Electric step conversion.

[DCarlton]

@takairif these are wired into the master switch / circuit in the battery compartment to come up when the master switch is switched on, would the motor get some sort of fuse or breaker?  Is there a potential failure mode where it would need a fuse or breaker (or deplete power if it were not fused)?  

I like the simplicity of this approach.  Next best might be wiring to the belly beacon but I like the idea of it being connected to the master switch / circuit.  I'm not a mechanic; just an owner planning ahead.  Thanks.  

[takair]

5 hours ago, DCarlton said:

@takairif these are wired into the master switch / circuit in the baggage compartment to come up when the master switch is switched on, would the motor get some sort of fuse or breaker?  Is there a potential failure mode where it would need a fuse or breaker (or deplete power if it were not fused)?  

I like the simplicity of this approach.  Next best might be wiring to the belly beacon but I like the idea of it being connected to the master switch / circuit.  I'm not a mechanic; just an owner planning ahead.  Thanks.  

I include directions for a few ways to wire it, including from the master, from the beacon or from its own switch.  I recommend a fuse on each power wire to comply with AC 43.13.  I have my own wired to the beacon.  I keep my beacon on all the time and it only goes off with the master.  This way I have two indications of accidentally leaving power on, the beacon and the step.  If you do need to put the step down early, you can shut off the beacon.  The step actuator is a little slow, so some folks prefer to have a way to put it down early before shutting off the master.

The step actuator has hot power going to it all the time, but there is a limit switch that prevents current flow.  I have not had any reported failures where there was current draw when the aircraft is off.

Hope this helps.

[DCarlton]

16 hours ago, takair said:

I include directions for a few ways to wire it, including from the master, from the beacon or from its own switch.  I recommend a fuse on each power wire to comply with AC 43.13.  I have my own wired to the beacon.  I keep my beacon on all the time and it only goes off with the master.  This way I have two indications of accidentally leaving power on, the beacon and the step.  If you do need to put the step down early, you can shut off the beacon.  The step actuator is a little slow, so some folks prefer to have a way to put it down early before shutting off the master.

The step actuator has hot power going to it all the time, but there is a limit switch that prevents current flow.  I have not had any reported failures where there was current draw when the aircraft is off.

Hope this helps.

Still might be a little fuzzy on the wiring.  "Hot power going to it all the time" drives the step down and a limit switch shuts if off?  Then another (beacon) switched power circuit pulls it up?  If I've got it wrong, any chance the schematic is published somewhere?  Appreciate your time. 

[takair]

5 hours ago, DCarlton said:

Still might be a little fuzzy on the wiring.  "Hot power going to it all the time" drives the step down and a limit switch shuts if off?  Then another (beacon) switched power circuit pulls it up?  If I've got it wrong, any chance the schematic is published somewhere?  Appreciate your time. 

If you PM me your email I will send the document package. 

[AdamJD]

22 hours ago, takair said:

The step actuator is a little slow, so some folks prefer to have a way to put it down early before shutting off the master.

First, I love this step actuator. Removed my vacuum, but still wanted the few knots.  So I bought one. And, let’s be honest, the retractable step is one of the more unique features of our older Mooneys!

I decided on a dedicated “step” switch when I had mine installed and after 100 hours of use, I think that was the way to go. It does come down slow. So being able to put it down after pulling off the runway ensures I don’t have to wait for the actuator to finish when I’m trying to find a bush after a long x-country, if you get my drift.

I had my installer put three switches side-by-side. STEP - ALT - AVIONICS. So on startup, checklist item is for all three switches up. Then my clear of runway checklist has Step Down. But worst case if I forget, it would go down when I turn my STEP - ALT - AVIONICS switches off prior to shut down.

 

 

 

 

[takair]

On 11/25/2023 at 12:55 PM, Andrei Caldararu said:

@bluehighwayflyer Here is a picture of the other side. Maybe you or others more knowledgeable with the way these planes are built can comment if this looks like a decent repair.

I agree with others, looks like damage caused by a gear up and doubler added for repair.  To add a retractable step would require additional doublers that would be difficult due to the repair.  As someone else suggested, the fixed step is less draggy than the retractable step, so you would not gain quite as much speed, perhaps 1 knot.  Likely not worth the effort.