$500 FOR A SWITCH???? DAMN!

[Brian Scranton]

Just had my Nav Light switch replaced. I was thinking, ya know, 1/2 hour labor, $50 for the switch...nope. $220 in labor and $300 for the switch. Jeesh. 

Edited October 10, 2017 by Brian Scranton

[MIm20c]

The scary thing is when you start to think, that’s not so bad. Not surprising that a new aircraft can be 400-800k when a single switch can run 500. 

[Andy95W]

And keep in mind, there's a pretty good chance they had to loosen all the other switches to provide space from the buss bar to replace the switch. You'll see what I mean if you lie on your back with your face behind the panel. Then go back and forth from that to a sitting position hitting your head on the yoke or instrument panel each time. After you start getting dizzy hanging upside down, you'll think it isn't unreasonable. 

Sorry. Rant over. 

[Guest]

$220 in labour and $100 of that spent to see a chiropractor afterward!

Clarence

[tony]

This is exactly why there are hanger fairies.  Andy is right its a pain, but its not difficult.  

[AH-1 Cobra Pilot]

1 hour ago, MIm20c said:

The scary thing is when you start to think, that’s not so bad. Not surprising that a new aircraft can be 400-800k when a single switch can run 500. 

No, the aircraft is $400,000, the liability insurance is the other $400,000.

[aviatoreb]

My autopilot trim switch went out a few years ago.  I think it was $900 and I was lucky to find a new old stock because the new ones were something like $1500.  A plastic switch with a microswitch in it.  Thanks BK.

[Dream to fly]

Do these switches interrupt a circuit in a special way?  

[carusoam]

Joe,

On/off, call it special if it helps...

The split switch is really cool.  Two on/off switches mounted in close proximity...

The switch is built to be strong.  This way in a go-around, when you are pressing the trim switch... your thumb has no idea how hard it is pressing the switch...

The beauty of the C, with those fabulous access panels...

No chiropractor needed!

Best regards,

-a-

 

[Dream to fly]

For 500.00 I would hope it operates by it's self too.  WOW...    I just shake my head every time.    I know all about the aviation world.  I am learning first hand!!!! 

[Hank]

1 minute ago, carusoam said:

The beauty of the C, with those fabulous access panels...

The beauty of the C is its lack of high-dollar switches . . .

But from experience, accessing the bottom of the panel (say, for the gear microswitch inside the throttle quadrant, or the pilot's headset plug, or working on the panel overlay), the services of a chiropractor or deep-tissue masseuse would certainly be  nice!!

[carusoam]

Joe,

the really goofy part, when it comes to switches...

the modern ones have a plastic cover that fancifies the look. This fancy cover also has a tendency to break...

The broken cover doesn't effect the way the switch works.

But getting a replacement isn't a reality either...

Hence the the few threads on 3D printing around here.

Fortunately most of these parts last 50 years...

Unfortunately, some of our planes are 50+ years old!

Best regards,

-a-

[bradp]

I just watched an IA do a replacement fuel pressure gauge in a Cherokee.  Mooney seemed not so bad by comparison.  Ouch.  

This is why there are hangar fairies.  They pay 500 gold pieces from the pot under the rainbow to the panel elves.  The panel elves are small enough to get behind the panel without needing to visit the unicornropracter . 

[Brian Scranton]

Thanks--yeah. I just needed to rant. I've been on my back, looking up under the panel. I'm glad I didn't do it! Its just amazing that a simple switch could be $300. 

[flyboy0681]

13 hours ago, aviatoreb said:

My autopilot trim switch went out a few years ago.  I think it was $900 and I was lucky to find a new old stock because the new ones were something like $1500.  A plastic switch with a microswitch in it.  Thanks BK.

We paid $1,200 installed about four years ago. Hopefully the new one will last another 30 years.

[tony]

10 hours ago, Brian Scranton said:

Thanks--yeah. I just needed to rant. I've been on my back, looking up under the panel. I'm glad I didn't do it! Its just amazing that a simple switch could be $300. 

its not, its half that:  

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/klixon7270.php?clickkey=3304902

 

[Brian Scranton]

On 10/11/2017 at 6:03 PM, tony said:

its not, its half that:  

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/klixon7270.php?clickkey=3304902

 

Yeah, but it doesn't have the sweet plastic cover like the rest of my Klixon switches, so I guess the plastic is worth $150. In my bird, it's a 20TC not a 7270. 

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

 

[AH-1 Cobra Pilot]

18 minutes ago, Brian Scranton said:

Yeah, but it doesn't have the sweet plastic cover like the rest of my Klixon switches, so I guess the plastic is worth $150.

Wow.  I guess I can charge more than I thought for those switch covers. 

[Lami]

That sounds crazy. Can't be a big job to replace a switch. I'm a new Mooney owner 1977 M20C in the process of replacing the boost pump switch, maybe all of them.

The problem i'm having is i have no idea what switch to get. There are a million different manufacturers and models numbers. 

I got a quote from Lasar for $375.00 per switch. Does that sound reasonable? I have no idea...

Strobe: 930023-207A

Nav: 930023-201A

Landing: 930023-215A

Pitot: 930023-205A

Fuel Pump: 930023-211A

 

[Raptor05121]

They are circuit breaker switches so I can expect the increased price from that, plus your "airplane tax" that doesnt surprise me at all. Of course I'd be calling salvage yards.