DonMuncy

Cmon guys. I developed an electronic timer for this very problem. I can give you schematics or I can build you one. It technically requires an A&P to install, but any semi-competent hangar elf can do it.

Naturally, only do it when the fuel level is below the sending unit hole. Someone else will have to tell you how many gallons that is.

Easy to change the gasket. Watch out for the washers, screws etc. If not done properly, the fuel level indication will be screwed up.

Thanks for all the input.

I just cleaned all the contact points and naturally it works fine. I smeared them lightly with petroleum jelly. It still works. If someone will remind me, I will report back in 6 months.

I agree. In the last 15 years or so, I have actually used mine once; and that was checking with the tower while waiting around for a clearance to leave in the midst of a bunch of planes. But if one really needed it, it would be well worth all the trouble.

I send a reminder to myself every 6 months to check the voltage of the batteries in my hand-held nav-com. The last couple of times, the batteries tested good, but then the radio would not turn on. After cleaning all the contacts (remember, there are about 25 different contact areas, what with 8 batteries etc.) it worked fine. Is there any product that can be applied to each of the contact points that is conductive and will deter what I perceive to be minor corrosion, causing the problem.

Looks great

Funny you should post about tow units at this time. I am in the process of building one of my tugs for another Mooney owner right now. Take a look at my album and see what you think of my design. I gladly share my plans etc., or I can build you one.

I won't argue with people who use alternative methods of assuring their battery is up to snuff, but as I understand it, a battery capacity test is necessary at each annual (and is the best test to determine whether your battery will provide you juice enough to run your instruments long enough if you have an alternator/generator failure). As others have pointed out, most IAs do not do capacity checks at annual. The equipment to do the test properly is expensive, primarily because it takes some pretty sophisticated stuff to maintain a constant amperage, because the amp draw constantly changes as the voltage changes. I built a relatively inexpensive but admittedly not super accurate tester, using two 6 amp bulbs to draw the battery down. But (assuming the bulb labels are accurate) when the voltage is above 12, the amp draw will be high, and when the voltage drops below 12, the draw is increasing lower. Good enough for government work? Who knows.

If you are asking if you can rent the plane from yourself (or from your own LLC), for $500 per hour and let your passenger pay you $250 for an hour flight, I would bet a lot of money, it would not work legally.

Thanks, but I already solved the problem.

I was in Addison last night and prior to their fireworks show, they had some air-show activity. I saw what I thought might have been a pair of Mooneys flying in formation. Was that any of our group?

Very good idea. Why didn't I think of that.

Actually, my girl friend was describing the difficulty of having to get a step stool to get to the upper shelf of her kitchen spice rack. I thought that if I could design a upper cabinet with an inner box (open on the sides) attached to a pivoting mechanism, I could attach a cabinet door to the inner box. Then rather than swinging the door open, you could "hinge" the door/inner box down, and access it from the side. Hard to describe. Hope that helps. If I can get it done, I can post a picture or video.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'm still working on it. It is manual, not motorized.

Will you genius engineering types indulge me with a totally non-aviation problem. I need a mechanism which can be mounted on the side or sides of a box (or perhaps better, the back of the box), to swing it in an arc, out approximately 12 inches and down approximately 18 inches. It should stay in the top position until needed, and then be capable of being moved to the down position. It will need (I think) (1) some sort of "over center" device so it doesn't fall until given a pull, (2) a mechanism to either add friction so it doesn't fall once it starts down, or a spring mechanism to relieve the forces as it goes up and down. I anticipate the total weight of the box and its contents to be about 10 to 15 pounds. Anyone have any ideas?

Yes, but since I wanted 3 inch ones anyway I went ahead and made them 3 inch.

Here's hoping for a happy outcome.

Thanks guys.

Who is it that makes the new modified door and side panels for Mooneys

Much like GSXRpilot, I would trade my 231 for an Encore, but not much else.

I do not dispute that Mooney has had a lot of problems, and the future is far from guaranteed, but there has never been a time when all of the employees were laid off. At this time, the company is active and making parts. They are working on trying to start up production.

The timer I designed is set for 10 to 12 minutes.

I agree, but try telling that to Signature; or for that matter, Ambassador at my home drome.