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Old 03-02-2020, 02:24 PM
laserman laserman is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Auburn, NY
Posts: 46
Default Dissection of a failed AK-450
Because interested minds like to know...


So with a non operational AK-450 ELT .. and a cold winter day..

Not saying this was the only reason for unit failures...

But its hard to make a good solder joint to spring steel with RA/RMA flux

No need to “ Flame” me on all the other manufacturing issues the AK-450 might have had..

Just never could find any failure analysis of the AK-450 online..

Lastly: The AK-450 main board solder joins all look fine..

But its a good guess.. Who ever did this soldering.. Did lots of other units...





As Found...





Simple Repair..




“ Its typically always something simple...”
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Al Karpinski
2020 - RV8 N489RV ..( aka “LipStick”)
2016 182T N522CS
Home Airport B16.
2020 Dues Paid.

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Last edited by laserman : 03-02-2020 at 06:54 PM.
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Old 03-03-2020, 08:05 AM
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Snowflake Snowflake is offline
 
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Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
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I understood that the AK-450 (121.5 only) was quite reliable, and it was the AK-451 (406) that had all the issues... Have I got the numbers mixed up?
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Old 03-03-2020, 10:06 AM
Ralph Inkster Ralph Inkster is offline
 
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Location: Calgary, Alberta
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I re-soldered pins in 2 of those old ELTs, enough said about that mfg's QC.
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Old 03-03-2020, 07:29 PM
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JonJay JonJay is offline
 
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Location: Battleground
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Good catch.
Make sure you neutralize the acid. Acid core is extremely corrosive. Most electrical uses specify rosin core for this reason.
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Old 03-04-2020, 03:06 PM
laserman laserman is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Auburn, NY
Posts: 46
Default Proper cleaning .. Yes ..
Yep.. AD was for both the 450 & 451...

Acid flux (typ used in copper plumbing ) is nasty stuff ..

Took extra care to remove ..

But there is no way to get that spring steel to take solder..
even after dremel drill wire brush prep ..

Be Safe ... Al
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Al Karpinski
2020 - RV8 N489RV ..( aka “LipStick”)
2016 182T N522CS
Home Airport B16.
2020 Dues Paid.

Build Log Link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XpkYCodwBCjAqeMb7

Smoke System Installation Link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UcwHherTSJTyJiuH8
Last edited by laserman : 03-04-2020 at 03:12 PM.
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