AM
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Dugaru Dugaru is offline
 
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Location: Richmond VA, USA
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Default This is key

Quote:
Originally Posted by scrollF4 View Post
My Infinity sticks? flap toggles are spring-loaded in both directions back to the center ?off? position.
Excellent idea.

Mine was NOT set up this way by the original builder. It was spring-loaded to return to center from the down position, but would stay in the "up" position. And (just as importantly) it had no gadget or circuitry to turn the motor off once the flaps were all the way up.

So you can probably guess what happened: I knocked it once with a gloved hand at night, which caused the flap motor to run "up" for about 45 minutes. Burned the motor to a cinder.
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  #10  
Old 04-12-2019, 07:54 AM
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Auburntsts Auburntsts is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 2,861
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dugaru View Post
Excellent idea.

Mine was NOT set up this way by the original builder. It was spring-loaded to return to center from the down position, but would stay in the "up" position. And (just as importantly) it had no gadget or circuitry to turn the motor off once the flaps were all the way up.

So you can probably guess what happened: I knocked it once with a gloved hand at night, which caused the flap motor to run "up" for about 45 minutes. Burned the motor to a cinder.
I guess I should have been more clear in my first post about the toggle's action. An action in parenthesis means momentary so (on)-off-(on) means momentary (ie spring loaded) in both the up and down positions with return to center which is off.
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