Avionics (Radio Problem) Narrowed Down... I Think???

Robet Coffey wrote:

relays are commonly called relay switches. soda = soda pop = pop = cokes

In what part of the world? I've been an EE for 20 years and I've never
heard of a device called a relay switch. Maybe it is common somewhere
in the world, but not in the USA.


Matt

Matt Whiting wrote:
Robet Coffey wrote:

relays are commonly called relay switches. soda = soda pop = pop =
cokes


In what part of the world? I've been an EE for 20 years and I've never
heard of a device called a relay switch. Maybe it is common somewhere
in the world, but not in the USA.


Matt
Matt I doubt many EE would call it a relay switch. I live in the
southeast (coalfields) and have heard non-technical people (myself
included) use the term "relay" and "relay switch" interchangeably most
of my life. Incorrectly so, I take it. I don't know where the poster is
from so I can't speak for him/her. I do want to stress that I am
layperson in electronics and have heard the term only used by like persons.

Come visit the coalfields... we likely have many words you won't hear
anywhere else in the U.S.!

Robet Coffey wrote:
Matt Whiting wrote:

In what part of the world? I've been an EE for 20 years and I've
never heard of a device called a relay switch. Maybe it is common
somewhere in the world, but not in the USA.

Matt I doubt many EE would call it a relay switch. I live in the
southeast (coalfields) and have heard non-technical people (myself
included) use the term "relay" and "relay switch" interchangeably most
of my life. Incorrectly so, I take it. I don't know where the poster is
from so I can't speak for him/her. I do want to stress that I am
layperson in electronics and have heard the term only used by like persons.

I've got less years than Jim but more than Matt in the gulf states
oilfield onshore/offshore (Texas to Florida and the Caribbean) as a
tech. This was the first time I've heard the term "relay switch" by even
"non-technical people"...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special...y+switch&go=Go
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=relay%20switch
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/relay%20switch

"RST Engineering" wrote:
What is a relay switch? I've never seen one. I've seen
relays. I've seen switches. I've never seen a relay switch.


A quick Google shows the R40-etc. is a discontinued relay. It
would seem like a Rube Goldberg setup for a simple audio switching
panel. Unless it fancily switches comm 1/2 with simple pushbuttons
and indicator lights. Thence a latching relay, or more Rube
Goldbergian, with a monostable and a flip-flop? But if it has a
BOTH feature, then how we do that? :-)

Reg,
Fred F.

We routinely use relays in audio panels for the simple reason that the mic
audio is a rather finicky beast that requires metal switching to perform
reliably. Trying to do it solid-state is a recipe for failure.

Jim




"TaxSrv" wrote in message
...
"RST Engineering" wrote:
What is a relay switch? I've never seen one. I've seen
relays. I've seen switches. I've never seen a relay switch.


A quick Google shows the R40-etc. is a discontinued relay. It
would seem like a Rube Goldberg setup for a simple audio switching
panel. Unless it fancily switches comm 1/2 with simple pushbuttons
and indicator lights. Thence a latching relay, or more Rube
Goldbergian, with a monostable and a flip-flop? But if it has a
BOTH feature, then how we do that? :-)

Reg,
Fred F.

I think "relay" is the correct terminology for this component. I
thought they were referred to as "relay switches", but all sites I have
seen do refer to them as "relays".

I'll have to go in and take a closer look to see if there are any other
numbers on this panel to be able to respond more accurately. My last
trip up to the airport, I tried to document names and model numbers of
all avionics in the panel so I could provide better data. The audio
panel didn't have a name on it that I could decipher... All I could
recall getting from it was the info off the relay, including the
manufacturer and part number. I don't recall if there was any
additional information???

I also don't have any idea how old it is? I was surprised, however to
find that the relay for a second COM and marker beacon components were
removed. That's what I get for buying used and having it installed
sight-unseen! I'm learning some valuable lessons, the hard way!

If anyone cares, I will post an update after I've had a chance to get
up and look at the audio panel again... May be a few days...

Thanks again for the feedback!
Todd

three-eight-hotel wrote:
: I also don't have any idea how old it is? I was surprised, however to
: find that the relay for a second COM and marker beacon components were
: removed. That's what I get for buying used and having it installed
: sight-unseen! I'm learning some valuable lessons, the hard way!

If it is a Cessna audio panel many came without hookups for 2nd com,
makers, etc. I flew many C-152's with single com and Cessna audio panel.
The audio panel has switch holes for more radios, but no switches in
said holes. The PCB has spaces for relays, resistors, etc. but no components
installed.

If, indeed, it is a Cessna audio panel, you can get another one from
Airwich Avionics. Or, you could toss it and get a better audio panel.

--
Aaron C.

If it is a Cessna audio panel many came without hookups for 2nd com,
makers, etc. I flew many C-152's with single com and Cessna audio panel.
The audio panel has switch holes for more radios, but no switches in
said holes. The PCB has spaces for relays, resistors, etc. but no components
installed.

That seems to be the case, however, I was told that it included marker
beacon indicators... All word of mouth/he-said-she-said, so I guess
going down that road is a lost cause (I've had the audio panel for
nearly a year now)

If, indeed, it is a Cessna audio panel, you can get another one from
Airwich Avionics. Or, you could toss it and get a better audio panel.

I checked out this site, and they didn't seem to have any audio panels.
Believe me... a new audio panel has crossed my mind, several times,
but I would be looking at a re-wire to accomodate the new audio panel,
and remove my intercom (since it would likely be built into a newer
audio panel). When all is said and done, I would probably be looking
at $1500 -$2000 (just a guess). If I can get away with what I've got,
and potentially get away with a ~$20 relay fix, I would be happy with
that, until I can really afford to go in and upgrade the entire panel.

Thanks for the input!
Todd

I didn't mean to start an argument, I just wanted to know what I was dealing
with. Now that I know it is a relay, I can tell you how to replace it with
a genuine Radio Shack part if you wish. Give me the manufacturer and part
number again and I'll go back into the dusty part of the library and see if
I can find an old data sheet. I can then tell you how to cobble a
replacement part in.

Jim


"three-eight-hotel" wrote in message
ups.com...
I think "relay" is the correct terminology for this component. I
thought they were referred to as "relay switches", but all sites I have
seen do refer to them as "relays".

I can tell you how to replace it with a genuine Radio Shack part if you wish

That would be awesome, if for nothing else a backup if this thing
starts to mis-behave again. Since fiddling with the relay at the
restaurant it hasn't yet failed, but that was only 25 minutes of
flying, post fiddle...

Give me the manufacturer and part
number again and I'll go back into the dusty part of the library and see if
I can find an old data sheet. I can then tell you how to cobble a
replacement part in.

I'm going up tomorrow and will post everything I can find... AMF
Potter Brumfield R40-E1-X4 was the only thing I can recall seeing, but
I'll take a look again. Definitely no manufacturer name on the audio
panel itself???

Thanks!
Todd