Fried Volkslogger

Today I powered up the ship, was getting ready to stage and smoke started rolling out of the instrument panel. Powered off the electrical system and traced the melted wiring to the Volkslogger, stowed under the turtledeck. The RJ45 connector was melted into the socket on the VL and the whole wiring bundle from the panel to the VL showed signs of extreme heat (warped insulation). The output from the VL was routed through a junction box for the Ilec SN10B and then to the power terminal block. This was wired through a 2A fuse to the battery system of the sailplane.

The negative lead insulation completely melted and the bare wire also melted into the rest of the wiring bundle from the SN10B junction box.

The 2A fuse did blow, eventually. The SN10B still seems to work. The VL is toast, literally.

Now come the questions:
1. Has anyone else experienced a short in the VL that caused this kind of damage?
2. What would you suggest for a fuse to protect from this kind of damage in the future?
3. What should I be looking for in the SN10B junction box and wiring bundle?

Thanks for any input and open to any and all questions.

Mike

Send the Volkslogger back for a repair estimate - they are still supported and will likely be able to tell you what failed.

Mike