gear up warning trip switch

[HGXC[_4_]]

I broke the gear up warning trip switch on my glider. It was positioned near the landing gear mechanism and had a wire that actuated a warning sound.

Des anyone know a source for a replacement?

Thanks,

Dennis DC

[Vernon Brown]

At 16:48 20 October 2016, HGXC wrote:
>I broke the gear up warning trip switch on my glider. It was positioned
>near the landing gear mechanism and had a wire that actuated a warning
>sound.
>
>Des anyone know a source for a replacement?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Dennis DC
>



You didn’t say what type of switch was been use, I presume it is a micro
switch, so contact has to be made to actuate it, why not use a reed switch,
actuate by a small magnet in close proximity, no need to physically make
contact.
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/reed-switches/5309009/

[Craig Funston]

On Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 9:48:44 AM UTC-7, HGXC wrote:
> I broke the gear up warning trip switch on my glider. It was positioned near the landing gear mechanism and had a wire that actuated a warning sound.
>
> Des anyone know a source for a replacement?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dennis DC

Mouser http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=microswitch

or

Digikey http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/switches?k=microswitch&newproducts=1

There's also a ton of them in things like retired (junked) copiers and other electronic equipment.

Cheers,
7Q

[Vernon Brown]

At 18:13 20 October 2016, Craig Funston wrote:
>On Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 9:48:44 AM UTC-7, HGXC wrote:
>> I broke the gear up warning trip switch on my glider. It was positioned
>near the landing gear mechanism and had a wire that actuated a warning
>sound.
>>
>> Des anyone know a source for a replacement?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Dennis DC
>
>Mouser http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=microswitch
>
>or
>
>Digikey
>http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/switches?k=microswitch&newproducts=1
>
>There's also a ton of them in things like retired (junked) copiers and
>other electronic equipment.
>
>Cheers,
>7Q
>

The idea is to avoid micro switches, I have had a lever fall off one in
flight, so had to fly with the wheel down for the rest of the flight to
stop the rackets from the buzzer, so use a reed switch, no physical contact
is needed, when the magnet is moved close to the reed it operate, the reed
could replace your micro switch, and the magnet where the actuator was.

[bumper[_4_]]

If you use a magnetic reed switch, there's some more things to consider.

First you'll need to determine if the gear warning sounds when the switch is open, or closed. Both types of switch are available, with magnet present a switch may be closed (the most common type of reed switch) or it may be open with the magnet present (there being a tiny biasing magnet within the switch that closes the reed when the external magnet is moved away.

Then there are "wide gap" reed switches too. These are magnet polarity sensitive, so the external magnet needs to be positioned so the correct pole approaches the switch (these switches will still operate if the external magnet is positioned incorrectly - they will just revert to a very small gap).

If the magnet is to be mounted on steel (as in tubing etc.) then better performance will be had if the magnet is not mounted directly to the steel.

[HGXC[_4_]]

On Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 12:48:44 PM UTC-4, HGXC wrote:
> I broke the gear up warning trip switch on my glider. It was positioned near the landing gear mechanism and had a wire that actuated a warning sound.
>
> Des anyone know a source for a replacement?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dennis DC

My current set up is for a micro. I was just going to duplicate what was there. I'm not sure how to set up the reed?

Dennis DC

[Dan Marotta]

I have a complete system, never installed, that I picked up somewhere
back in the early 90s. It includes two micro switches, a battery
connector for a 9-v radio battery, a piezo horn, and an ON/OFF switch.
It's all wired together, but can be taken apart to use a switch in your
own installation. Frankly, I'd wire it into ship's power without a
switch. Just one more thing to forget.

Send me your address and I'll send it to you for free (assuming I can
locate it, I think I know where it is). I'll need postage if you're not
in the US.

Dan

On 10/20/2016 6:48 PM, HGXC wrote:
> On Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 12:48:44 PM UTC-4, HGXC wrote:
>> I broke the gear up warning trip switch on my glider. It was positioned near the landing gear mechanism and had a wire that actuated a warning sound.
>>
>> Des anyone know a source for a replacement?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Dennis DC
> My current set up is for a micro. I was just going to duplicate what was there. I'm not sure how to set up the reed?
>
> Dennis DC

--
Dan, 5J

[[email protected]]

I have a switch - took the battery out of it a long time ago.

I have a butterfly hair clip - I put it on the release knob (actually a string) - when I release I pull up the grear and I move it to the spoiler handle - when I am landing I lower the gear and move it back to the release knob :)

Works GREAT!

WH

[Dan Marotta]

Sorry, I've scoured my hangar and can not find the switches I offered to
give away. I must have given them away to the person who bought my last
glider.

Dan

On 10/21/2016 9:25 AM, Dan Marotta wrote:
> I have a complete system, never installed, that I picked up somewhere
> back in the early 90s. It includes two micro switches, a battery
> connector for a 9-v radio battery, a piezo horn, and an ON/OFF
> switch. It's all wired together, but can be taken apart to use a
> switch in your own installation. Frankly, I'd wire it into ship's
> power without a switch. Just one more thing to forget.
>
> Send me your address and I'll send it to you for free (assuming I can
> locate it, I think I know where it is). I'll need postage if you're
> not in the US.
>
> Dan
>
> On 10/20/2016 6:48 PM, HGXC wrote:
>> On Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 12:48:44 PM UTC-4, HGXC wrote:
>>> I broke the gear up warning trip switch on my glider. It was
>>> positioned near the landing gear mechanism and had a wire that
>>> actuated a warning sound.
>>>
>>> Des anyone know a source for a replacement?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Dennis DC
>> My current set up is for a micro. I was just going to duplicate what
>> was there. I'm not sure how to set up the reed?
>>
>> Dennis DC
>

--
Dan, 5J

[HGXC[_4_]]

On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 5:39:55 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
> Sorry, I've scoured my hangar and can not find the switches I offered to
> give away. I must have given them away to the person who bought my last
> glider.
>
> Dan
>
> On 10/21/2016 9:25 AM, Dan Marotta wrote:
> > I have a complete system, never installed, that I picked up somewhere
> > back in the early 90s. It includes two micro switches, a battery
> > connector for a 9-v radio battery, a piezo horn, and an ON/OFF
> > switch. It's all wired together, but can be taken apart to use a
> > switch in your own installation. Frankly, I'd wire it into ship's
> > power without a switch. Just one more thing to forget.
> >
> > Send me your address and I'll send it to you for free (assuming I can
> > locate it, I think I know where it is). I'll need postage if you're
> > not in the US.
> >
> > Dan
> >
> > On 10/20/2016 6:48 PM, HGXC wrote:
> >> On Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 12:48:44 PM UTC-4, HGXC wrote:
> >>> I broke the gear up warning trip switch on my glider. It was
> >>> positioned near the landing gear mechanism and had a wire that
> >>> actuated a warning sound.
> >>>
> >>> Des anyone know a source for a replacement?
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>> Dennis DC
> >> My current set up is for a micro. I was just going to duplicate what
> >> was there. I'm not sure how to set up the reed?
> >>
> >> Dennis DC
> >
>
> --
> Dan, 5J

Thank you Dan, that is a very generous gesture and I truly appreciate it. I have a L-nav as one of my flight computers and as I understand my manual it also can be used as a gear up warning but. I don;t understand how to use it. I also have thought about the opportunity for the switch failing and having to fly with gear down.

Since my knowledge of how the wiring is weak I choose to just replace the existing switch.

Thanks again Dan,

Dennis

[[email protected]]

BIG WARNING on using L-Nav as your gear warning system.
You only have one volume knob and it controls volume for ALL functions, en mass.
If you like to turn down the volume of your vario when entering the pattern to land, you will be turning down the volume of your gear warning alarm also.

Major strong point of newer systems, like the S80, is that volume adjustment is distinct for each alarm or audio function. Thus, if you turn down the volume of the vario when entering the pattern the volume of the gear warning will not be affected.

[Dan Marotta]

Wish I could have helped.

But don't fly with your gear down - you may just retract it in the
pattern before landing then. In the Air Force it was mandatory to give
a gear check call over the radio to receive landing clearance. Get into
the habit of using a written checklist which includes a gear check and
make that radio call. And look at the gear lever before making the call
and afterwards, as well. It takes less than a second. And make sure
the Up and Down positions are clearly labeled so there's no confusion
should you get into a rush.

Dan

On 10/21/2016 5:36 PM, HGXC wrote:
> On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 5:39:55 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
>> Sorry, I've scoured my hangar and can not find the switches I offered to
>> give away. I must have given them away to the person who bought my last
>> glider.
>>
>> Dan
>>
>> On 10/21/2016 9:25 AM, Dan Marotta wrote:
>>> I have a complete system, never installed, that I picked up somewhere
>>> back in the early 90s. It includes two micro switches, a battery
>>> connector for a 9-v radio battery, a piezo horn, and an ON/OFF
>>> switch. It's all wired together, but can be taken apart to use a
>>> switch in your own installation. Frankly, I'd wire it into ship's
>>> power without a switch. Just one more thing to forget.
>>>
>>> Send me your address and I'll send it to you for free (assuming I can
>>> locate it, I think I know where it is). I'll need postage if you're
>>> not in the US.
>>>
>>> Dan
>>>
>>> On 10/20/2016 6:48 PM, HGXC wrote:
>>>> On Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 12:48:44 PM UTC-4, HGXC wrote:
>>>>> I broke the gear up warning trip switch on my glider. It was
>>>>> positioned near the landing gear mechanism and had a wire that
>>>>> actuated a warning sound.
>>>>>
>>>>> Des anyone know a source for a replacement?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>
>>>>> Dennis DC
>>>> My current set up is for a micro. I was just going to duplicate what
>>>> was there. I'm not sure how to set up the reed?
>>>>
>>>> Dennis DC
>> --
>> Dan, 5J
> Thank you Dan, that is a very generous gesture and I truly appreciate it. I have a L-nav as one of my flight computers and as I understand my manual it also can be used as a gear up warning but. I don;t understand how to use it. I also have thought about the opportunity for the switch failing and having to fly with gear down.
>
> Since my knowledge of how the wiring is weak I choose to just replace the existing switch.
>
> Thanks again Dan,
>
> Dennis

--
Dan, 5J

[kirk.stant]

On Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 9:56:15 AM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:
> Wish I could have helped.
>
> But don't fly with your gear down - you may just retract it in the
> pattern before landing then. In the Air Force it was mandatory to give
> a gear check call over the radio to receive landing clearance. Get into
> the habit of using a written checklist which includes a gear check and
> make that radio call. And look at the gear lever before making the call
> and afterwards, as well. It takes less than a second. And make sure
> the Up and Down positions are clearly labeled so there's no confusion
> should you get into a rush.
>
> Dan

If I can add to Dan's excellent advice, make it a habit to retract the gear immediately after releasing from tow - and checking it! I bet everybody flying a retract gear glider has had the experience of getting distracted when releasing and forgetting, usually leading to a friend asking on the radio if there is a reason your gear is hanging! But I have also seen a pilot (in a new glider) cross over the field after an XC flight, with the gear obviously still down, then RETRACT IT on downwind. A quick radio call from the ground corrected the problem, fortunately, before an expensive short landing roll/slide.

Even better, IMO, if you have a nose hook, is to retract the gear while still on tow. I bring up my wheel passing through 1000' on tow; one less thing to worry about when releasing low into a tight little thermal...

Cheers,

Kirk
66

[Bruce Hoult]

On Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 6:49:38 PM UTC+3, kirk.stant wrote:
> On Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 9:56:15 AM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:
> > Wish I could have helped.
> >
> > But don't fly with your gear down - you may just retract it in the
> > pattern before landing then. In the Air Force it was mandatory to give
> > a gear check call over the radio to receive landing clearance. Get into
> > the habit of using a written checklist which includes a gear check and
> > make that radio call. And look at the gear lever before making the call
> > and afterwards, as well. It takes less than a second. And make sure
> > the Up and Down positions are clearly labeled so there's no confusion
> > should you get into a rush.
> >
> > Dan
>
> If I can add to Dan's excellent advice, make it a habit to retract the gear immediately after releasing from tow - and checking it! I bet everybody flying a retract gear glider has had the experience of getting distracted when releasing and forgetting, usually leading to a friend asking on the radio if there is a reason your gear is hanging! But I have also seen a pilot (in a new glider) cross over the field after an XC flight, with the gear obviously still down, then RETRACT IT on downwind. A quick radio call from the ground corrected the problem, fortunately, before an expensive short landing roll/slide.
>
> Even better, IMO, if you have a nose hook, is to retract the gear while still on tow. I bring up my wheel passing through 1000' on tow; one less thing to worry about when releasing low into a tight little thermal...

I saw a very experienced national champion (or near to it) kind of guy land gear up after a several hour soaring flight. During the tow he'd been asked if it was ok for the trainee tow pilot to practice descending on tow (with compensation on the tow time) and this had somehow led to him forgetting to put the gear up.

[[email protected]]

I second Kirk's, suggestion. I bring mine up at 200' as the reminder for the impossible turn:)

[Craig Funston]

Dennis,
Send me a picture of the switch you need to replace along with some rough dimensions. I've got a bin of switches that might hold something close enough to be a replacement. Reed switches are a fine solution too, but if you're just looking to replace what you have let me know by PM. nimbus3mail at giant search domain mail service dot com

Cheers,
Craig

[HGXC[_4_]]

On Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 2:27:43 PM UTC-4, Craig Funston wrote:
> Dennis,
> Send me a picture of the switch you need to replace along with some rough dimensions. I've got a bin of switches that might hold something close enough to be a replacement. Reed switches are a fine solution too, but if you're just looking to replace what you have let me know by PM. nimbus3mail at giant search domain mail service dot com
>
> Cheers,
> Craig

Hi Craig,

I hope to have a chance to do this tomorrow. I will get back to you.

THX,

Dennis

[HGXC[_4_]]

On Monday, October 24, 2016 at 8:51:14 AM UTC-4, HGXC wrote:
> On Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 2:27:43 PM UTC-4, Craig Funston wrote:
> > Dennis,
> > Send me a picture of the switch you need to replace along with some rough dimensions. I've got a bin of switches that might hold something close enough to be a replacement. Reed switches are a fine solution too, but if you're just looking to replace what you have let me know by PM. nimbus3mail at giant search domain mail service dot com
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Craig
>
> Hi Craig,
>
> I hope to have a chance to do this tomorrow. I will get back to you.
>
> THX,
>
> Dennis

Hi Craig,

Did you receive the email I sent you with photo?

Just want top make sure i used the correct address.

THX,

Dennis