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05-29-2009, 07:06 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Altoona, PA
Posts: 122
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Main Battery Contactor Smoke
I just hooked up the main battery for the first time. As with everything, it seems like there is a problem associated with firsts. In this case, the diode on the contactor starts to smoke. The contactor is from B&C, the ring on the diode is facing the battery. At this point, there is no load on anything.
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Charlie Becker
N464CB. RV8A(es)
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05-29-2009, 07:43 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
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It's definitely in...
Quote:
Originally Posted by ctbecker
I just hooked up the main battery for the first time. As with everything, it seems like there is a problem associated with firsts. In this case, the diode on the contactor starts to smoke. The contactor is from B&C, the ring on the diode is facing the battery. At this point, there is no load on anything.
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...backwards, and is no longer functional... 
Check your wiring. Is it one of vans parts hidden in heat shrink? - it could have been wrongly marked.
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Gil Alexander
EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
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05-29-2009, 07:58 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Altoona, PA
Posts: 122
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Gil, is only the diode bad or have i fried the contactor? Any idea of the diode #, I should be able to get one at the aviation section of radio shack.
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Charlie Becker
N464CB. RV8A(es)
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05-29-2009, 08:13 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Mateo, CA
Posts: 1,419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctbecker
Gil, is only the diode bad or have i fried the contactor? Any idea of the diode #, I should be able to get one at the aviation section of radio shack.
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The contactor is probably fine. And in fact, the purpose of the diode is to prevent arcing from slowing killing the master switch. You can continue your initial testing/debugging without the diode - just get a replacement from Vans or radio shack eventually. Many certified planes don't even have the diode.
RS (or other) should definitely have it. I think a 1N4001 (if memory serves) should do ya. |
05-29-2009, 08:39 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
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As Kevin says...
Quote:
Originally Posted by ctbecker
Gil, is only the diode bad or have i fried the contactor? Any idea of the diode #, I should be able to get one at the aviation section of radio shack.
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...on the diode.
But do a check to make sure that you did not get "plus" and "minus" reversed at the battery end.... just in case... 
__________________
Gil Alexander
EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
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05-29-2009, 09:12 PM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
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Look at it this way, you at least avoided reinventing the "NED" (Noise Emitting Diode - it makes a loud noise when connected backwards across a large potential - but only once!) 
Paul
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Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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05-30-2009, 06:22 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 693
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Take a look
We have a document about contactors... second one down.. might be helpful for you.
http://www.verticalpower.com/documents.html
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Marc Ausman
RV-7 980 hours, IO-390, VP-X (sold)
RV-8 (flying a friend's)
Thinking about low and slow backcountry build.
VAF Advertiser - Aircraft Wiring Guide
Book to help with experimental aircraft wiring.
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05-31-2009, 06:45 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Altoona, PA
Posts: 122
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Lets see - Red to + and Black to - ? Lets see, I reversed the battery . . . but not the cables! 
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Charlie Becker
N464CB. RV8A(es)
Certificate Issued
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05-31-2009, 09:38 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
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That is at least good...
Quote:
Originally Posted by ctbecker
Lets see - Red to + and Black to - ? Lets see, I reversed the battery . . . but not the cables! |
...to know (see my post #5... ...)
The alternative of having badly (reversed) marked diodes would not be good.
Replace the fried diode and you will be good to go.... 
__________________
Gil Alexander
EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
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