Wistarmo Posted December 5, 2012 Report Posted December 5, 2012 I own a '93 M20J that I bought new. It was an MSE Limited and I had some options added (autopilot, Stormscope, standby vacuum pump, rudder pedal extensions). When I ordered the plane, no one mentioned anything about a defroster blower as an option. My POH says that ,"The optional blower motor switch is activated when the control is pulled aft. This turns on a fan within the ventilation system to move more air over the windshield." My circuit breaker panel has a spot for a Defroster Blower but no breaker. I used the defroster all these years with only passive air flow. Recently, the defroster airflow deteriorated substantially and we checked out the system. The culprit was deteriorated ducting with several tears and holes. However, in looking through the system, we found an electric switch on top of the defroster control box under the pilot's side of the instrument panel There was supposed to be a cable link connecting this switch to the arm controlling the defroster air flow, and this cable was absent. Even more amazing was that we found a defroster blower motor in position under the co-pilot's side of the instrument panel. Finally, we found the wire to the blower motor capped off behind the circuit breaker panel. We applied electricity to the motor and it ran for the first time since it was installed nineteen years ago. We put in a breaker in the panel. We placed the short wire cable between the control arm and the electric switch. Finally, we patched the ducts. I now have a fully functional defrost blower and system. I am perplexed as to why Mooney back in 1993 would have 1) had a defrost blower as an option yet not tell a buyer about it, and 2) go ahead and install a fully functional system anyway, but not hook it up. Other than the additional labor, the additonal cost was one three-inch piece of wire to connect the arm to the switch and a circuit breaker. If you own a Mooney of this vintage and don't think you have the optional blower, you may indeed have a complete system that simply needs to be hooked up. Quote
1964-M20E Posted December 5, 2012 Report Posted December 5, 2012 interesting discovery I know in some computer systems when options are not ordered they are simply not turned on but are still there. I guess mooney was trying this approach. :-)) Quote
carusoam Posted December 5, 2012 Report Posted December 5, 2012 My 94 O1 has the blower system as well... Let me know if you need some info from my manual or anything? Best regards, -a- Quote
M204ever Posted December 5, 2012 Report Posted December 5, 2012 Nice story, and there've been no log in the equipment list? ... and it took you 19 years to have a look in that area? Quote
Marauder Posted December 5, 2012 Report Posted December 5, 2012 I own a '93 M20J that I bought new. It was an MSE Limited and I had some options added (autopilot, Stormscope, standby vacuum pump, rudder pedal extensions). When I ordered the plane, no one mentioned anything about a defroster blower as an option. My POH says that ,"The optional blower motor switch is activated when the control is pulled aft. This turns on a fan within the ventilation system to move more air over the windshield." My circuit breaker panel has a spot for a Defroster Blower but no breaker. I used the defroster all these years with only passive air flow. Recently, the defroster airflow deteriorated substantially and we checked out the system. The culprit was deteriorated ducting with several tears and holes. However, in looking through the system, we found an electric switch on top of the defroster control box under the pilot's side of the instrument panel There was supposed to be a cable link connecting this switch to the arm controlling the defroster air flow, and this cable was absent. Even more amazing was that we found a defroster blower motor in position under the co-pilot's side of the instrument panel. Finally, we found the wire to the blower motor capped off behind the circuit breaker panel. We applied electricity to the motor and it ran for the first time since it was installed nineteen years ago. We put in a breaker in the panel. We placed the short wire cable between the control arm and the electric switch. Finally, we patched the ducts. I now have a fully functional defrost blower and system. I am perplexed as to why Mooney back in 1993 would have 1) had a defrost blower as an option yet not tell a buyer about it, and 2) go ahead and install a fully functional system anyway, but not hook it up. Other than the additional labor, the additonal cost was one three-inch piece of wire to connect the arm to the switch and a circuit breaker. If you own a Mooney of this vintage and don't think you have the optional blower, you may indeed have a complete system that simply needs to be hooked up. I know the auto industry does things in a similar fashion to improve efficiciency in the manufacturing process. Often you will find the wiring for some options already in place, just not the option itself. It is strange that they would put the whole motor in, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did. The other explanation is that it was purely a mistake either not found or ignored due to the amount of work to correct it. It would be interesting to hear from other MSE owners who have the missing breaker to see what they have under their panels. Quote
fantom Posted December 5, 2012 Report Posted December 5, 2012 I have the blower in my '94, having paid for it when new. Use it very infrequently down South, and when I have needed it found it ineffective and useless for ice. Quote
KSMooniac Posted December 5, 2012 Report Posted December 5, 2012 Wow, that is a bit surprising, and a nice find! Sorta like finding $20 in the laundary.... Gary, how much did the factory charge for the option? Do you remember? Quote
fantom Posted December 5, 2012 Report Posted December 5, 2012 Gary, how much did the factory charge for the option? Do you remember? MSRP....$225 Seemed like a good idea at the time Quote
KSMooniac Posted December 5, 2012 Report Posted December 5, 2012 I didn't even know there was a blower in these systems (or at least an option) until seeing one for sale on ebay recently. $225 isn't obscene for a plane part, even in 1994 dollars, but I'd be pissed if I had been hauling one around unhooked! Quote
N601RX Posted December 5, 2012 Report Posted December 5, 2012 I didn't even know there was a blower in these systems (or at least an option) until seeing one for sale on ebay recently. $225 isn't obscene for a plane part, even in 1994 dollars, but I'd be pissed if I had been hauling one around unhooked! I saw the one on e-bay also. We made them for Mooney where I used to work. Purchased as an industrial fan it was a $30 part, but as an aircraft part it was almost $300. Same pn on the motor, the only difference was the DAR signature. Quote
KSMooniac Posted December 5, 2012 Report Posted December 5, 2012 That is certainly how it works.... sigh. (I'm in the industry too) Quote
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