Landing light connector

[bd32322]

Has anyone modified the connector for the landing light wires that need to be disconnected every time the bottom cowl comes off?

Over time it has become pretty loose.. I was thinking i will put some heat shrink tubing around it, but i would really prefer to have a strong connector that either connects or is clearly disconnected - no half way loose states - kind of like the plastic snap connectors in car electrical connectors.

Thanks

[OR75]

aren't they knife splice type ?

[N601RX]

Something like this?

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/sealAllconnectors9.php

[bd32322]

Something like this?

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/sealAllconnectors9.php

Yeah those would be nice, i'll see if the A&P agrees to change them to that

[richardheitzman]

There is no reason your landing light wires should be coming loose. If they are, replace the hardware and make sure you are using a lock washer. If it still is a problem (it shouldn't) then put a dab of 242 locktight on prior to reassembly.

[bd32322]

There is no reason your landing light wires should be coming loose. If they are, replace the hardware and make sure you are using a lock washer. If it still is a problem (it shouldn't) then put a dab of 242 locktight on prior to reassembly.

I think you have a different sort of connector. OR75 mentioned the correct kind of connector as seen on the site below:

http://www.aeroelectric.com/Pictures/Terminals/knife_splice_2.jpg

There are no washers etc ..

Its the connector that you have to disconnect everytime you take the bottom cowl off - it sits next to the oil filler ..

[kortopates]

Why not use the Amp connector specified in your IPC. Its a AMP CPC Circular free standing Series 1, size 11 screw on with 4 pins (only two wired of course). Its a circular connector that screws together. The Mooney IPC list the AMP part no for the plug and the parts are commonly available from electronic suppliers like Mouser.com and are very affordable. A few years back I replaced merely the screw on portion that locks the male and female end together since it had broken earlier and previous technicans where tywrapping it together to hold it in place - all the parts are individually available.

Here is a link to the female end part no, the one listed in my IPC, although the generic image shows 20 pins, the actual one is 4 pins: http://www.mouser.co...WrnnvcxTKud1ic=

[DonMuncy]

My K model has the knife type covered with a plastic sleeve. It sure makes it easy to disconnect and reconnect them when removing the lower cowl.

[kortopates]

As easy as the knife type are, the AMP connector is much easier since a single connector includes both wires and guarantees the wires can't be connected incorrectly - while the knife type requires you to chose the correct pairings.

[DonMuncy]

Not to nit-pick, but if you install the knife type connectors with one wire an inch longer than the other, they are instantly recognizable. Mine have been that way for the last 12 years and I have never even had to think about it.

[bd32322]

Not to nit-pick, but if you install the knife type connectors with one wire an inch longer than the other, they are instantly recognizable. Mine have been that way for the last 12 years and I have never even had to think about it.

Sorry - more nitpicking but does it really matter which wire connects to which for an incandescent light bulb?

Its going to light up regardless - maybe not for the boom beam...

Good uggestions for onnectors tho.. Thanks!

[N201MKTurbo]

I bought my J in 2003 and it has male and female yellow insulated spade connectors. Probably not stock, but I'm not going to change them. The only failures I have is when i forget to hook them up when I put the cowl on.

[jetdriven]

Not to nit-pick, but if you install the knife type connectors with one wire an inch longer than the other, they are instantly recognizable. Mine have been that way for the last 12 years and I have never even had to think about it.

Even if you did, does the landing light care if the wires are backwards?

[kortopates]

Yes, my 2 bulb HID landing lights care - and I forget not everyone has upgraded to newer HID or LED lights.

Sorry if I come across a bit nit-picky. Having gone through the gauntlet of A&P school so that I can legally maintain my own aircraft I’ve been brainwashed into the mentality of following the rules which are entirely nit-picky. The guidance on electrical connectors is simple. Per AC 43.13-1B we are advised firstly to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation and secondly to use only mil spec derived connectors. In this case the factory specified MS connector does a great job, is cheap and readily available – so I personally prefer to comply and won’t suggest anything that isn’t approved. You just won’t find an approved knife disconnect despite their popularity. None of this is meant to be judgmental – only meant to be helpful to my fellow Mooney owners/pilots by pointing out the factory specified connector I found in my IPC – yours may vary. But what you use is entirely up to you. After all, the context of this discussion has only been about a landing light which isn’t even required unless for hire.

So what is an improved connector? One way to determine this is to go to the manufacturers web site and look up if it’s spec comes with Gov/Industry qualification – here is a link to the popular PDIG connectors, formerly made by AMP now Tyco: http://www.tycoelectronics.com/catalog/feat/en/s/10333?BML=10576,16358,17560,17698

[jetdriven]

Yes, my 2 bulb HID landing lights care - and I forget not everyone has upgraded to newer HID or LED lights.

Sorry if I come across a bit nit-picky. Having gone through the gauntlet of A&P school so that I can legally maintain my own aircraft I’ve been brainwashed into the mentality of following the rules which are entirely nit-picky. The guidance on electrical connectors is simple. Per AC 43.13-1B we are advised firstly to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation and secondly to use only mil spec derived connectors. In this case the factory specified MS connector does a great job, is cheap and readily available – so I personally prefer to comply and won’t suggest anything that isn’t approved. You just won’t find an approved knife disconnect despite their popularity. None of this is meant to be judgmental – only meant to be helpful to my fellow Mooney owners/pilots by pointing out the factory specified connector I found in my IPC – yours may vary. But what you use is entirely up to you. After all, the context of this discussion has only been about a landing light which isn’t even required unless for hire.

So what is an improved connector? One way to determine this is to go to the manufacturers web site and look up if it’s spec comes with Gov/Industry qualification – here is a link to the popular PDIG connectors, formerly made by AMP now Tyco: http://www.tycoelect...358,17560,17698

Paul, an incandescent bulb has no polarity. Correct, an LED does. Also, an HID has a high tension cable between the ballast and the bulb. There is no connector there that can be hooked up wrong on that one, though.

In regards to the legality of knife connectors, my airplane has a dozen or more of them, including on the fuel pump.

[kortopates]

....

In regards to the legality of knife connectors, my airplane has a dozen or more of them, including on the fuel pump.

Mine is no exception either, including the landing gear actuator yet all are ty-wrapped to keep them locked in place.

[kortopates]

Paul, an incandescent bulb has no polarity. Correct, an LED does. Also, an HID has a high tension cable between the ballast and the bulb. There is no connector there that can be hooked up wrong on that one, though.

I just couldn't put my finger on the disconnect here till now about whether it matters hooking up the landing light wires. It matters on mine, and Don's, but not all of your birds. I miss assumed it may have been because of upgrading to HIDs - but it mattered before when I had incandescent bulbs too. I was thinking all of us mid and long bodies had the same cowling light configuration. I have 2 lights -landing and taxi lights - in the cowl. In later year models they got moved to the wings, includings J's & K's. But it finally dawned on me the earlier J's must have only one landing light bulb in the cowling. I have enough hours in J's to know better. Sorry for the disconnect.