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tail light problem

 
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rd2(at)evenlink.com
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 4:44 am    Post subject: tail light problem Reply with quote

We are trying to pinpoint a problem with the rudder mounted tail light on a
cessna 172. I think originally the taillight should be fed from the same
rocker switch that feeds the wingtip nav lights (?).We have no wiring
diagram for the aircraft.
Now, after an avionics upgrade, the taillight only responds to the rheostat
for the instrument lighting (the center one). We've got a dimmable tail
light. No response to the nav lights rocker switch. The wing tip nav lights
work ok.
I'd appreciate any ideas.

Rumen


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Gilles.Thesee(at)ac-greno
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:04 am    Post subject: tail light problem Reply with quote

rd2(at)evenlink.com a crit :

Quote:


We are trying to pinpoint a problem with the rudder mounted tail light on a
cessna 172. I think originally the taillight should be fed from the same
rocker switch that feeds the wingtip nav lights (?).We have no wiring
diagram for the aircraft.
Now, after an avionics upgrade, the taillight only responds to the rheostat
for the instrument lighting (the center one). We've got a dimmable tail
light. No response to the nav lights rocker switch. The wing tip nav lights
work ok.
I'd appreciate any ideas.




Your avionics technician may have messed up the instrument lights and
tail light wires. The terminals on the bus bars or terminal strips may
be adjacent. What about tracing the tail light terminal and trying to
find the correct position ? In a cerified ship, the wires must be labelled.
Or better yet, bring back the airplane to the technician, to have him
correct his mistake ?

FWIW,
Regards,
Gilles Thesee
Grenoble, France
http://contrails.free.fr


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rv-9a-online(at)telus.net
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:19 am    Post subject: tail light problem Reply with quote

I have no experience with the 172, but if it's similar to the way I
think, then it may be a two-pole switch. One pole switches the Position
(including tail) lights, and the other pole switches the dimmer power.

It sounds like the tail position wire got re-connected to the wrong pole.

A stab in the dark, but easy to check and fix.

Vern Little RV-9A

rd2(at)evenlink.com wrote:
Quote:


We are trying to pinpoint a problem with the rudder mounted tail light on a
cessna 172. I think originally the taillight should be fed from the same
rocker switch that feeds the wingtip nav lights (?).We have no wiring
diagram for the aircraft.
Now, after an avionics upgrade, the taillight only responds to the rheostat
for the instrument lighting (the center one). We've got a dimmable tail
light. No response to the nav lights rocker switch. The wing tip nav lights
work ok.
I'd appreciate any ideas.

Rumen




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rd2(at)evenlink.com
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:45 am    Post subject: tail light problem Reply with quote

Gilles,

Quote:

Your avionics technician may have messed up the instrument lights and

tail light wires.
Quote:

This is what it looks like. I am taking it back, but also I am of the kind

that always wants to know the reason.

Vern,

Quote:
....if it's similar to the way I think, then it may be a two-pole switch.
One pole switches the Position (including tail) lights, and the other pole

switches the dimmer power.
Quote:


A good point to check.

Quote:

It sounds like the tail position wire got re-connected to the wrong pole.

Quote:


Yep
Thanks guys
Rumen
do not archive


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deene(at)us.ibm.com
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:45 am    Post subject: tail light problem Reply with quote

Also, many GA planes have the instrument lights and associated dimmer on
the same switch (pole) as the nav lights so that they come on whenever the
nav lights are selected. Sounds like the shop got the nav/instr light
circuit messed up somehow and connected the taillight to the instrument
light loop downstream of the dimmer.

I would start tracing from the nav switch and see what happened. Also the
Cessna groups can probably get you a lead to a schematic for your 172 to
help.

Deene

Vern Little <rv-9a-online(at)telus.net>
Sent by: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com
02/03/2006 08:14 AM
Please respond to
aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com
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aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com
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Subject
Re: tail light problem

<rv-9a-online(at)telus.net>

I have no experience with the 172, but if it's similar to the way I
think, then it may be a two-pole switch. One pole switches the Position
(including tail) lights, and the other pole switches the dimmer power.

It sounds like the tail position wire got re-connected to the wrong pole.

A stab in the dark, but easy to check and fix.

Vern Little RV-9A

rd2(at)evenlink.com wrote:
Quote:


We are trying to pinpoint a problem with the rudder mounted tail light
on a

Quote:
cessna 172. I think originally the taillight should be fed from the same
rocker switch that feeds the wingtip nav lights (?).We have no wiring
diagram for the aircraft.
Now, after an avionics upgrade, the taillight only responds to the
rheostat

Quote:
for the instrument lighting (the center one). We've got a dimmable tail
light. No response to the nav lights rocker switch. The wing tip nav
lights

Quote:
work ok.
I'd appreciate any ideas.

Rumen




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endspeed(at)yahoo.com
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:45 am    Post subject: tail light problem Reply with quote

I have no input as far as a correction but I am
curious as to how you found this problem. I would
think most folks would never notice their tail light.
As an aside, have you verified that these are the only
two systems involved in the malfunction. Perhaps
another oddball effect is lurking. I applaud your
thoroughness in detecting this problem. I suggest
checking all your systems to ensure they are operating
correctly. Bob

--- rd2(at)evenlink.com wrote:

Quote:

rd2(at)evenlink.com

We are trying to pinpoint a problem with the rudder
mounted tail light on a
cessna 172. I think originally the taillight should
be fed from the same
rocker switch that feeds the wingtip nav lights
(?).We have no wiring
diagram for the aircraft.
Now, after an avionics upgrade, the taillight only
responds to the rheostat
for the instrument lighting (the center one). We've
got a dimmable tail
light. No response to the nav lights rocker switch.
The wing tip nav lights
work ok.
I'd appreciate any ideas.

Rumen






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rd2(at)evenlink.com
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:53 am    Post subject: tail light problem Reply with quote

Bob,

My grand dad used to lock the door methodically and thoroughly, make 2
steps and come back (twice) to check if the door is locked <g> We kids used
to laugh. Now I find myself in the same position, I try to check (trust by
verify) all details I can think of.

Yes, I tried to verify and and isolate the problem and at this time only
the tail light needs the rheostat full up in order to work. But checking
for other malfunctions will continue.

_____________________Original message __________________________
(received from Robert Sultzbach; Date: 07:41 AM 2/3/2006
-0800)


I have no input as far as a correction but I am
curious as to how you found this problem. I would
think most folks would never notice their tail light.
As an aside, have you verified that these are the only
two systems involved in the malfunction. Perhaps
another oddball effect is lurking. I applaud your
thoroughness in detecting this problem. I suggest
checking all your systems to ensure they are operating
correctly. Bob
--------------------------------
Deene,

Quote:

Also, many GA planes have the instrument lights and associated dimmer on

the same switch (pole) as the nav lights so that they come on whenever the
nav lights are selected. Sounds like the shop got the nav/instr light
circuit messed up somehow and connected the taillight to the instrument
light loop downstream of the dimmer.

I would start tracing from the nav switch and see what happened. Also the
Cessna groups can probably get you a lead to a schematic for your 172 to
help.
Quote:


Thanks, useful info. In our case dimmer rheostat must be fed directly
(apparently), as the taillight and instrument lighting dimm independently
from the nav lights rocker switch.
I am coming to the preliminary conclusion (without having done any tracing)
that the tail light somehow got switched from the nav lights rocker switch
"out" to the dimmer-rheostat "out". Looks like now we need to pull all
connections off from the rheostat, one by one, to find out which is the
tail light +feed and to re-connect it to the nav lights rocker. (this is if
no labels or unredable)
Any comments, guys?

Rumen
do not archive


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