Dico wrote:
Yesterday and today were my first days flying this winter (or any winter with the IV-P as its only been "up north" for 6 months now). I noticed that the gear minder was acting a bit funny. Telling me that my "gear is down" as I'm taxing. Then after take off and I put the gear up, the gear minder reminds me about 4 or 5 times to "put gear up". I am usually quite quick to put the gear up, so its not like I'm busting any speed limit on the system I don't think. On landing, I put the gear down (at 140kias, for example) and when I get down to about 120, it'll remind me to put the gear down (about 12 times) even though they have been down and I have 3 green lights.
Today on take off I rotated, and went to raise the gear the the solenoid that keeps you from raising the gear while on the ground wouldn't let me raise it. I tried 3 times and on the 3rd time it worked fine. The second flight today the gear came up with no issues.
I'm wondering if the cold weather is affecting this or what the issue might be... where to look...
I should mention that the plane has been in an unheated hangar (for 1 more month before it moves to a heated hangar).
Dico,
If built by the plans, the IV-P has an airspeed sensing switch that unlocks the gear downlock solenoid at a pre-set airspeed…usually around 80 kts or so. This thing is plumbed into the pitot AND static lines with very small 1/8” or 1/16” tubing. Your “gear minder” may provide this, plus the verbal warning, or they may be separate, but interconnected systems. First thing to check would be water/condensation in the pitot or static lines connected to the gear minder and/or airspeed sensing switch. Even a drop would be enough to block the line and keep the switch from operating correctly up where you are. (BTW, this could become even more of a problem when you store it in a heated hangar and periodically fly it in sub-freezing weather)
I’d disconnect the instruments/components and CAREFULLY blow out the lines with dry nitrogen. If you still have trouble, check the airspeed switch itself. Mine is mounted on the back of my instrument panel, but most builders locate them in the cabin, somewhere along the pitot line path between the left wing and the airspeed indicator. As far as I know, there is not a “standard” location for this component.
Give me a call on my cell phone if you have questions.
Bob