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To:  lml
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:54:50 -0500
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From: "Randy" <randystuart@hotmail.com>
References: <list-3992751@logan.com>
Subject: Re: [LML] Gear warning indicator
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Looking back on a recent similar discussion concerning someone with no 
knowledge of Lancair's, hydraulics, electronics or aviation, it's very 
important that we all be skeptical and careful of what we buy, build or take 
unproven advice over when it comes to our aircraft. Our safety, our 
passengers and our lives are at stake. Being cavalier can sometimes be 
fatal. It always amazes me how little it takes to start a chain of events 
that quickly turn into a major incident, or death.
I have no problem with pushing our Lancair's to their limit, as Lance 
intended, but always know what you're flying. Pushing my Lancair over 300 
mph is always a thrill but all the systems are well maintained and proven 
with many flight hours.
A few days ago a Legacy caught fire on approach and was a fatal. It wouldn't 
surprise me if the cause of the fire was something unproven or just 
neglected. I know it's impossible to examine every square inch on your 
aircraft and parts do fail. With that said, why not put the odds in your 
favor. Why not use the best parts, proven parts, proven designs. Is your 
aircraft worth more then cheap parts and dangerous offerings from false 
prophets?
As Dan points out in this, yet another, unproven offering from the same 
source, this design would cause a failure. A small failure that could easily 
start that chain of events.
Thanks Dan for your input.

Randy Stuart
LNC-2


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Schaefer" <dfs155@roadrunner.com>
To: <lml>
Sent: Friday, November 27, 2009 5:40 AM
Subject: [LML] Gear warning indicator


> Excuse me!! This looks to have at least two design faults.
>
> Problem 1: If the airspeed switch is closed and any one (or more) of the 
> green "down and locked" lights are energized via the gear position 
> switches, 12 volts will be applied thru one or more of the diodes to this 
> "blinker" and it will try to operate - e.g., the 1000 mike capacitor will 
> charge thru the 100 ohm resistor until the voltage reaches the relay 
> pull-in voltage.
>
> Problem 2: Unfortunately, as soon as the capacitor charges sufficiently to 
> pull in the relay, the relay contacts close and the 12 volts is shorted 
> directly to ground. Hopefully, only blowing a fuse or popping a breaker, 
> but effectively taking at least the gear light circuit down.
>
> Neat!
>
> Dan Schaefer
>
> PS: Stick the resistor on the other side of the relay contacts to at least 
> solve the shorting - not sure what to do to keep this thing from blinking 
> the lights when at least one gear leg is down and locked. But what do I 
> know? I'm just a retired EE and things have a way of getting fuzzy in 10 
> years!
>
> DS
>
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