Instrument Repair
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
Instrument Repair
This seems to be my year to fix things! Get one fixed and something else goes afoul.
My DG (Edo-Air) quit on me Saturday. Got 3 " of vacuum at 1800 rpm, artifical horizon works and vacuum gauge works so I'm reasonable sure the DG is kaput. Had it repaired in early 2016 by Nu-Tec in Augusta, KS ($388.00). Thought it should have lasted longer, but what do I know? I have used Century Instruments in Wichita, KS in the past and see that Rudy Aircraft Instruments in Rudy, AR repairs as well. Appears most shops advertise around $360 to OH a DG. There are several shops in KS. Must be due to the two major aircraft mfg's in the area.
Would welcome any suggestions for shops others have used. Would be nice to replace my unit with an electric DG, but around $2500 is a bit steep!
My DG (Edo-Air) quit on me Saturday. Got 3 " of vacuum at 1800 rpm, artifical horizon works and vacuum gauge works so I'm reasonable sure the DG is kaput. Had it repaired in early 2016 by Nu-Tec in Augusta, KS ($388.00). Thought it should have lasted longer, but what do I know? I have used Century Instruments in Wichita, KS in the past and see that Rudy Aircraft Instruments in Rudy, AR repairs as well. Appears most shops advertise around $360 to OH a DG. There are several shops in KS. Must be due to the two major aircraft mfg's in the area.
Would welcome any suggestions for shops others have used. Would be nice to replace my unit with an electric DG, but around $2500 is a bit steep!
OLE POKEY
170C
Director:
2012-2018
170C
Director:
2012-2018
- ghostflyer
- Posts: 1406
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:06 am
Re: Instrument Repair
How about fitting a Garmin G5 ,no vacuum issues,no moving parts costs about the same as a electric Dg.
- Ryan Smith
- Posts: 1210
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:26 am
Re: Instrument Repair
Because fixing a vacuum DG is about $2300 less...ghostflyer wrote:How about fitting a Garmin G5 ,no vacuum issues,no moving parts costs about the same as a electric Dg.
Re: Instrument Repair
Frank, it might not be evident but if you open up the vacuum system for a gyro repair/replacement it's generally considered good practice (and usually a warranty-requirement) that the system filter also be replaced. That might explain the short life of the last overhaul... or it might simply be poor luck. Who knows...
... anyway, my personal favorite shop is Aircraft Quality Instruments in Wichita, KS
http://flyaqi.com/
(800) 942-9938
(family operation, former combat allies in Viet Nam) Excellent work and turn-around and also one of the very few who will still overhaul AN gyros.
... anyway, my personal favorite shop is Aircraft Quality Instruments in Wichita, KS
http://flyaqi.com/
(800) 942-9938
(family operation, former combat allies in Viet Nam) Excellent work and turn-around and also one of the very few who will still overhaul AN gyros.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
Re: Instrument Repair
Second George’S pick. One instrument they fixed for me was damaged in shipping and they repaired that plus shipping with no further cost to me
Jim McIntosh..
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
- sfarringer
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 10:49 pm
Re: Instrument Repair
Doesn't 3 inches of vacuum seem a little low?
I thought gyros were meant to have at least 4.5 inches?
I thought gyros were meant to have at least 4.5 inches?
Ragwing S/N 18073
Re: Instrument Repair
Modern, 3-1/8" so-called "pictorial" gyros do require more vacuum than the original AN types. 4.5 vs 3.5 approx.sfarringer wrote:Doesn't 3 inches of vacuum seem a little low?
I thought gyros were meant to have at least 4.5 inches?
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
Re: Instrument Repair
The 3” of vacuum was sitting outside my hangar at 1800 rpm. Next day or so
I’ll fly it to see what I get in flight at normal rpm (2500).
Thanks for the repair shop suggestions.
I’ll fly it to see what I get in flight at normal rpm (2500).
Thanks for the repair shop suggestions.
OLE POKEY
170C
Director:
2012-2018
170C
Director:
2012-2018
- cessna170bdriver
- Posts: 4068
- Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 5:13 pm
Re: Instrument Repair
A bit off topic but, George, do you have any hard data on the CFM flows required by the modern vs. AN gyros? (Vacuum pressure is only part of the equation...)gahorn wrote:...
Modern, 3-1/8" so-called "pictorial" gyros do require more vacuum than the original AN types. 4.5 vs 3.5 approx.
Miles
“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
Re: Instrument Repair
I'm not at home (again) so cannot access my instrument repair data today. I'm trying to determine what you are seeking, Miles.
Considering the physical restraints of modern gyros should give us a clue, however. It seems to me that the inlet size of those instruments, factored by the vacuum recommendation of the instrument mfr's is what would define the CFM which flows thru it.
Considering the physical restraints of modern gyros should give us a clue, however. It seems to me that the inlet size of those instruments, factored by the vacuum recommendation of the instrument mfr's is what would define the CFM which flows thru it.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.