KAP 140 problem

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carym
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Re: KAP 140 problem

Post by carym »

Yes. The KAP 140 has its own TC, as it start to go bad this is what you will see. The back and forth swinging will be intermittent, but will become more frequent, until the TC fails. It's a good thing that our Diamond's are easy and fun to hand fly :)
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Bill A.
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Re: KAP 140 problem

Post by Bill A. »

Kind of - that was where my problem started as well - every once in awhile the Kap140 would initiate a turn and in the beginning I could correct it (recycle the AP) and it would work (with 20/20 hind sight I should have noticed that the longer the KAP140 was off on the recycle the better the fix when reinitiated). As time passed, it was uncorrectable in flight. Interestingly enough - on the ground it didn't have a problem even at its worst. Eventually, as noted above, the problem was the TC behind the PFD - it had failed slowly.

In my searches there was a lot of information on the servo's which is what i originally ran with - that turned out to be the wrong path in my case.
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Charles K
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Re: KAP 140 problem

Post by Charles K »

I have the same problem - been a minor annoyance as it was VERY infrequent. Now almost 50% of the time. My trusted avionics guy says it is the turn coordinator.

What are you all being quoted for the TC? I was told 1250 for OH one with 1 year warranty.
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Colin
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Re: KAP 140 problem

Post by Colin »

I had that behavior and had to replace the gyro behind the PFD.
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Jean
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Re: KAP 140 problem

Post by Jean »

Thank you all for your feedback. Our TC was replaced in 2009 by a brushless motor TC (certified for replacement). I was hoping it would hold longer than the old one but... The motor is not the only mechanical part, so something else can wear.
It would be nice if we could replace that TC by a fully e-gyro, but guess that would be a hassle to certify it.
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Charles K
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Re: KAP 140 problem

Post by Charles K »

The brushless 1394T100-12RB is about 1500 new exchange. They will take a similar one back as a core.

The overhaul/exchange price is 1150 but you must return an exact match. With a 2004 or similar vintage DA40 like mine you will have a 1394T100-12RZ (not brushless). Overhaul exchange is 975. Getting that one. My non brushless is 11 years old and about 1400 hobbs. Got my money's worth according to my avionics shop.

I too wish we could put in a digital equivalent - perhaps the part 21 (or is it 23) rewrite will make that easier in the future.

Should be getting replaced Friday morning.

Will keep you posted. I'm gonna ask to bench check it prior to return to see if it is truly underspeed or some other fault.
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Tim H
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Re: KAP 140 problem

Post by Tim H »

My KAP140 tracks and holds enroute just fine, but when it comes to an ILS or localizer it can, at times, turn into Mr. Toad's wild ride. Not everytime, but sometimes. It's totally random. Any suggestions?
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Re: KAP 140 problem

Post by carym »

I realize you're in a DA40, but I found the same in my DA42. I solved the problem by flying the ILS at 106-108 kts. Anything slower and it just fishes like crazy. You may want to try flying the ILS 5-10 kts faster and see if that helps. I also found that when hand flying the ILS it was easier if I flew at this faster speed.
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Re: KAP 140 problem

Post by Lance Murray »

Cary,

I find the same with the KAP140 equipped DA40. Anything less than 100kts and the autopilot doesn't fly well. I like to fly the initial approach at 108kts. Basically at my flaps speed so I can begin slowing down at 1000' in order to be fully configured and stabilized at 500'
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Charles K
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Re: KAP 140 problem

Post by Charles K »

Definitely was the turn coordinator. When PFD came off the red flag remained - but interestingly enough the speed was good enough to keep AP engaged. Must have just been on the edge. The new one has a distinctly quieter, buzzier sound than the old one (11 years old original). The new one is an exchange overhaul 12Z - so not brushless. Did not see where it would be worth another 500 for a brushless when the old one went 11 years.

Autopilot did not need adjusting and tracked GPS, VOR and Approach perfectly.
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