Cargo Light Stays On

[Txbyker]

Today, while at that hangar cleaning the plane I cycled the cargo light via the switch near the rear A/C vent (M20R 2 GX).  The switch is an Eaton momentary rocker switch, press it lights on, press again, lights off.  Well the light stayed on and it is still on as I type this.

 

I pulled fuses checked cabin switches and the darn thing won't go off.  The pilot has a power switch button that allows co-pilot and passenger overhead lights to come on if they use their switch.  If the pilot chooses to, they can override the interior light controls of other passengers.  I guess this "master" switch does not pertain to the baggage compartment light. Tell me what you think of my suspicions,

 

1. The baggage cabin light is probably wired directly to the battery to enable people to use the cabin light on the ground regardless of any other lighting factors.  I believe this because no fuse or any switch will override the baggage light.

 

2.  Is it possible the Eaton momentary baggage cabin light broke internally when I switched it on, therefore switching it again has no factor?

 

3.  If 2 is correct, would I be able to merely touch each lead with a bare wire to simulate a momentary switch and turn if off?  If not, would removing the bulb stop the battery drain?

 

Thanks!

 

Russ

[Marauder]

Sound like the momentary contact is shorted. Did you pull all of your breakers? I don't think I have anything that is not wired to a breaker. It may be connected to something you would not expect it to be.

I think momentary switches may come in different flavors. One may be where a push toggles it open and another toggles it close. Another may be like my landing light, a push of the switch closes or opens a relay.

Pulling the bulb should take the major draw off, but if there is a relay in the circuit, it may still be energized. I doubt a low draw light would have a relay though.

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[Txbyker]

I feel stupid. No where in my POH does it tell you the light is on a timer. It turns off after a few minutes.

Russ

[ArtVandelay]

I feel stupid. No where in my POH does it tell you the light is on a timer. It turns off after a few minutes.

Russ

May be the previous owner added the timer circuitry.

[DonMuncy]

It is my understanding that the timer was installed in the R model, but none of the earlier models had them from the factory.

[Piloto]

Did you try closing the baggage door? It may be that it works the same way as in car. If the light does not turn off 5 min after closing the door and stays on it will eventually discharge the battery. There is an inline fuse next to the battery for the clock and overhead lights that can be removed to avoid battery discharge.

José

[BillC]

I feel stupid. No where in my POH does it tell you the light is on a timer. It turns off after a few minutes.

Russ

Russ,

You just taught me something. The previous owner of my Ovation removed the bulb and included it with things that came with the airplane. I think he thought the same thing as you and didn't want to kill a battery. I don't usually fly at night anymore so it didn't bother me. I'm heading to the hangar now to check out the timer function.

Thanks,

Bill

[M20S Driver]

My Eagle also came with a timer.  It is uncomfortable to lock up the plane with the light on, but is always turned off when I come back and did not kill the battery...

[Guest]

I have to check the light in the beer fridge.

Clarence

[Txbyker]

Fridge is not not momentary. I climbed in, shut the door, and it goes off.

[Will W]

It is all on a timer. It's a small sentence in the poh. Ovation flyer here.

[carusoam]

If you want to drain the battery of an Ovation, leave something plugged in the cigarette lighter.

Like a skyradar.

Where's that Acc part of the ignition switch?

O1 has on/off switch at the baggage door with timer...

Best regards,

-a-

[BillC]

Well I got the chance to install the baggage compartment light bulb today. Switched it on and sat with a coffee and cigarette waiting for it to go off. No joy. Closed the compartment door and waited again. No joy. Each time I waited at least 20 minutes. I'm going to pull the bulb again and tomorrow I'm going to sit and watch my grass grow.

I have a '97 Ovation 1. My rocker switch is not a momentary one. It is a simple on/off rocker. I assume the timer function only works with the newer momentary switches.

[Guest]

Fridge is not not momentary. I climbed in, shut the door, and it goes off.

It must be a Texas size fridge if you were able to fit inside, was it cold in the fridge?

Without looking at the wiring schematic to confirm, I would think the light is connected to a fuse in the avionics/battery bay which bypasses the battery relay.

Clarence

[rgpilot]

2003 Ovation has a timer switch. No way to turn it off, you have to wait for the timer circuit to activate for the light to go out.

[shorrick mk2]

No timer switch on the early ovations . Previous owner specifically cautioned me to pay attention to it.

[Mlasalle]

I had same problem on '08 Ovation. The momentary switch failed....dead battery. It's hard wired to battery for the reason you said, so it'll work with master off. Only way to kill light is to remove bulb, and replace switch. I leave bulb out now. Cost me a new battery, but changed both, so double whammie. LED headlights are 12 bucks at Home Depot