S-Tec 30 Question

[DaV8or]

Does anybody know what is involved with changing the light bulb that back lights the turn coordinator? Mine went out and I'm assuming it's just a burn out.

 

Thanks!

[AndyFromCB]

You've got 3 screws holding the autopilot head in the panel, plus a little one holding the knob. Plus 4 more screws holding the cover once you get it out to get to the innards. Rather uncomplicated procedure. Or you can send it in to S-TEC and pay them a grand ;-) 

[DaV8or]

You've got 3 screws holding the autopilot head in the panel, plus a little one holding the knob. Plus 4 more screws holding the cover once you get it out to get to the innards. Rather uncomplicated procedure. Or you can send it in to S-TEC and pay them a grand ;-) 

 

Have you done it? Is the bulb easy to get?

[AndyFromCB]

Have you done it? Is the bulb easy to get?

I have not done the bulb, but I have fixed the internals of the knob shaft to switch connection. I'm just saying it takes about 10 minutes to take the unit out and slip it out of its case to take a peek inside.

[jetdriven]

I cant speak for S-Tec units but typically instruments have a "light tray" that fastens to the top front edge of the instrument front case with two small screws. Its basically a small 3/16" x 1" circuit board with a pigtail coming out of it, the bottom side has two grain of wheal bulbs which can be soldered and replaced for 3$. Or you can change the light bar for 60$ or so.

 

You will need an A&P signature to replace the light bar, but hangar fairies have been known to wave their wand and replace the tray, or  bulb.

 

here is one example, others are similar.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/sig_attgyros5.php

[robert7467]

Hangar fairies....... Haha... It's kindof funny how every hangar you go by, has a toolbox in it.

[DonMuncy]

It takes a lot of tools for us to do that complicated owner performed maintenance. 

[Oscar Avalle]

I cant speak for S-Tec units but typically instruments have a "light tray" that fastens to the top front edge of the instrument front case with two small screws. Its basically a small 3/16" x 1" circuit board with a pigtail coming out of it, the bottom side has two grain of wheal bulbs which can be soldered and replaced for 3$. Or you can change the light bar for 60$ or so.

 

You will need an A&P signature to replace the light bar, but hangar fairies have been known to wave their wand and replace the tray, or  bulb.

 

here is one example, others are similar.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/sig_attgyros5.php

Those wonderful little fairies...I really love them...

[AndyFromCB]

Hangar fairies....... Haha... It's kindof funny how every hangar you go by, has a toolbox in it.

 

It's for fixing my Ducati, I swear ;-) The only thing less reliable than an airplane. If I ever wanted to truly create a maintenance nightmare, I would have Ferrari design the engine, Ducati build the electronics and especially the autopilot and Fiat build the airframe.

 

BTW, I really miss my S-TEC 30. Never a hick up in 2 years of flying vs my KFC-150 which is still not exactly perfect. Going to autopilots central on the 28th of February. Now it runs fine for about 30 minutes and then quits holding pitch.

[Oscar Avalle]

Hangar fairies....... Haha... It's kindof funny how every hangar you go by, has a toolbox in it.

We have to help our faries perform their job...

[jetdriven]

Nah its like leaving cookies and milk out for Santa and getting a new bike. That was the best trade I ever made.

[Marauder]

BTW, I really miss my S-TEC 30. Never a hick up in 2 years of flying vs my KFC-150 which is still not exactly perfect. Going to autopilots central on the 28th of February. Now it runs fine for about 30 minutes and then quits holding pitch.

I've flown behind some King APs. Seem of them were dead on and others never seem to be right. I loved my STEC 60-2 before the GPSS upgrade and I'm loving it even more. I didn't think it could make that much of an improvement in what was an already smooth autopilot.

[duke]

To cold for hanger fairies here, -40 wind chill as I type. Howeaver I do have a hardy little hanger elf that is

pretty handy.