KAP/KFC 150 screen lens replacement

[xavierde]

Has anyone replaced the screen lens for their autopilot? Mine is swollen where the HDG and ALT lights are. I’ve recently replaced the lens of a KX165 but not finding much information for the autopilot KAP150 one.

Many thanks,

[MisfitSELF]

These things get surprisingly hot. 

[xavierde]

hahahah yes, I think it's the old gas technology. There is some LED replacement for the KX165 but not for this one.

Edited January 16, 2020 by xavierde

[carusoam]

Let’s take a swing here....

@PearceBK got any ideas about where to find replacement plastic parts for a KAP150 face?

Best regards,

-a-

[PT20J]

2 hours ago, xavierde said:

hahahah yes, I think it's the old gas technology. There is some LED replacement for the KX165 but not for this one.

It’s light bulbs not gas discharge. 

[PT20J]

I’d call Autopilots Central, Executive Autopilots or Mid-Continent. Also, should figure out what caused it.

Skip

[flyboy0681]

When my KAP 150 was in for repairs a few years ago at Autopilot Central I inquired about this and the response was that the lens was over a grand. They also wanted $750 to replace the "wheat" bulbs because they have become dim after all these decades.

[xavierde]

Thank you all. I justified emailed Autopilot Central. Clearly not worth 1AMU to me but let's see what they come up with. 

[PT20J]

Check with Mid Continent. They are a Bendix King repair station and may have better parts access. I’ve found them very knowledgable and reasonable on pricing.

Skip

Edited January 17, 2020 by PT20J

[xavierde]

Quoted me $1500... I guess I'll keep the current one

[thomas1142]

I have this available, PM for details.

[xavierde]

I've emailed him. Thank you

[flyboy0681]

Just now, xavierde said:

I've emailed him. Thank you

Please let us know what he says.

[BarkerBK]

On 1/15/2020 at 10:42 PM, carusoam said:

Let’s take a swing here....

@PearceBK got any ideas about where to find replacement plastic parts for a KAP150 face?

Best regards,

-a-

I would call around to our repair partners SEA, and Duncan would be the other calls I would make. 

https://www.bendixking.com/en/pages/repair-partners

I would be interested to see the quote you get from them. 

Cheers, 

Steve

[xavierde]

On 1/21/2020 at 1:54 PM, flyboy0681 said:

Please let us know what he says.

"The price for replacement is $1,500.00 I was as shocked as you most likely are right now."

[PT20J]

1 hour ago, xavierde said:

"The price for replacement is $1,500.00 I was as shocked as you most likely are right now."

Are you sure that was just the lens? 

Anyway, if it were mine, I would take the computer apart and figure out if there is a way to separate the lens and mask from the faceplate and look into having a plastic fabricator make replacements. But, it would also be a good idea to figure out what caused this to happen in the first place.

Skip

[xavierde]

Exactly what I'm going to do tomorrow.

[moosebreath]

The box is quite simple to open once you get it out of the panel.  The static hose on the back can be difficult to remove if it is not long enough to slide the computer out of the panel with it attached. It is very tight behind there ...

Once it is on the bench you can easily remove the top cover.  There is a helpful sticker glued inside that cover that shows exactly how to proceed from there.

BTW $750 to replace the bulbs is ridiculous.  They are standard grain of wheat bulbs that fit into sockets.  You can find the part number on this forum in another post.  They cost around $1 each and are available from Mouser electronics.  One poster suggested replacing all of them while you were in the box.  That way they will all be new at the same time and equally bright.

Sorry I cannot remember how the lens was configured.  It is easily accessible once you get down to the bulbs however.  Good luck with that hose!

[Jay Kim]

Hi, if you still need it, I think I have a few replacement display’s for your unit. Let me make sure and I’ll post a picture tonight. 

[flyboy0681]

Just now, Jay Kim said:

Hi, if you still need it, I think I have a few replacement display’s for your unit. Let me make sure and I’ll post a picture tonight. 

I'd be interested, please post.

[xavierde]

Yes please.

[Mikael Thulin]

On 1/28/2020 at 5:46 PM, Jay Kim said:

Hi, if you still need it, I think I have a few replacement display’s for your unit. Let me make sure and I’ll post a picture tonight. 

Hi do you still have display for the Kap150?

[Jim Lawson]

On 1/28/2020 at 8:46 AM, Jay Kim said:

Hi, if you still need it, I think I have a few replacement display’s for your unit. Let me make sure and I’ll post a picture tonight. 

Do you have any more of these?

[Pinecone]

On 1/16/2020 at 11:33 PM, PT20J said:

Check with Mid Continent. They are a Bendix King repair station and may have better parts access. I’ve found them very knowledgable and reasonable on pricing.

Skip

They quoted me over an AMU to replace the ALT bulb in my KAC-150 and to fix the dim KAS-297B. 

Larry at Sarasota Avionics did both for about 0.5AMU including pulling them out and putting them back in.

[Q The Engineer]

I would try aircraft engravers. 

https://engravers.net/faceplate-inserts.html