FLT Cancelled - Flap Motor TU

[N427EF]

Flap motor on my RV-8 went out at around 100 hrs with the same problem as everyone else. I cleaned it and put it back in service.At 200 hrs the same problem re-occurred and was followed up with the same cleaning procedure.
I finally purchased a new one from Van and installed it before the problem
occurred again. I do not like the new one as it takes twice as long to extend the flaps.
The old one has been outfitted with new brushes and cleaned and if anything goes wrong with the new one I will reinstall the old flap motor.
Cleaning the motor brushes at about a 100 hour interval is just part of maintenance. I realize that a stuck flap in the down position is cause for grounding the plane, it is not a safety issue when your flaps are inop. for some time.
My 2 cents

[rv9aviator]

Would you have a picture of the flap handle with the seats in? I would like to see how it all fits. I think I might know where I can get my hands on a manual flap setup. Thanks

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by rv9aviator

Would you have a picture of the flap handle with the seats in? I would like to see how it all fits. I think I might know where I can get my hands on a manual flap setup. Thanks

This is a problem with forums such as this...

There are thousands of electric flap RV's out there with good success. But you'll get five or ten with problems, and it will look like the sky is falling, because the thousands don't respond on forums.

RV9 flaps take more muscle. They are "stuffed" between "skinny" seats, and very unlike a forward mounted Johnson bar in a Piper.
You'll most likely regret it. Especially with a passenger!

I've followed these builder forums for nearly 15 years, and seldom see a manual to electric conversion, that wished to go back to manual.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by rv9aviator

Would you have a picture of the flap handle with the seats in? I would like to see how it all fits. I think I might know where I can get my hands on a manual flap setup. Thanks

Jim,

Contact Van's on this. Back when I was building I contacted them regarding retrofitting the RV-6 flap handle in my -9 and was told that due to the length and design (fowler style) of the flaps you would not have enough strength to lower the flaps. Thus it is not an option.

In reading through the past posts to this thread, it was noted that Van's possibly had a batch of bad motors, and mine might be in that group. I do know of some guys with around the same vintage flap motors who have twice the number of hours I have and haven't had a single problem.

FWIW, manual flaps, as much as I like them, aren't perfect. For one, there is limited room in the RV to pull them up w/o elbowing your passenger, IMHO. Second, I have flown a manual flap RV-6 and had them retract a notch while on final. This could have been a problem had they retracted at a more crucial time.

Originally Posted by L.Adamson

This is a problem with forums such as this...

There are thousands of electric flap RV's out there with good success. But you'll get five or ten with problems, and it will look like the sky is falling, because the thousands don't respond on forums...

I couldn't agree more. The reason for my follow up post regarding my latest flap failure is not to alarm the masses but to inform them. If we don't discuss such issues, they tend to get swept under the carpet. The fix isn't that difficult to do and with luck, I hope I don't have to repeat it.

[rv9aviator]

Both points well taken. I was just remembering the manual flaps on my 57 Cessna 172 and liked them just fine. It makes sense the larger flaps on the 9 would be an issue in manually operating the flaps. I have my flaps all hooked up and they seem to work as they should so no change will be planned. I was wondering how tight it was between the seats with a manual bar and it sounds like it would be in the way. Thanks folks. The sky is now raising towards the heavens just like I wish my 9 could do.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by N941WR

Jim,

I couldn't agree more. The reason for my follow up post regarding my latest flap failure is not alarm the masses but to inform them. If we don't discuss such issues, they tend to get swept under the carpet. The fix isn't that difficult to do and with luck, I hope I don't have to repeat it.

Understood And it's good to agree once and a while. Must be the holidays...

L.Adamson