FLT Cancelled - Flap Motor TU

[N941WR]

Tad,

Do you want to clean mine? I figure I'm about due for a problem.

When I ordered my -9 fuselage I asked Van's about manual flaps and they told me with the long flaps on the -9 there was no way you could get enough leverage to drop them. That and after my transition training in a -6 w/ manual flaps, I'm very happy with the motor, even if you need to clean it once a year.

[N941WR]

I wasn't that far off. My flap motor went TU yesterday with less than 85 hours on it. I'm off to the airport to work on it. Bummer as today looks like a great day to go flying!

[rvaitor87]

I have been using mine for the last 19 years, same motor, different switch, but the same set up. Maybe there was just a run of bad motors? I do find it unusual that so many people are having the same problem. Mayby there is a common thread that all have that is causing the problem. Could iit be a vibration problem? I wil say this, mine is mounted vertically, behind the seat.

Mike Bauer

RV-3 N87LB flying
RV-4 N742MC building

[victor]

I think most of the problems with the flap motor is that they don't get enough use, maybe 15-20 seconds per flight. If the motor doesn't start, usually a gentle tap (with switch on) with your elbow or screwdriver is all it takes. Cycle the flaps up and down a few times and allow the motor to warm up and "burn in" a bit. Like many things, it is much happier if it is ran more than a few seconds each flight.

[N941WR]

With all the problems people have reported regarding these flap motors, has anyone thought to contact Van's and let them know there is a problem?

BTW, I cleaned out my flap motor and it worked just fine for the 25 minute flight I was able to squeeze in before the sun set.

[Ken]

Originally Posted by Build9A

I have had no trouble with my flap motor for 3 years. That said, I have also heard stories of motor failures and agree that there have been numerous problems.

I am no electrician, far from it, but could your problem be in the switch?

AeroElectric Connection talks about the inductive load of a motor can play havoc with a switch, so it is very important to have the proper switch/relay arrangement. My neighbor is an electrical engineer with aerospace experience so I am running this by him since I am now choosing switches for my panel.

[AllanC]

Chad,

OT, but pertaining to your photos on this thread. What did you replace the profiled aluminum seat back with? Looks like some form of al EML. Did this give you a little more leg room and a little less weight? How is the mod lasting up?

Allan

[cjensen]

Hey Allan,

That seat mod is an experiment of mine...it may not work out, but my idea is to use those "lightweight" seatbacks with this material to make them breathable...







I have not yet proven them to myself as being comfortable since I can only lean on them against my fireplace at this point, so the jury is still out on that. I don't expect them to work all that well, but I wanted to give it a try.

The seatbacks are made from screen door protectors. See my log entry here...

http://www.chadandbrittne.com/July%2...ul%2012-07.htm

and here...

http://www.chadandbrittne.com/July%2...ul%2014-07.htm

[N941WR]

My flap motor went TU again, this time at 204 hours, 120 hours since the last cleaning.

When I cleaned it the other day, I really cleaned and soaked the motor in contact cleaner. So, the motor will either run forever or burn up in short order.

I'll post back when it goes out again.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by N941WR

My flap motor went TU again, this time at 204 hours, 120 hours since the last cleaning.

When I cleaned it the other day, I really cleaned and soaked the motor in contact cleaner. So, the motor will either run forever or burn up in short order.

I'll post back when it goes out again.

There is a 6A in the hangar next door, that's a bit over 12 years old, and about 1300 hrs. I'll ask him about his flap motor, if I see him tomorrow. He's never mentioned a failure, but I don't know for sure. I'm just curious.

L.Adamson