Snap! (Followed by cursing)

chepburn · #1 05-19-2012, 12:40 PM

Hi all,

Well, with 2.9 hours left to go in my phase 1, and a beautiful long weekend ahead, it figures that something would try to delay me.

Anybody ever had this happen? Engine Started....now, Avionics ON. EFIS On ---SNAP

These are Tyco switch breakers. (New ones!!!) Yup. The toggle broke right off at the root. C$%p.

mannanj · #2 05-19-2012, 12:54 PM

No. Six years and mine are still working.

rockwoodrv9 · #3 05-19-2012, 01:46 PM

Chris, I have never seen that happen even in a junior high shop class! Are you able to jam something in and make it work? I would try it and see if it is easy to make it work. If not, I would change the switched to something that if it broke, it was still workable. Maybe there isn't a switch like that, but you have sure given me something else to worry about!!

BobTurner · #4 05-19-2012, 02:13 PM

At about 5 hours since new, I started up, turned on the alternator field switch-breaker (Tyco), but it immediately tripped. Wouldn't stay on. Fortunately I was only 10 minutes from home base so I flew home on battery power only, minimal avionics on. At home I found a large chunk of plastic had broken off the back of the breaker. I replaced it, no further problems.

If I had been on the road I would of had to borrow a different CB - maybe the landing lights - and jumpered that to the alternator field wire.

Ironflight · #5 05-19-2012, 04:06 PM

Years ago, I had a flap toggle switch break of just like that - but it was on a trainer that had about a gazillion student touch and goes logged......

My guess in your case is that it was just a random flaw in the metal of the bat.

Snowflake · #6 05-19-2012, 04:28 PM

I'm inclined to agree with Paul... Probably just an extremely rare deformity or void in the metal of the bat. Unless you kind of "hulked out" for a second when you went to flip that switch... "Hulk want EFIS NOW!"

Kevin Horton · #7 05-19-2012, 05:45 PM

Crud. Mark told me you were hoping to finish your 25 hours today, and I was rooting for you. I'd be trading that switch/breaker for one on a system you don't need this weekend, if there is one of the correct rating available - e.g. nav lights.

chepburn · #8 05-19-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Horton

Crud. Mark told me you were hoping to finish your 25 hours today, and I was rooting for you. I'd be trading that switch/breaker for one on a system you don't need this weekend, if there is one of the correct rating available - e.g. nav lights.

Hi Kevin,
Yup, that's why I ended up doing. I now have a inop Turn Coordinator and a couple of 5 amp breakers on order.

Got 1.6 in today. Back up tomorrow.

Chris

CopterJohn · #9 05-21-2012, 03:17 PM

I ordered these from Stein for use as avionics 1 and 2... and two have broken so far. Cheap construction for a $30 switch.

GusBiz · #10 05-21-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Unless you kind of "hulked out" for a second when you went to flip that switch... "Hulk want EFIS NOW!"

I think everyone can see that it was a Hulk moment.

It happens to me all the time.

Its upsetting for my accountant at tax time.
"I owe what??!!"
"HULK NO LIKE....HULK SMASH"