Spent a few hours trying to figure out why my right wing strobe light was flashing intermittently. It would only flash once and every several seconds with no apparent pattern. It should have double-flashed in synch with the left wing. I switch wires on the power pack and got the same behavior. Then I switched the left and right bulbs. That revealed the bulb was the culprit. Scoured the internet to find a replacement. I purchased my LED navigation and strobe light kit many years ago from CreativAir and apparently they no longer are in business. After identifying the bulb as a Nova Hide-A-Flash (HAFC ) clear bulb with Amp connecter, I found several sources with prices all over the place. Stumbled on to Strobes-n-more's website located adjacent to an airport in Rhode Island. They had the lowest price I could find. Around $31 with shipping. Installed the new bulb and everything works great!
After 89 tach hours, my flap motor succumbed to the well documented grease problem that has plagued many RV'ers. At least, I expect that is the problem. Ironically, I had just signed off on the annual condition inspection. I cannot image that is anything but coincidence. I was on the ground thankfully when I discovered the issue. I was retracting my flaps while and there was no response when I pushed the switch up (or down). The next day, I tried again and the flaps went up but when I tried to put them down, the switch did nothing. I put a little pressure on one of the flaps as I pushed the switch down and the flaps extended. And went back up when I tried to retracted them. The next day, they worked without a problem. I tried them several different times that day and they worked fine. Geez! I decided not to ignore the problem and did some research on VansAirforce.net and found the Vans SB regarding the flaky flap issue. I removed the flap from the airplane and disassembled. I found a lot of grease in the motor. It had worked half way through the housing but had not yet gotten to the brushes. I cleaned it up nicely, reassembled and reinstalled. It seems to work fine. We shall see. The hex tool required is a 7/64th. I used laquer thinner sparingly and some q-tips to clean out the grease. I used strands of wire to hold the brushes back while reinstalling the brush horseshoe back onto the armature. Here is the link to Vans SB about the Flaky Flap Motor. Google Pittman 9234S004-R1 Lo-Cog 12VDC motor to find the motor and data sheet.
Installed the tail light and strobe wiring through the fuse aft bulkhead and got it working. I choose to route the wiring through a hole located in the center of the aft bulkhead between the two bolts located on the lower rudder bracket, drilling a 1/4" hole through the center of the tie down bracket.
Have not posted a log entry lately, but I have been working on gettting the wire aft of the baggage bulkhead installed. I have spent many hours over the last month engage in this. I have the pitch servo, stobe pack, ELT, etc. wires connected and in place. Time to rivet the aft top skin on.
