Retractable Step - Convert to Manual

[Cooperd0g]

Say you had a vacuum powered retractable step, but you wanted to get rid of your vacuum system. Can you convert it to the manual cable system?

I know it can be removed completely. 

Edited August 22, 2017 by Cooperd0g

[steingar]

Better off removing it.  I've got the manual and I barely use it, indeed it comes down for Mrs. Steingar and thus far no one else.  Just a pain to crank.

[wcb]

Have manual retractable on my 20C and no step on my 20F.  I do prefer the manual step verse no step and would not remove (just one guys opinion).

However, the solution is simple for me.  In the hanger I leave a block step sitting on the hanger floor where she is parked and leave a small call it "kids potty type" step in the cargo hold.

[RLCarter]

Could a Venturi be mounted on the belly?

[1964-M20E]

interesting ?

I guess a small venturi would work how much speed would it cost and you could dual purposes it by connection it to a relief tube for the pilot.

If the FAA would let you there are many 12V electric actuators on the market that could raise and lower the step for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[carusoam]

Check with Rob/@TakAir who made the automated mixture control using a linear actuator connected to the EGT probe...

Best regards,

-a-

[MyNameIsNobody]

So is his a Weight savings deal?  Seriously, just curious why you would not just leave the engine vac to just cycle step?  Why crank what is done for you?

Edited August 28, 2017 by MyNameIsNobody

[MyNameIsNobody]

Venturi?  Seriously?  Mad engineer tricks at work to solve a "problem" that does not exist.  

[MyNameIsNobody]

On 8/22/2017 at 4:13 PM, steingar said:

Better off removing it.  I've got the manual and I barely use it, indeed it comes down for Mrs. Steingar and thus far no one else.  Just a pain to crank.

Better off leaving the engine vac to cycle the step as designed...I would not like hopping on and off wing without step. My wife would hate it. 

[Cooperd0g]

Yes, I was thinking of removing the vac system as a weight savings idea. 

[cliffy]

If you're tall the hand crank always hits your left knee. Very uncomfortable for me. 

[Z00mie]

Mine has always worked fine. I suppose I'm spoiled but why mess with something that does what its designed to do?

[MooneyNate]

I have a vacum system in my 65C, it didn't work for about a year but turned out to be an easy fix. Somehow the cable worked off the pulley, I lubed everything and checked for leaks and seems to be working ok. I agree with others though. If it quits again I'll probably just take it off. 

You've probably already looked but if you haven't worth checking. 

[RLCarter]

I believe his step works fine but he wants to eliminate the vacuum pump which would require an alternate way to retract the step during flight

[cliffy]

I actually want to dump my manual step and put on the fixed step. 

Anyone ever done this?