Willis, et al-
Thanks- these are all helpful.
I'm not shy about having my shop looking at squawks. I do quite a bit of
work with them on a few different airplanes- so I get top notch service and
no BS whatsoever when it comes to billing or having someone stop by the
hangar to look at something that catches my attention.
By the same token- it occurred to me that I don't really know enough about
those vent heaters to determine if they are working properly or not- so I
thought it was important to correct my deficiency.
Robert S. Randazzo
N414C
From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of willis
robison
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 7:48 AM
To: commander-list@matronics.com
Subject: Re: Fuel Vent heat Test?
1. The vent heaters are not generally controlled by a switch, just the
breaker and an internal thermostat. On smaller planes, its just a light
bulb.
2. $2.00 will buy you a can of electrical contact cleaner or just a can of
compressed air (for cleaning computer parts). and a $10 volt-ohm-meter.
3. Open the inspection port, you'll need access to the leads at the vent
heater. Disconnect the power lead and test between the power and the heater.
It should show an "open" circuit (if the temp is above ~40F).
4. Give the vent/heater body a shot of cleaner to chill it down.....The
heater has a thermostat which should close and the VOM should show power
going to the heater. (it should also feel warmer to the touch if only for
the time it takes to warm up to ambient temp.
Another way is to remove the vent heater and do the same test on a bench,
inside where its warmer.
If you are still unsure, spend the $65 to have your A/P do it and have him
swear on a stack FAA manuals. I prefer to wait in the customer lounge and
chat up the FBO secretary....
----
what was that saying...."Nothing in life is sure....less so.......... oh
well, I forget."
wer
--- On Mon, 11/17/08, Moe-rosspistons <moe-rosspistons@hotmail.com> wrote:
From: Moe-rosspistons <moe-rosspistons@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Fuel Vent heat Test?
To: commander-list@matronics.com
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:52:27 AM PST
Mike,
Do you think that it would be OK just to spray them with a c02 fire
extinguisher?
Moe
From: mike <mailto:floydgm@hotmail.com> floyd
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 7:06 AM
To: Matronics Thread <mailto:commander-list@matronics.com>
Subject: RE: Fuel Vent heat Test?
Fill a cup with ice water and submerge the vents wait a few minutes and then
turn them on. Or remove the vent heaters and put them in the freezer, using
an ohmeter see if there is continuity through the thermostats.
_____
From: moe-rosspistons@hotmail.com
To: commander-list@matronics.com
Subject: Re: Fuel Vent heat Test?
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:52:27 AM PST
Robert,
The fuel vent heaters and the lift detector (stall warning switch) have
temperature control on them so that they will not feel hot to the touch. The
fuel vent heaters (at least on my bird) do not feel hot on a cold day,
however they are warmer than the surrounding under wing skin. If you get a
definitive answer about testing please share. Quite some time ago I made a
similar post and did not get a complete reply from anyone.
Moe
N680RR
Proud Holder of The Golden Pedal Award
From: Robert S. Randazzo <mailto:rsrandazzo@precisionmanuals.com>
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 2:20 AM
To: commander-list@matronics.com
Subject: Fuel Vent heat Test?
Commanders-
Does anyone have a fool-proof method for testing the fuel vent heaters?
On a whim I decided to test them by turning on the battery, connecting the
buses and activating the L/R Pitot and Fuel Vent heaters.
Pitots heated up enough that you could fry an egg- but the fuel probes did
not warm even slightly.
This made me wonder if the fuel vent heaters are load-shed without a
generator on-line? (Yes yes- sometimes I have trouble keeping the big
airplane stuff and the Commander stuff segregated in my brain..you should
have seen me flaring at an eyeball height of 70'.. HAHAHAH.. Oh
boy..fortunately it turned out okay for everyone except my ego.)
We're getting into the ugly part of the icing season out here- and I'm going
to be making a bunch of trips over the mountains during the winter- so I
want to make sure my ice survival equipment is in top working condition.
Robert S. Randazzo
N414C
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