REFLECTOR: Dead Aeroflash power unit

[Chuck Jensen]

Hiroo,
 
Replacing the capacitors in flash units was discussed extensively in the
Aeroelectric List (though it might have been Lancair, Canard or RV).
The gist of it was that you can use the standard replacement capacitors.
Those capacitors will blow out in a year or two, but the hi-tech
photo-flash capacitors though lasting longer, will cost about $40--so
the census was replace them every couple years and not worry about it.

Chuck Jensen 
 
 -----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Hiroo Umeno
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 11:53 AM
To: reflector at tvbf.org
Subject: REFLECTOR: Dead Aeroflash power unit



Hello folks,

 

In inspecting my plane this weekend, I found out that my left wing
flasher wasn't flashing.  After a rather lengthy contortionist acts with
the wrenches, I pulled both left and right side flasher power unit and
determined that the failure follows the power unit that came out of the
left wingroot.

 

In reviewing the FAQ from the Aeroflash's web site, I discovered that
these things have "shelf life" where if they sit inactive for over a
year, they are likely to fail when you get it started up.  Given that
the thing has sat for over five years without running power to them, I
can imagine them going "bad".  According to the site, the problem is in
the electrolytic capacitor that loses its polarity and overheats when
powered back up.

 

That gives me enough information to "refurb" the unit for probably less
than $5 when the new one is over $100.  I am quite handy with soldering
iron and am comfortable messing around in the electronics.  The question
is...  Is that advisable?  Has anyone seen this happen and successfully
repaired it?

 

Hiroo

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