ccsmith51
Well Known Member
I have an RV-4 with electric flaps. Upon landing today I tried to raise them and the flap CB blew. I reset it and it blew again.
I taxied back to the hangar and pulled the floor panels. I looked at the top of the motor and could see the shaft spin a couple of times, then the CB would pop.
I removed the assembly and removed the motor from the actuator. It is a Pittman. There is a LOT of grease in the area where the motor inserts into the actuator.
I dismantled the motor per instructions on another thread. There was no grease on the commutator and the brushes looked good. I reassembled the motor and the shaft spun freely.
I reattached the motor to the drive assembly and clamped it in a vise and applied voltage. The motor spun and drove the actuator, but would bog down and stop. If I removed voltage and reapplied it, it would start again, but then bind up and stop.
I thought about biting the bullet and replacing the motor and actuator, but the prices for a complete flap system are very high, and I expect that the motor and actuator are a good portion of it.
So, before I plop down a few hundred bucks for new parts can anyone give me some things to check to see if this system can be salvaged?
Thanks,
I taxied back to the hangar and pulled the floor panels. I looked at the top of the motor and could see the shaft spin a couple of times, then the CB would pop.
I removed the assembly and removed the motor from the actuator. It is a Pittman. There is a LOT of grease in the area where the motor inserts into the actuator.
I dismantled the motor per instructions on another thread. There was no grease on the commutator and the brushes looked good. I reassembled the motor and the shaft spun freely.
I reattached the motor to the drive assembly and clamped it in a vise and applied voltage. The motor spun and drove the actuator, but would bog down and stop. If I removed voltage and reapplied it, it would start again, but then bind up and stop.
I thought about biting the bullet and replacing the motor and actuator, but the prices for a complete flap system are very high, and I expect that the motor and actuator are a good portion of it.
So, before I plop down a few hundred bucks for new parts can anyone give me some things to check to see if this system can be salvaged?
Thanks,