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Flap switch on throttle

Chukill

Chukill

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I am planning to put a flap switch on the throttle of the "Brand S" that I am building. Why you ask? Because it has electric flaps and there is no provision for a Johnson Bar. The ability to vary the amount of flaps going up or down is available without reaching for a panel mounted switch. I like flying with a Johnson Bar on STOL aircraft because you can easily control the rate of feed the flaps have for cleanup after a soft/short field takeoff, or flaps down to get off the ground quickly, for example. You're going to be changing the throttle settings during these type maneuvers anyway, so why not make it a bit more elegant? I won't get the same feedback as from a Johnson Bar and manual flaps, but I will have the ability to milk in or out flap settings with my left hand staying on the lever style throttle handle.
Has anyone built a hand grip with a MOM switch installed for this purpose? Maybe 3D printed? If so, I sure would appreciate a picture. The switch should be mounted in such a way that it is protected against inadvertent movement. Using your thumb would be the most comfortable for activation and mounting the switch on the inboard side of the throttle grip keeps it out of the way when not needed.
You could also install a panel mounted flap switch in parallel for the right-seater if you have that need.
 
Not on the throttle, but I have a flap switch on each of the sticks in my -10. I also have a toggle switch on the panel that disables everything on the co-pilot stick except PTT. It stays in the "disabled" position unless the right-seater is flying.
 
I put my RV-4 electric flaps on my stick. I used the MAC grip, which has 2 momentary buttons, one UP the other DOWN. Super convenient and I also have the elevator and aileron trim there as well. Throttle has Smoke button. Easy install, no need to fabricate anything special. You can see the button layout in the pic. 2 grips can be parallel wired.
 

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yes, used an Otto trim switch in the DJM quadrant throttle handle. IIRC, I made a sleeve with a threaded hole, glued the switch in the sleeve (after wiring), drilled a matching hole in the grip, and used a low profile screw to secure, and drilled a hole for the wire to escape. Wired the switch to some cross wired relays to power the flap motor.
Works great. Very natural.
Otto switch

The pinky microswitch is the radio flip-flop. Also works great.
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I acquired a imperfect ( I can’t see anything wrong, but what do I know ) cast aluminum F16 throttle handle without any of it’s own buttons, switches, or knobs included with the intention to be able to keep both hands on the throttle and stick through any and all critical phases of operation. Other buttons on throttle are ,top in view is TOGO and forward and out of view is the starter button that has an arm/dissarm toggle switch that can be seen on the gear tower
 

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I'm working on mine at the moment. I have a DJM quadrant throttle, and am replacing its handle by a 3D-printed version with support for a 3-way switch. The switch I'm using is:


The switch clips into the modified handle, and a cutout to match the throttle lever prevents the handle rotating.

throttlehandle.png

Three 26AWG wires attach to the switch using PIDG faston connectors, and exit the handle behind the lever attachment.

throttleswitch.png

Of course, this is only a work in progress, so not sure how it will turn out in service ...
 
I have a flap switch on my panel and on my stick. I'd leave off the flap switch on the stick if I were to do it again. My stick has AP disconnect, trim, and PTT as well, and those I would keep.
 
Do you really need a switch on the throttle? Would a switch close by on the panel be nearly as good? How often are the flaps used per flight - once? Switches on moveable stuff (stick, throttle, etc) are much more difficult than on the panel...
 
I had the flap switches on the throttle in my 7. Loved it. No looking around for the switch. right there by your thumb when you wanted them. I don't think Andair makes that quadrant any longer but there are other options for the same thing.

1755095542132.jpeg

The flap switch for my 8 is in front of the throttle (grey switch lower left below the panel). Not as handy as the setup in the 7 but you can get used to almost anything.

1755095850673.jpeg
 
FL-Mike, that is exactly what I was thinking. Can you tell me what relay you used?
Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
 
I put one on the throttle of a Titan Tornado II that I built with a friend in 2000. It was great on his strip to be able to manipulate the flaps while pulling the throttle over the trees. I really liked it there. I’ve never flown an RV set up that way but can’t imagine that it wouldn’t be just as good!
 
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