Lost in the Clouds- Circuit Breaker "pop" Garmin 430W

[Av8]

So N6201Y is still in "break in", and ran in to a problem this week - both directions, different days so don't feel like it's a "fluke".   Wanted to share here in hopes there might be others experience to add before I start the troubleshooting journey... 

 

 

In the clouds both directions had the circuit breaker "pop" on my G430W (com1/nav1).  The KFC 200 was tracking heading/altitude and  never missed a beat.  No other electrical problems noticed, no other circuit breaker pops, alternator charging normally throughout,  no electrical fire "smell" (thank God).  Switched to Com2, iPad in the lap really not a major event, though I did divert and land on the "outbound" leg.  busted altitude on divert, but maintained com with ATC (did not declare emergency) & shot an ILS off of Nav2 - good training (silver lining) and ended no issue.  

 

Weather on the flight was generally "VFR ON TOP" with some buildups in the 20k+, I was cruising at 8k, a couple minor diverts around buildups but not much, went through a few patches of clouds - not towering/cumulonumbus.  was rain (I was above except on divert to KDAB) and there were  thunderstorms present all more than 50 miles away - Florida in the afternoon.

 

First thought was static electricity since  buildups/thunderstorms, even though not in close proximity.  Away from home - hopeful for VFR conditions on the way back so no getting involved with troubleshooting immediately (besides had meetings to attend)

 

Flew in VFR conditions for about an hour - no issues, so launched back toward home.

 

About 3/4 of the way back inbound "home" and have same issue - in the clouds,(again - flying through top of a layer that extended from 8-9 to 10, occasionally 12 - I was at 11) this time no rain, no thunderstorms anywhere - circuit breaker pops.  smell, wait, reset out of the clouds - good - enter clouds - pops again.  Finished out trip with Com/Nav2  & iPad no problems 

 

So this weekend will be spent starting the troubleshooting journey... any leads/anecdotes to share are greatly appreciated.

 

to  the good the M20J flew at 11k, full throttle x 24k rpm leaned 25 ROP - 9.5 gph 462 NM in 3.0 tach time from tie down to hangar.  Still "new to me" and breaking in - the glass panel/avionics upgrade quote is starting to look less "expensive" through this experience (as per prior post - I bought straight airframe/factory new engine + hartzel top prop  + aged avionics and negotiated accordingly with plan to upgrade) - the engine and airframe are what I bought and so far so good there.

 

again - thanks for any feedback/insight.

[Piloto]

Typically when in clouds there is some turbulence. This can cause a loose power wire to come in contact with ground momentarily and cause the CB to pop. Check the CB wiring to the 430 connector

 

José

[Av8]

A note of update that fits many threads of late - purchase, status/quality of the older airframes etc.

I posted photos of the interior work did over the holidays - link to Dropbox anyways.

Found fuel leak into cabin, lots of oxidized aluminum and evidence of owner work over the years - all good and I know my plane much better for the effort.

My post above about circuit breaker pop etc has now come full circle.

Plane is in avionics shop for upgrades and root cause makes sense. The g430w install on my plane was poor. Poor groundings questionable placement of gps antenna, questionable routing of wires etc.

A lesson to future buyers - read the logbook for context. My airframe had a hard landing with nose gear repair, followed shortly by G430 install and up for sale. Took a couple years to sell - annuals are remarkably close to 100 hrs and no entries between annuals.

Look for the lipstick on the pig - buyer beware always, but in my case it's working out to be a good thing.

I am not disappointed. I negotiated and. Bought "ok". But initial asking price was well above what I paid.

I will soon have about $130k into a 78 J. It will have less than 500 hrs on a factory new engine, same hrs on scimitar prop, new leather, carpet fresh paint/repairs on interior plastic, gtn650, g430w, jpi 900, g33ES xponder and gma350. Exterior paint is original but serviceable.

I could not find a plane for sale with this configuration - so bought a project around an engine and airframe.

For my mission it's perfect. Look forward to getting her out of the shop, purchase gremlins behind me and good flying ahead.

[rbridges]

glad you found the problem.  sometimes the "not knowing" is the worst part.