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  #11  
Old 08-09-2007, 06:51 AM
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db1yg db1yg is offline
 
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Phillip,

I have both the speed controller and the REL-1 and have had zero problems with the speed controller. However, I had to replace the relay at 85 hrs.

Cheers,

db
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  #12  
Old 08-10-2007, 12:18 PM
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ScottSchmidt ScottSchmidt is offline
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Thumbs up Update - REL-2 and LED Repair

I just wanted to update you on a couple of things I did at the hanger last night. First, I installed the REL-2 and obviously it works great. Hopefully the problem is fixed. Second, I pulled out my two LED indicators that were not working and played with them until the light came on. On both indicators the same wire appeared to be soldered very poorly. The connection that wasn't working was hooked to another wire on the printed cuircut board so I just put a larger dab of solder connecting them both and they work great. Tim said he did the same thing (which gave me the confidence to try). I'm sure when they were manufactured there must have been an issue with that one connection. I wish I took a picture of it but if yours doesn't work and you want to give it a shot, just start playing with the backside of the PCB until the light comes back on. It was pretty easy to find and fix.
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  #13  
Old 08-10-2007, 01:32 PM
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Scott/Tim,

So for those of use that haven't installed the LEDs yet, would you recommend a little pre-emptive soldering?

I suspect that may void any warranties.......

bob
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  #14  
Old 08-12-2007, 09:30 AM
TimO TimO is offline
 
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That's a good question, Bob. I don't know that I'd try to encourage everyone to open them up and preemptively solder them, but really, they are very easy to open, and if you have a good fine-tipped iron, you could probably check it, and ensure that it looks good, and nobody would be the wiser...saving your worry about the warranty. It isn't a big deal to do after you have it flying either, as long as the indicator is easily pulled and hung out the front of the panel. It's one of the more minor things to deal with.

Tim
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  #15  
Old 08-12-2007, 10:13 AM
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aadamson aadamson is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TimO
That's a good question, Bob. I don't know that I'd try to encourage everyone to open them up and preemptively solder them, but really, they are very easy to open, and if you have a good fine-tipped iron, you could probably check it, and ensure that it looks good, and nobody would be the wiser...saving your worry about the warranty. It isn't a big deal to do after you have it flying either, as long as the indicator is easily pulled and hung out the front of the panel. It's one of the more minor things to deal with.

Tim
As an ancillary note. The most common failure on the LED indicators is that ground stap that they solder on. If you can run your finger or finger nail over all the LED segments and it start working, then take it out, take it apart and resolder all the tails on the LED's where they touch or contact the ground strap (just a cut off resistor lead soldered to all the LEDS).

I've had to fix 2 of them this way and know of 3rd that I need to rescue from a fellow Lancair builders airplane and fix it.
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  #16  
Old 08-12-2007, 03:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TimO
That's a good question, Bob. I don't know that I'd try to encourage everyone to open them up and preemptively solder them, but really, they are very easy to open, and if you have a good fine-tipped iron, you could probably check it, and ensure that it looks good, and nobody would be the wiser...saving your worry about the warranty. It isn't a big deal to do after you have it flying either, as long as the indicator is easily pulled and hung out the front of the panel. It's one of the more minor things to deal with.

Tim
I'll put this on my to do list for when the wx gets colder this winter. My first career was a maintenance engineer in a studio in Nashville, so I've got a nice set of tools for working on electronics. I've got two indicators to check.
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  #17  
Old 08-12-2007, 07:48 PM
ddddsp ddddsp is offline
 
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Forget the LED and use the indicator on the DYNON............or GRT/Chelton/AFS if they have the capability. Save the panel space for useful stuff.............like more expensive avionic toys........


DEAN 805HL
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  #18  
Old 12-01-2008, 10:03 AM
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Jamie Jamie is offline
 
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Default Another REL-1 Failure

Chalk up another failure for the REL-1 relay. Some exact failure mode as described above and in other threads here on VAF. My elevator would trim one way, but not the other unless I tried the 'working' direction again. This happened at about 180 hours.

I called RAC and they said they would replace my REL-1s with REL-2s for half price. They say that have ZERO reported failures of the REL-2 relays. I decided to go ahead and replace both since I have a pretty good feeling the aileron trim will do the same thing.

If I build another airplane I will not install trim on the passenger stick (just PTT). Too much complication for little gain. If you just have trim on the pilot's stick there is no need for relays. I've carried countless passengers and those trim buttons may have been pressed two or three times max.

An interesting note about these failures: In every case I have read about this happened in the elevator trim and not the aileron trim. I suppose this is just because the elevator trim is used more? It's interesting none-the-less.
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  #19  
Old 12-01-2008, 10:48 AM
Rick S. Rick S. is offline
 
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I think a bunch of us have gone a totally different direction with the Trim safe system...this is the best and easiest way to wire your trim. Plus it has great safety features.

http://www.tcwtech.com/Aviation%20Products.htm
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  #20  
Old 01-12-2009, 08:13 PM
RNewman RNewman is offline
 
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Default updated link

Here's an updated link that goes directly to the Safety-Trim web page.

http://www.tcwtech.com/Safety-Trim-Page.htm



Thanks,
Bob Newman
TCW Technologies
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