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Master Switch Problem?

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Master Switch Problem?

Postby David Begin » Thu Sep 22, 2016 7:46 pm

I took off last Tuesday and when I went to switch my landing gear to UP, all my electrics shut off. After a bit of trouble shooting, I found that my master switch was in the OFF position. When I turned the master switch back on, everything started up normally. I thought I had inadvertently switched off the master, but my plane partner had the same issue a few weeks go. It happened to him when he started flipped the gear switch.

I understand the breakers would normally trip during this, but does the Master Switch have the ability to switch to off when it is under too much load? We are trying to troubleshoot the problem.

Thanks for all responses in advance

David Begin
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Re: Master Switch Problem?

Postby Kristin Winter » Thu Sep 22, 2016 8:45 pm

Not with the factory master switch, but I have no way of knowing what is installed in your aircraft for a master switch. If it is a break style switch, it is of very questionable legality.
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Re: Master Switch Problem?

Postby David Begin » Fri Sep 23, 2016 4:55 am

Kristin:

Thanks for the information. That might help us troubleshoot and see if we have a circuit breaker switch installed. Why would this be a problem / illegal installation?

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Re: Master Switch Problem?

Postby Kristin Winter » Fri Sep 23, 2016 5:14 am

There is not usually a circuit breaker in the battery circuit and certainly not on the Comanches. So if the breaker for any particular circuit doesn't do its job, then the breaker on the master switch trips, taking out the whole system. That could kill if it happened at the wrong time. If you have a circuit breaker in the master circuit, it would be a change to the design of the electrical system that would require a field approval, which I am betting you don't have, assuming that there is a breaker in that circuit.
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Re: Master Switch Problem?

Postby David Begin » Fri Sep 23, 2016 12:28 pm

Thanks Again, Kristin

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