Guess How Long Mooney Says To Get A Rocker Switch?

[DaV8or]

Does the replacement switch have to be TSO'd and have PMA? There are thousands of rocker switches available outside of the aviation business. Usually just a few bucks. If it's a circuit breaker too, then should be about $50 maybe.

[DaV8or]

Quote: HopePilot

THIS JUST IN:  "Zombie Al Mooney" has gotten loose and invented the first jet ski to go 100 mph on 100 horses!

[DaV8or]

Quote: Geoff

Time isn't the only barrier.  Guess how much Mooney wants for the panel dimmer switch???

Wait for it...... $1,884.47 USD. 

[sellis]

Quote: Geoff

Time isn't the only barrier.  Guess how much Mooney wants for the panel dimmer switch???

Wait for it...... $1,884.47 USD. 

[Geoff]

The part number is 800344-503 and houses the dual rheostat for dimming the panel and instrument lights independently.

If you have another source I would certainly appreciate it.

[peter]

Quote: DaV8or

Does the replacement switch have to be TSO'd and have PMA? There are thousands of rocker switches available outside of the aviation business. Usually just a few bucks. If it's a circuit breaker too, then should be about $50 maybe.

[sellis]

Quote: docket

 So much for the old adage that Mooney parts are cheaper than Beechcraft.  At least if you get the switch they will throw in a free tour of the factory.

[HopePilot]

Wow, I like Mooney Aviation better already.  Now if I can get my rocker switch before I die of old age...

[MARZ]

So what was the revised pricing???

[ScottF]

Does anyone know the specs for the various switches, especially for a 79' 201J?  I assume they have different ratings based on their use, ie. pitot heat vs. nav lights vs. boost pump, etc,.  Thanks for any help.

[231BB]

Honeywell TP rocker switches (check Digikey.com), engraving for particular application:

http://aircraftengravers.net/aircraft/rocker_switches.htm

OF : '82 M20K

[HopePilot]

Today can be answered the immortal question, "How Long To Get A Rocker Switch?"  Well...it came today!  It doesn't have "Elev Trim" engraved on the topmost part of the switch, but it's as close as you can get in a new part.

Ordered:  October 12, 2010  Arrived:  May 17, 2011

So much time has passed that they had to call and get a new credit card from me.  Governments have risen and fallen since I ordered it.  Elizabeth Taylor was sitting around watching Dancing With The Stars when I ordered it.  Osama Bin Laden hadn't a care in the world when I ordered it, but now it has arrived and there is much rejoicing in Mooneyville.

 

[Sabremech]

"PMA requires a part to be approved under STC".

This is not correct. I hold an STC and I produce FAA-PMA parts. My STC took a large amount of engineering and data to get approved. With it I earned my Parts Manufacturing Approval to make my STC parts and sell them. One of the most important things with an STC is that it is my data and I don't have to release it to anyone but the FAA, not even the OEM. It is protected much like a patent.

That's the STC side of PMA. Then I found that I could make an aircraft part better and cheaper than the OEM so I dseigned a part and submitted it as a PMA part to the FAA on the identicality basis. Much less paperwork and then approval for manufacture as an FAA-PMA part. No STC required for the FAA-PMA part. An example that I can offer to help clarify this is say a Champion oil filter P/N CH48110 is what is listed as original equipment on your Lycoming engine and listed in the IPC. Kelly Aerospace makes an oil filter that is FAA-PMA P/N ES48110 and is approved by the FAA for installation on the Lycomiing engine, no STC required.

 I hope I haven't muddied the waters, but an STC and FAA-PMA parts are two completely different things. If I wanted to, I could pursue an FAA-PMA replacement rocker switch for the Mooney. I suspect that the cost to certify it versus sale price would not make it worth the effort currently.

[gsengle]

Quote: docket

 So much for the old adage that Mooney parts are cheaper than Beechcraft.  At least if you get the switch they will throw in a free tour of the factory.

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: gsengle

Um, I just read this - and I have a panel dimmer switch not working that my A&P has yet to look into :-o

So - did you find a better alternative than paying almost 2k?

-Greg

[gsengle]

Quote: Parker_Woodruff

Read above from Stacey Ellis - Mooney fixed a mistake in their parts pricing.

[Geoff]

Greg,

If you need a new light dimmer box please contact Stacy Ellis at the factory.  I have contacted the factory and they don't have any in stock, so they are currently thinking about whether they will build one for me.

I suspect that if they have a couple of orders for the same part, they might build them and we will both get our much needed parts sooner. 

Sort of the opposite of field of dreams.  Let them come and pehaps we will build it.

[Alan Fox]

mooney does not make the switch , find a switch that has the same electrical specs and fits and any (reasonable) IA will sign it off ...  Also , this probably will fall under user manufactured parts... That is how all the other defunct aircraft companys aircraft are still flying under standard category certificates....  If not, get to know your local FAA , and familiarize yourself with the terminology... IE  "Field approval" 

[OR75]

http://www.sensata.com/klixon/circuit-breaker-aircraft-20tc.htm

 

what is wrong with these ?

 

[Geoff]

Just to be clear the panel dimmer box PN 800344-503 is not the same as the rocker switches also being discussed in this thread.

[rogerl]

This never gained enough traction to go through, but for part # and contact reference:

Klixon switch group buy

[jetdriven]

Quote: Geoff

Greg,

If you need a new light dimmer box please contact Stacy Ellis at the factory.  I have contacted the factory and they don't have any in stock, so they are currently thinking about whether they will build one for me.

I suspect that if they have a couple of orders for the same part, they might build them and we will both get our much needed parts sooner. 

Sort of the opposite of field of dreams.  Let them come and pehaps we will build it.

[jetdriven]

Quote: OR75

http://www.sensata.com/klixon/circuit-breaker-aircraft-20tc.htm

 

what is wrong with these ?

 

[gsengle]

Quote: jetdriven

 

PM me to learn how to replace the panel dimmer components. I had to replace both transistors, the legs go through a hole in the bracket, and the mounting screws get loose.  When you tighten them, or disturb the wire as I did,  the leg contacts the hole and it kills the transistor.  Of course the old transistors are not available.    So after boning up on how the transistors work, I replaced them with a modern MOSFET design.    My panel dimmer now resides behind the right yoke and mounted longitudinally, as newer ones do, freeing up a ton of panel space.

 

[jetdriven]

G:

there are two transistors that are sorta connected together in mine. Test the transistors individually, and you can replace them with a MOSFET transistor.  there are also two ridiculously small fuses in there as well. And a rheostat.