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Trim failure

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Joel

Joined: 06 Oct 2006
Posts: 57
Location: Bremerton, WA USA

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:29 pm Post subject: Trim failure

Yesterday I flew my model 5 to 14,000 feet and was still climbing at better than 200 FPM. My altitude was verified by ATC at 13k on the way up. After a stop at Port Townsend International I returned to my home field to find the nose up trim was not working. Back on the ground I verified that the trim motor would run in the nose down direction to the limit but would not run at all in the nose up direction.  Searchng through the archives I find two likely suspects; the trim switch or the actuator motor armature. I have 50 hours total on the plane. My question is which is more likely to be the culprit?



Thanks,

_________________
Joel Mapes Kitfox 5 912 ULS Aerocomp amphibs

wingsdown(at)verizon.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:09 pm Post subject: Trim failure

My belief it is the trim switch. Could be the wiring. I may have a used

trim switch somewhere. I would just reverse the wiring and see if she

runs the other direction. There is only one DC motor so if she runs one

direction it should run the other direction. You can apply 12 volts at

the trim motor , just switch polarity and see how she runs. It is a jack

screw driven by a DC motor. 



Rick



--

runwayrex(at)juno.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:33 pm Post subject: Trim failure

My guess is that Rick is right...................unless the motor malfunctioned due to lack of oxygen at 14,000 feet!     

Of course, you had your supply, right? 

Rex in Michigan

912 UL / Warp / Model 3 

Do not archive



-- "Rick" <wingsdown(at)verizon.net> wrote:

--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Rick" <wingsdown(at)verizon.net>



My belief it is the trim switch. Could be the wiring. I may have a used

trim switch somewhere. I would just reverse the wiring and see if she

runs the other direction. There is only one DC motor so if she runs one

direction it should run the other direction. You can apply 12 volts at

the trim motor , just switch polarity and see how she runs. It is a jack

screw driven by a DC motor. 



Rick



-----Original Message-----

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com

[mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Joel

Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 6:29 PM

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Kitfox-List: Trim failure

--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Joel" <foxfloatflyer(at)hotmail.com>



Yesterday I flew my model 5 to 14,000 feet and was still climbing at

better than 200 FPM. My altitude was verified by ATC at 13k on the way

up. After a stop at Port Townsend International I returned to my home

field to find the nose up trim was not working. Back on the ground I

verified that the trim motor would run in the nose down direction to the

limit but would not run at all in the nose up direction.  Searchng

through the archives I find two likely suspects; the trim switch or the

actuator motor armature. I have 50 hours total on the plane. My question

is which is more likely to be the culprit?



Thanks,



--------

Joel Mapes Kitfox 5 912 ULS Aerocomp amphibs





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=122781#122781





3:26 PM

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   [quote][b]

fredshiple(at)sbcglobal.n
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:46 pm Post subject: Trim failure

Rick's pointing you in the right direction with regards to your  probable switch failure, but replace it with a high quality switch as  that switch sees a lot of use cycles. When mine went I used ACS's  momentary double-pole double-throw switch after quizzing Skystar. It's  a bit pricey but it's now lasted 3 years (only got 6 months with the  first one).

  Fred



 [quote][b]

dan(at)azshowersolutions.
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject: Trim failure

This thread has generated a question for anyone that has their trim switch in a Ray Allen (MAK) stick grip. I am still building and this is where I am planning to stick mine. Has anyone put the Ray Allen trim switch (on the stick grip) through a time tested ringer?

  Dan B

  Mesa, AZ

  KF IV, 912s



Fred Shiple <fredshiple(at)sbcglobal.net> wrote:

  [quote]Rick's pointing you in the right direction with regards to your probable switch failure, but replace it with a high quality switch as that switch sees a lot of use cycles. When mine went I used ACS's momentary double-pole double-throw switch after quizzing Skystar. It's a bit pricey but it's now lasted 3 years (only got 6 months with the first one).

Fred



[quote][b]    [quote][b]

SOURDOSTAN(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:26 pm Post subject: Trim failure

I have a MAC trim switch on my stick--has been faithful for 1180 hours.   I wouldn't have my trim switch anywhere else--great on final!

  

  

 Stan Specht

Kitfox Model IV Speedster "Columbine"

Denver, Colorado



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

n981ms(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:47 am Post subject: Trim failure

Mine did it too.  The Eaton switch that came with my kit and that I still use can be disassembled (careful,  small parts inside) and the contacts cleaned to fix the problem.

   

  Maxwell

  S6 TD IO240

  



Joel <foxfloatflyer(at)hotmail.com> wrote:

  [quote]--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Joel" 



Yesterday I flew my model 5 to 14,000 feet and was still climbing at better than 200 FPM. My altitude was verified by ATC at 13k on the way up. After a stop at Port Townsend International I returned to my home field to find the nose up trim was not working. Back on the ground I verified that the trim motor would run in the nose down direction to the limit but would not run at all in the nose up direction. Searchng through the archives I find two likely suspects;       Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect.  [url=http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48516/*http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7 ]Join Yahoo!'s user panel[/url] and lay it on us.  [quote][b]

kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:25 am Post subject: Re: Trim failure

Sounds like it's your switch, I would just buy a new one and move on.  



As far as the ray allen, if you are using the grip with 4 buttons on top, I like mine only for the up trim, I have it on the button to the back, I end up using the  button on the dash for the down, sure the one on the stick is hooked up, but it takes a bit of stretching to get the thumb to the down button.  This is probably because the control stick is bent, and the normal possision of the stick when flying is a bit forward angled. As far as durability, no problem with mine and I have about 600 hrs on this setup.  I did have problems with there relay deck, on the second one I wrapped it in bubble wrap and then stuck it on the back of the panel. seems to be working fine now.  Of course when I do touches I just leave the trim in one spot throughout the pattern work.

n85ae

Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 403

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:37 am Post subject: Re: Trim failure

My vote is the Armature. Mine failed that way, and when you take it apart

and see how cruddy those things get inside, you'll be just like me and

cleaning it every other year or so just for peace of mind.



Jeff Hays

Series 5, IO-240B

m4785(at)bellsouth.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 11:18 am Post subject: Trim failure

testing my email...thanks mark

 	  Quote: 	

 From: SOURDOSTAN(at)aol.com

 Date: 2007/07/08 Sun PM 11:25:54 EDT

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: Trim failure

 I have a MAC trim switch on my stick--has been faithful for 1180 hours.   I 

 wouldn't have my trim switch anywhere else--great on final!

 Stan Specht

 Kitfox Model IV Speedster "Columbine"

 Denver, Colorado

 ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

m4785(at)bellsouth.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:47 am Post subject: Trim failure

hI Stan

 I also have the same setup mac/ray allen servo with the trim buttons on my stick,but I had a problem last week with my system and was wondering if you or anyone else has had a simular problem...

  After flying for a couple of hrs I landed at a public airstrip and was out of my fox for an hr,when I started up and taxied to the runway for takeoff I noticed my trim light position was not coming on,after getting out and inspecting my trim tab I found it stuck in the full down trim position,after pulling the servo apart I found that one of the nylon gears had come out of position,I realligned the gear and put the servo back together.The trim sys seems to work ok again..so far....,I  trying to figure out what caused this, did someone play with my trim while I was away from my plane and over run the servo,this seems likely due to there were a few people around my plane at this strip and I dont have to have my key or ignition on to work the trim...or ..could it be a short in the wiring somewhere,but would it go to a full down position if it was a short...........Anyways just wondering if any of you guys have had this happen......



 Regards....Mark N61AC

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 From: SOURDOSTAN(at)aol.com

 Date: 2007/07/08 Sun PM 11:25:54 EDT

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: Trim failure

 

 I have a MAC trim switch on my stick--has been faithful for 1180 hours.   I 

 wouldn't have my trim switch anywhere else--great on final!

  

  

 Stan Specht

 Kitfox Model IV Speedster "Columbine"

 Denver, Colorado

 

 

 

 ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

smokey_bear_40220(at)yaho
Guest

Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:25 pm Post subject: Trim failure

Mark,



My guess is that someone physically moved your trim

tab, possibly by walking into it, and popped the gear

out.  Just a guess.



Some days I feel that people would bang into my plane

trying to pick up their cigarette that they dropped

reaching for the pen knife they were going to use to

cut a piece of fabric.....



Hi Stan also!



Kurt Schrader

S-5/NSI turbo

Florida and panama



Do not archive



--- m4785(at)bellsouth.net wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  > hI Stan

  I also have the same setup mac/ray allen servo with

 the trim buttons on my stick,but I had a problem

 last week with my system and was wondering if you or

 anyone else has had a simular problem...


	




       

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m4785(at)bellsouth.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:54 pm Post subject: Trim failure

You got me laughing good there.....and the burn holes in the fabric from the marlboro man...

 I flew today and put the trim in full down position just to see if I could over power the stick...well I could muscle the stick but it would be real hard to land that way......



 thanks mark........oh shit landing

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 From: kurt schrader <smokey_bear_40220(at)yahoo.com>

 Date: 2007/07/21 Sat PM 10:24:42 EDT

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: Re: Trim failure

 

 

 

 Mark,

 

 My guess is that someone physically moved your trim

 tab, possibly by walking into it, and popped the gear

 out.  Just a guess.

 

 Some days I feel that people would bang into my plane

 trying to pick up their cigarette that they dropped

 reaching for the pen knife they were going to use to

 cut a piece of fabric.....

 

 Hi Stan also!

 

 Kurt Schrader

 S-5/NSI turbo

 Florida and panama

 

 Do not archive

 

 --- m4785(at)bellsouth.net wrote:

 

 >> hI Stan

 >  I also have the same setup mac/ray allen servo with

 > the trim buttons on my stick,but I had a problem

 > last week with my system and was wondering if you or

 > anyone else has had a simular problem...

 

 

        

 Get the Yahoo! toolbar and be alerted to new email wherever you're surfing.

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