Gear position indicator hard to see

[Jamie]

I have a 1981 'J'. The gear position indicator on the floor is nearly impossible to read in most situations. So hard in fact, I'm tempted to leave a flash light somewhere handy just for that purpose. There's a lot of glare on the little window and the markings seem very low contrast. Is this normal?

[29-0363]

Doesn't seem right.  Have you checked if the globe illuminating the window is still working?

[RJBrown]

Doesn't seem right.  Have you checked if the globe illuminating the window is still working?

Translation: There is a light down there! Does it work? With the light it is rather easy to see. Without it it is hard to see.

[Bob]

When I got my K, I was having the same trouble.  The bulb was out!  I removed the belly pan just below the area and replaced the bulb.  The area is very open and the simple one wire, socket and bulb assembly is simple to identify and is clear to identify.

[Jamie]

It's supposed to have a light? That must be it, then.... there is no light at all. This, btw, will be my first "wasn't caught during the pre-buy" problem. So far everything else has been working fine.

thanks y'all.

[Jamie]

When I got my K, I was having the same trouble.  The bulb was out!  I removed the belly pan just below the area and replaced the bulb.  The area is very open and the simple one wire, socket and bulb assembly is simple to identify and is clear to identify.

How did you determine which bulb to get and where did you order it from?

[TonyPynes]

I had the same problem in my F model.....hope I have the same light waiting for me to replace it....I also have a single belly pan so maybe it will be easier.

[Bob]

I think this is one of those jobs that is more time consuming if you have a one piece belly. If you have individual belly panels, you only have to remove one piece.  I think if you have a one piece belly, the whole thing has to come off?  Going by memory, these are the bulbs.  http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/airpath_compass5.php?clickkey=4220

Pretty standard bulb.  Any local mechanic or avionics should have them in stock.

[TonyPynes]

LOL  I knew that as soon as I hit post. 

[KSMooniac]

The light will certainly help a lot if it is currently inop, but you also might consider cleaning/polishing the plastic window on the floor.  Easy to remove, and get some good plastic polisher or scratch remover and go to town.  I

[laytonl]

How did you determine which bulb to get and where did you order it from?

It's either a ge330 or GE 327, depending on the voltage. Spruce has them as we'll asan LED replacement option. Lee

[carusoam]

The LED sounds like a good option....

Probably has a longer life as well.

I had LED post lights in my C. They were direct replacements for the originals.

This is a nontechnical opinion. I am not the electrical engineer. Etc. etc.

Best regards,

-a-

[Jamie]

arrg. im on travel and on a tablet. an led option? very cool. is that a drop in no paperwork replacement?

[KSMooniac]

arrg. im on travel and on a tablet. an led option? very cool. is that a drop in no paperwork replacement?

 It would be for me.  

[CoachTom]

Insure you get correct bulb for your voltage (GE327) if that is the problem.

If you need a bulb, have one in the tool box in GA-5. Let me know.

 

More often than not, it is the single wire that goes to that socket which "rotates" with the actuator that breaks or seperates off of the lamp socket and needs to be re-soldered.

[Jamie]

Crud. I hope it's the 330 (aircraft spruce order just arrived) and not the 327. It was hard to tell from the docs I had. My Mooney is apparently a 12V system.

 

Hadn't even occured to me it might be something other than the bulb. Well definitely look at the wiring. Thanks.

[Marauder]

Crud. I hope it's the 330 (aircraft spruce order just arrived) and not the 327. It was hard to tell from the docs I had. My Mooney is apparently a 12V system. Hadn't even occured to me it might be something other than the bulb. Well definitely look at the wiring. Thanks.

Hope you are lucky! My late model F is a12v system and uses a lot of the 330 bulbs. Speaking of, has anyone tried the LED versions? A bit pricey but wonder if they work. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[DaV8or]

This is a frustrating issue for me. My F has no light at all. Apparently, it never did. I have now had two MSCs, LASAR and Top Gun both scratch their heads and say, "I'll have to research what it is you need to get that.", only to result in nothing. My floor window amounts to just a line on the plastic window and a sharpie mark on the top of the gear bar that swings up. If the two line up from the pilot's perspective and I guess it's all good. Just wish I had a light down there.

 

It's clear that if I want this fixed, I'll have to research and do it myself. I have many projects in front of this one... welcome to vintage planes I guess.

[podair]

DaV8or , I have exactly the same setup in my 1967 M20F. Not easily readable, but I guess it is better than nothing.

I've flown a later model M20F I was impressed to see that light come on and the clear plastic panel had a 'Gear Down' lettering, making it very easy to see. I have always been wondering whether it is possible to retrofit that. 

[Marauder]

DaV8or , I have exactly the same setup in my 1967 M20F. Not easily readable, but I guess it is better than nothing. I've flown a later model M20F I was impressed to see that light come on and the clear plastic panel had a 'Gear Down' lettering, making it very easy to see. I have always been wondering whether it is possible to retrofit that.

I have a 75 F and it does as you describe. I did have one problem with it. The little plexiglass panel with the "Gear Down" broke. It was still available from Mooney but cost a fair amount for a chunk of plastic. It was a rather simple design. A track for the plexiglass to slide in and the attachment rod to the gear mechanism to follow the movement of the gear. I suspect the hardest part would be getting the electrons to power the light correctly. It will need to come on when the gear switch is thrown to the down position. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk