Flaps microswitch change

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astaib
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Flaps microswitch change

Post by astaib »

Dear all,

After troubleshooting my problem (intermittent issue from T/O to UP position) it appears clearly that the microswitch #1 is faulty.
I ordered 5 of them in order to either have them in stock as spare of to change them all.
I read here and there on several thread that it also happens to some of you.
Did you assist or make the change of these microswitches ?

If you have any recommendations or instructions, it will be very helpful.
Also if you have pictures of the job or of the switchboard, that will be perfect.
And finally do you recommend to change only the one that seems faulty or all of them?

A big thanks in advance for your help.

Arnaud.
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Don
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Re: Flaps microswitch change

Post by Don »

I have had to replace two Micro-Switches on my 2010 DA 40 over the past ten years. It is pretty tight area to work in. Access is through the hatch under the left backseat. The S1 micro is the furthest outboard micro and the most difficult reach from the access hatch. (See Illustration) My A&P, who has fairly small hands, was able to replace my two micro's on different occasions using a mirror to navigate his hands and tools. Not an easy task, but he managed to do it.
Flap Micro's.jpg
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astaib
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Re: Flaps microswitch change

Post by astaib »

Thank you.
I will remove the complete back seats as I don’t have the access hole on mine.
It answers to a first question: I will not remove all the flap actuator, I will use a mirror to do it.
Do you know if there are connectors or if the wires are welded to the microswitch? I suppose that there are connectors.
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Re: Flaps microswitch change

Post by Don »

astaib wrote: Thu Jun 17, 2021 7:05 pm Thank you.
I will remove the complete back seats as I don’t have the access hole on mine.
It answers to a first question: I will not remove all the flap actuator, I will use a mirror to do it.
Do you know if there are connectors or if the wires are welded to the microswitch? I suppose that there are connectors.
It has been a while, but if I recall correctly, the wires are soldered to the Micro-Switch terminals.
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Steve
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Re: Flaps microswitch change

Post by Steve »

Arnaud: I would definitely remove the flap actuator assembly and replace the micro switches on the bench. I just gave this advice to another member in a PM. There are only two bolts and a few electrical connectors to remove to get the assembly out.
Flap actuator
Flap actuator
I this view, three of the micro switches are on the front of the assembly, and two are on the bottom. Even with the rear seat out, it would be very difficult to mess with the tiny screws and nuts.

Steve
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Re: Flaps microswitch change

Post by perossichi »

Ironically, I just replaced microswitch 2 which is the second one in from the pilots side of the plane today.

We unbolted the rear passenger bench style seat and rotated it to the right side of the plane to obtain access to the switch base plate. I do have access panels but they don’t allow sufficient room to solder. Switch 1 is even harder to get to thru the access panel.

You have to solder the leads to the terminals of the switch. It appears that the roller part of the switch mechanism wears out and the switch will not close, leaving it in open in all situations.

The Diamond Mx man has excellent troubleshooting advice and diagrams.

The seat removal takes some practice. You must lift up and rotate. Follow mx manual to remove bolts, there are a total of 13.
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Re: Flaps microswitch change

Post by astaib »

Thanks all for your tips.

I remove the actuator and bring it home to make it on a bench.
I changed all the 5 microswitches.
Back to the hangar, re-installed it. A bit of settings and it works perfectly!

Arnaud.
08FF99D3-15CD-4B65-910D-19BD73514E65.jpeg
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Re: Flaps microswitch change

Post by dwurfel »

Gentlemen, where did you buy your flap microswitches and what was the approximate cost? I have a feeling removing the flap actuator is the way to go and do replacements on the bench. Thanks
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Re: Flaps microswitch change

Post by astaib »

Hello,

Any electronic shop. In France we have radiospares or Farnell.
Cost was 20 euros for 5 microswithes.

And yes it is better to remove it do to a clean job on a bench.

Arnaud.
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Re: Flaps microswitch change

Post by Steve »

dwurfel wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 1:03 pm Gentlemen, where did you buy your flap microswitches and what was the approximate cost? I have a feeling removing the flap actuator is the way to go and do replacements on the bench. Thanks
Search function is your friend:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7366&p=86148&hilit= ... tch#p86148

And, the cost has gone down to $1.25 each!
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