Flap indicator lights

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Rich
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Flap indicator lights

Post by Rich »

Suddenly none of the 3 lights work, as of this morning. It's unlikely all 3 bulbs burned out simultaneously, so I figure the controlling module is dead. If this is the case, where the heck is it? Right behind/part of the flap switch?
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Simonbird
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Re: Flap indicator lights

Post by Simonbird »

Check your instrument brightness control. If set to low/off the flap lights are not visible.
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Steve
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Re: Flap indicator lights

Post by Steve »

Rich wrote: Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:30 pm Suddenly none of the 3 lights work, as of this morning. It's unlikely all 3 bulbs burned out simultaneously, so I figure the controlling module is dead. If this is the case, where the heck is it? Right behind/part of the flap switch?
The flap position lights get power from the Dimming Module. Assuming your instrument lights are OFF, it could be this or the interconnection.
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Rick
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Re: Flap indicator lights

Post by Rick »

Yeah, I'm betting the left dimmer knob got turned just past the click, leaving the G1000 screens pretty much full on, but dimming the flap lights to nothing. Been there a few times...
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Rich
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Re: Flap indicator lights

Post by Rich »

Checking the dimmer is worth doing, if only for elimination. With it completely off (i.e., it's broad daylight) they should be at full brightness.

It looks like the PC board for them is under the seats somewhere. Troubleshooting tomorrow.
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Re: Flap indicator lights

Post by BRS »

I've had this happen several times. Each time it fools me and takes a few daze to figure out.
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Re: Flap indicator lights

Post by Don »

This also happened to me a few years ago.(Turning the dimmer down) The good news is, after you figure out what is wrong, it happens to be a very easy fix. :)
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Rich
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Re: Flap indicator lights

Post by Rich »

Dimmer was the culprit. It's a mystery how it got clicked on in the last week :scratch: . I guess it's possible to just brush up against it getting in or out of the plane.

Thanks all, I was expecting to have a big troubleshooting task ahead.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Rich
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Re: Flap indicator lights

Post by Rich »

This brings to mind a similar incident, many years ago. To shorten the story, I discovered that turning on the nav lights in a Piper Comanche dims the landing gear indicator lights. I was chatting with my mechanic this afternoon and he says that is common to many pipers (e.g. Arrows).

This has implications for using the Skybeacon in planes with this feature.
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Re: Flap indicator lights

Post by Boatguy »

That was a great tip. I checked mine today and the dimmer controls the Flaps light, as it should to avoid blinding the pilot at night, and when OFF the flaps lights are full bright.

But I don't think I would have known that!
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