Vacuum pump fails at 20 hours

[cnoe]

Got it! Like Precise Flight or similar.

Thanks for dusting the cobwebs from inside my hat holder.

 

[Browncbr1]

I had budgeted to replace my rapco vac pump, but it just keeps going with good suction even at low rpm.  So, I spent the money on a D2 because I figure infant mortality is more risky than anything.   If the pump is still going strong next year, I will probably get one of the engine intake vacuum valves for backup since my AP runs on vac.     Long term, I may go with a digital primary AI, as I don't plan on changing my AP...  I won't replace my vac pump until it fails though.  

[carusoam]

Having a back-up vac pump was a great idea for it's time.  90s and y2K...  It solved the fast continuous wear issues of the ordinary pump, and covered the highly probable infant mortality crisis.  

 

The challenge with drawing vac from the intake is... There are some cases of altitude where you get power or vac, not both.  Flying over tall rocks with full throttle, doesn't provide enough vac for the instruments.  Closing the throttle enough to get good vac doesn't keep the plane out of the rocks...

 

Installing a back-up electronic AH with it's own battery is looking pretty brilliant.  

If it doesn't, listen to the audio of the B pilot who turned a lost vacuum, above the clouds, into a full emergency, in the clouds, before shedding parts and shredding the plane all over CT...(?)

 

Best regards,

-a-

[PMcClure]

The low vacuum trips the master alarm in the Ovation, which has an indicator light directly next to the digital vacuum gauge. I bet I had the stand by pump switched on within 5 seconds of the pump failing. But in some planes, it is not so easy to recognize. I sure would like to get rid of the vacuum system all together as I think the King AI and vacuum pump are the least reliable POS in the entire aviation world. But I am holding out for an all digital AI that will drive my A/P. Will it ever be available? I know an