Gear Warning Switches on a Mosquito

[scooter]

I'm going to install gear warning switches in my Mosquito. I'd
appreciate some advice on the location, type and mounting method of the
microswitches.

Thanks

Scott

[Bill Daniels]

I've always preferred magnetic reed switches (~$2) since there is no contact
between the control system and the switch. The reed switch contacts are
hermetically sealed in 2" long 3/16th dia glass tubes so dirt can't
contaminate them. Additionally, they are unlikely to get out of adjustment.

I install the reed switch on the fuselage wall with either epoxy or outdoor
double sided foam tape. Then find the right place on a pushrod for the
little magnet that activates the switch then epoxy it in place.

Bill Daniels

"scooter" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> I'm going to install gear warning switches in my Mosquito. I'd
> appreciate some advice on the location, type and mounting method of the
> microswitches.
>
> Thanks
>
> Scott
>

[Lars P. Hansen]

No matter how well you design, place and secure your switches, they may
(will, according to Murphy) fail someday. Flying for hours with the warning
buzzer on is no fun! (been there, done that, got the t-shirt)
I strongly recommend a switch or fuse/circuit breaker on the panel, so you
can disengage the buzzer inflight.

Happy Soaring,
Lars Peder


--
--
Lars P. Hansen
"T o d d P a t t i s t" > wrote in message
...
> "scooter" > wrote:
>
> >I'm going to install gear warning switches in my Mosquito. I'd
> >appreciate some advice on the location, type and mounting method of the
> >microswitches.
>
> A common generic glider installation uses two security alarm
> switches (the type used for doors and windows) that respond
> to a magnet. The two magnets are attached with tie wraps to
> control rods for the gear and airbrakes. The switches are
> mounted to the side of the fuselage. Alternatively,
> mechanically operated microswitches can be used. You can
> get them with levers or long wire whiskers that can be bent
> to a desired shape.
>
> I prefer the former, since there is no wear, less likelihood
> of interfering with the control system and they are easier
> to align or adjust (just move the magnet along the control
> rod).
>

[Tim Mara]

I've landed gear up......once..(so far :o).....with the gear warning blaring
in my ear....I was of course distracted at the time with other complications
at the time.....landing at an airshow, on grooved pavement.in front of
1000's :o) (do it with style)......with a Yellow PIK20.....left a nice
bright 2" (graduating to about 10") mark on the runway.....I've also helped
other troubleshoot problems with their gear warning systems that wouldn't
always work...bad switches, bad switch locations, broken wires, dead
batteries.....
The problem though comes from having a system that you become accustomed
to.and when it doesn't work, you more than likely land gear up....
Personally.I much prefer a good mental check-list......mine is still
GUMP'S...worked in twins....works in gliders too...
tim
--
Wings & Wheels
www.wingsandwheels.com




"Lars P. Hansen" > wrote in message
. ..
> No matter how well you design, place and secure your switches, they may
> (will, according to Murphy) fail someday. Flying for hours with the
> warning
> buzzer on is no fun! (been there, done that, got the t-shirt)
> I strongly recommend a switch or fuse/circuit breaker on the panel, so you
> can disengage the buzzer inflight.
>
> Happy Soaring,
> Lars Peder
>
>
> --
> --
> Lars P. Hansen
> "T o d d P a t t i s t" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "scooter" > wrote:
>>
>> >I'm going to install gear warning switches in my Mosquito. I'd
>> >appreciate some advice on the location, type and mounting method of the
>> >microswitches.
>>
>> A common generic glider installation uses two security alarm
>> switches (the type used for doors and windows) that respond
>> to a magnet. The two magnets are attached with tie wraps to
>> control rods for the gear and airbrakes. The switches are
>> mounted to the side of the fuselage. Alternatively,
>> mechanically operated microswitches can be used. You can
>> get them with levers or long wire whiskers that can be bent
>> to a desired shape.
>>
>> I prefer the former, since there is no wear, less likelihood
>> of interfering with the control system and they are easier
>> to align or adjust (just move the magnet along the control
>> rod).
>>
>
>

[Eric Greenwell]

Lars P. Hansen wrote:
> No matter how well you design, place and secure your switches, they may
> (will, according to Murphy) fail someday. Flying for hours with the warning
> buzzer on is no fun! (been there, done that, got the t-shirt)
> I strongly recommend a switch or fuse/circuit breaker on the panel, so you
> can disengage the buzzer inflight.

Been there, done that! If your vario is a Cambridge 302, you can connect
the switches to it for the warning alarm. It's alarm can be canceled by
the pilot with the pushbutton on the unit. Other varios/flight computers
may provide the same function.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

[Eric Greenwell]

Tim Mara wrote:

> I've landed gear up......once..(so far :o).....with the gear warning blaring
> in my ear....I was of course distracted at the time with other complications
> at the time.....landing at an airshow, on grooved pavement.in front of
> 1000's :o) (do it with style)......with a Yellow PIK20.....left a nice
> bright 2" (graduating to about 10") mark on the runway.....I've also helped
> other troubleshoot problems with their gear warning systems that wouldn't
> always work...bad switches, bad switch locations, broken wires, dead
> batteries.....
> The problem though comes from having a system that you become accustomed
> to.and when it doesn't work, you more than likely land gear up....
> Personally.I much prefer a good mental check-list......mine is still
> GUMP'S...worked in twins....works in gliders too...
> tim

I've been saved from a gear up landing at least 3 times by a warning
system, including one at an airshow! I prefer both (checklist AND
warning system), so there are two layers of protection. If the gear
warning goes off, I know I've violated my checklist procedures, so I
admonish myself severely and promise to do better next time. Yes, I was
using a check list for the three times I almost landed gear up, but the
procedure failed for the usual reasons: low, distracted, other traffic,
request from the tower, etc.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

[scooter]

Eric Greenwell wrote:
> Lars P. Hansen wrote:
> > No matter how well you design, place and secure your switches, they
may
> > (will, according to Murphy) fail someday. Flying for hours with the
warning
> > buzzer on is no fun! (been there, done that, got the t-shirt)
> > I strongly recommend a switch or fuse/circuit breaker on the panel,
so you
> > can disengage the buzzer inflight.
>
> Been there, done that! If your vario is a Cambridge 302, you can
connect
> the switches to it for the warning alarm. It's alarm can be canceled
by
> the pilot with the pushbutton on the unit. Other varios/flight
computers
> may provide the same function.
>
> --
> Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
>
> Eric Greenwell
> Washington State
> USA

Thanks to all for the advice, pictures and concerns! I will still be a
checklist user!

Scott Elhardt
Minnesota