Flap indicator cable replacement

[JaredDavis]

Hi,

Has anyone had to replace the flap indicator cable? Any hints for the new to Mooney A/Ps?

Looks like .058 steel(?) wire.  Has a soldered connector on the indicator end and a clamp connector on the flap cylinder end.

Flap end is easy - existing hardware will work.

What connector goes on the indicator end? It looks like a soldered ring connector.  Unsolder and re-use?

Feed it from the indicator end? Can the wire be fed with the casing in-place? 

Thanks,

Jared

[1964-M20E]

I have not replaced this yet but if the sheath is good and you can get an internal wire ling enough to replace the existing one I would re install it in the same manner it currently is.  if there is a ring lug soldered to the cabin end the do the same.  You should be able to slide the new cable into the existing sheath.   I would solder the lug on the cable at a work bench and then slide the cable in form the cabin down to the belly.

 

That said I look out the window to see where my flaps are and I do not think I have ever looked at the indicator.

[GLJA]

Just to refresh this, I replaced mine yesterday, 74 M20F Steps (now that I know what’s involved) would be:

1- remove access panel to the flaps under the rear cargo

2- remove screws to face plate of indicator in cabin. There’s no need to remove the entire console where the indicators sit. 

3- remove indicator marker. 

4- insert new wire. It was easier to install from the belly, upwards to cabin. First attempt wasn’t able to push cable through end point at flap connection. 

Total time, including removing belly panel: 25 minutes.

 

[Ivan]

On 4/20/2019 at 12:38 PM, GLJA said:

Just to refresh this, I replaced mine yesterday, 74 M20F Steps (now that I know what’s involved) would be:

1- remove access panel to the flaps under the rear cargo

2- remove screws to face plate of indicator in cabin. There’s no need to remove the entire console where the indicators sit. 

3- remove indicator marker. 

4- insert new wire. It was easier to install from the belly, upwards to cabin. First attempt wasn’t able to push cable through end point at flap connection. 

Total time, including removing belly panel: 25 minutes.

 

@GLJA what kind of cable did you use? where to buy it?

 

Have the same problem...cable snapped, need to replace.

[Pasturepilot]

Maybe your setup is different than mine - very possible, considering I bought an airplane with no flap/trim indicator installed and had to kind of build my own. 

The trim indicator cable did have an odd brazed-soldered connector on the trim jackscrew, but the flap indicator cable was just piano wire with a terminal lug crimped and/or soldered on and run down to the flap fitting and clamped on to it.

[Prior owner]

My trim indicator also had what looked to be an electrical terminal soldered onto the end of the wire…the inside of my indicator looks like this:

 

[M20F-1968]

The trim and flap indicators were installed differently depending upon the yer of manufacture.  The single solid wire is steel and I doubt that you can solder to it.  A better connection would to use silver solder (as opposed to lead solder) but you will need an acetyline and oxygen set-up (or similar to do it).  

You could try to crimp a ring terminal to the wire but I would try to bend it in such a way that it won't come off.  

I am using a J model indicator in my 1968 F (with DER approval).  A picture of a hand lay-up fiberglass wheel well cover and the back-side of the indicator showing the connections is below.

John Breda

[GLJA]

21 hours ago, Ivan said:

@GLJA what kind of cable did you use? where to buy it?

 

Have the same problem...cable snapped, need to replace.

Hi Ivan,

it was a piano cable. If you google around, the size is on here somewhere. Sorry but I’m just boarding a flight and can’t check right now. I bought it at Acklands (50’ roll….. it’s cheap but that’s about the shortest I could find)