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Cheap 601XL flap actuator alternative

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pilotdna(at)HOTMAIL.COM
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:46 pm Post subject: Cheap 601XL flap actuator alternative

For you scroungers and scrap builders, I came across a neat linear actuator 

that is almost identical in size and function to the one Scott Laughlin is 

using at www.surpluscenter.com .  Although the force rating is overkill, it 

has built in internal limit switches and a built in position potentiometer, 

which can be wired up to a snazzy lighted three-position controller switch 

that is also at the surplus center.  Best of all, the actuator is only $72 

brand new and the controller is $50.  The 8 second full retraction time 

sounds about right, and 4 pounds isn't unreasonable to me.



The controller is here:  

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID 06082410322769&catname=electric&item=5-1577-C



The actuator is here:  

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID 06082410322769&item=5-1577-4&catname=electric



I ordered one, and my plan is to set up the three controller buttons with an 

up, approach, and down position  (like a Bonanza uses).  Seems better than 

holding a toggle switch to extend them and guessing at the position or 

watching a RAC indicator.



This is just my idea, nothing is installed or tested, but I though some 

might find it interesting.



Doug Eatman

St. Augustine, FL

Flaps & Ailerons, 601XL

learn, build, fly, but do not archive

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admin(at)arachnidrobotics
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:01 pm Post subject: Cheap 601XL flap actuator alternative

I like it. : )  Thanks for the info.



Do Not Archive



Doug Eatman <pilotdna(at)HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:[quote] --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Doug Eatman" 



For you scroungers and scrap builders, I came across a neat linear actuator 

that is almost identical in size and function to the one Scott Laughlin is 

using at www.surpluscenter.com .  Although the force rating is overkill, it 

has built in internal limit switches and a built in position potentiometer, 

which can be wired up to a snazzy lighted three-position controller switch 

that is also at the surplus center.  Best of all, the actuator is only $72 

brand new and the controller is $50.  The 8 second full retraction time 

sounds about right, and 4 pounds isn't unreasonable to me.



The controller is [quote][b]

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craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:16 pm Post subject: Cheap 601XL flap actuator alternative

A very nice unit at a good price. One key difference between it and the

factory part is that the limit switches are non-adjustable and the travel 4

inches. If you weld up the flap actuator parts as per the Zenith plans a 4

inch travel is too much and will end up bending something. Yes the stops in

the controller are programmable but you had better not move too far while

setting them.



A scratch builder who is welding his own parts could just make the

attachment arm on the flap tube longer so that a 4 inch travel would be just

right. I suppose you could extend the arm on the Zenith part too.



-- Craig

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craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:03 pm Post subject: Cheap 601XL flap actuator alternative

Looks like they also have the part number LACT2P actuator which has a 2 inch

travel but not the LACT3P (3 inch travel). I believe 2 inches of travel is a

better match to the standard Zenith flap tube than 4 inches. The rough

settings shown for the micro switches show in 6-B-19 (dated 04/04) give

about 2 inches of travel (63mm - 12mm = 51 mm or about 2 inches) but this

adjustment is refined for 30 degree travel as specified on 6-S-3.



My wings are not hung so I can't say what my limit switches will be set to.

But 3 inches of travel will move the flap arm from where it hits 6B5-2 to

where a straight line from the actuator attachment points intersects 6B5-2.



-- Craig

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nfivesl(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:31 am Post subject: Cheap 601XL flap actuator alternative

Great find Doug!  



I noticed they offer a mounting bracket too.  The

Built-in potentiometer and available controller makes

this a better actuator than what I used.  I can't

complain since a friend gave me the one I'm using.    



Thanks for the post and looking out for everyone. 

This may be the way to go for XL plans-built flaps.  



Take care,



Scott Laughlin

Working on carb air filter/heat muff, etc.

http://www.cooknwithgas.com/6_19_06_Cowl_Rside.JPG

--- Doug Eatman <pilotdna(at)HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <pilotdna(at)hotmail.com>

 

 For you scroungers and scrap builders, I came across

 a neat linear actuator 

 that is almost identical in size and function to the

 one Scott Laughlin is 

 using at www.surpluscenter.com . 


	


__________________________________________________

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pilotdna(at)HOTMAIL.COM
Guest

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:52 am Post subject: Cheap 601XL flap actuator alternative

Thanks for the input everyone.



Special thanks to Scott L. for your extensive detailing of your ideas on the 

webpage.  My flap arm might "coincidentally" look a bit like yours one 

day...



As a side note, the '76 Grumman Tiger I rent uses a simple toggle switch for 

flaps and it is still my favorite of any certified plane I've flown.  If 

anything about the controller leaves me with a question about reliability, 

I'll just use a switch.



do not archive

Doug Eatman

St. Augustine, FL

scrounge-build 601XL "The Batplane"

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