Routine switch replacement

[Kiva Flyer]

Was wondering what the opinions are out there on routine switch replacement on gasoline engine planes. I just had a Cermark charge switch die on my ignition circuit. Engine would start OK, then start missing. Finally jumped the battery directly to the ignition and problem was solved. I imagine this is another item to be replaced on a routine basis. But what would you consider routine? Yearly? Any opinions appreciated.

[classclown]

FROMECO switches. O problems. Look at the Badgers and Wolverines. Only way to go.

http://www.fromeco.org/Categories/Switches/

[jamesrxx951]

+1 on fromeco. great switches

[Fritter]

I had a HD MPI switch that was bad from the get go on my plane, caused 2 deadsticks before I got it figured out. I ended up pulling all 3 and replacing with fromeco. Not sure how long they are supposed to last but I would imagine its like anything else, you get what you pay for in quality.

[sweetpea]

Actually the Cermark are as good as the JR switches. Vibration eventually is bad for anything electrical. The fuse sides of any plane vibrate when the plane is on the ground like crazy.

I wouldn't say routine replacement but I would do routine movement of the wiring to ensure there isn't any weak joints over time.

[STLAV8R]

	Quote: Originally Posted by classclown
	FROMECO switches. O problems. Look at the Badgers and Wolverines. Only way to go. http://www.fromeco.org/Categories/Switches/

And the Fromeco switches are fail-safe.

[Kiva Flyer]

I have a SmartFly Superswitch on the receiver; no problems so far. The Cermark has been a decent switch, just not immortal I guess . I've used the old style unregulated Fromeco pin switches on a couple glow planes. How long has anybody had a Fromeco of any type in service on a gas plane?

[BR289]

I never had a problem with a Cermark switch and thats all I have used but as was said ealier, electrical components are subject to vibration and anything can happen over time....

[JoeAirPort]

To date I've never kept a plane more than three years but that's about as long as I would want to keep the switches and batteries. And always try to keep vibrations to a minimum by tuning your engine, balancing props, spinners, never run it without the wings on. I use JR/Cermark for ignition and Smart Fly Super switch for the rx. These are 50cc gassers. Never had a bad switch yet and I fly the crap out of these things.

[gapple12]

Been running the Wolverine switch for about 20 or more flights now and it has saved my plane twice. I am running two Fromeco packs to the switch and then to two FASST receivers with regs. Once, had a battery solder joint come lose and the switch automatically shared the one pack to the two receivers. Might have been hard to bring the plane back with only half of the plane on. I also like the fact that it has two LEDs on it to show both packs are functional.

[billd3]

Haven't had a switch failure in 25 years (that I can remember)...Guess I'm overdue. I think about the little critters every time I install one. Some time ago I was buying a switch from Eaton Aerospace which was used on the F-16. I fugured if it was good enough to withstand the vibration of the 16, it ought to work well for us. I wired up a couple of dozen...ran out recently adn I can't remember which switch I bought. I have been using switches from Electro Dynamics and I supose they're the same as the Cermack/MPI ones. I probably should try those Fromeco's.

[sweetpea]

ED/Cermark/JR are all Heavy duty switches. I use any and all of them.

[wallygator]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Kiva Flyer
	I have a SmartFly Superswitch on the receiver; no problems so far. The Cermark has been a decent switch, just not immortal I guess . I've used the old style unregulated Fromeco pin switches on a couple glow planes. How long has anybody had a Fromeco of any type in service on a gas plane?

3+ years and no problems!

[wylieruneyjr]

I use the JR heavy Duty Charge Jack switches with Zero Problems. I aviod the MPI's cause I have had the flanges break off, back fall out. JR baby.

[classclown]

[quote=billd3;930987]Haven't had a switch failure in 25 years (that I can remember)...Guess I'm overdue.

Be careful when you say that. I said that about one of my helis 3 weeks ago. It had never crashed in two years of crazy flight. Got asked about that, my reply was "its gotta be due anytime now." Same day, the heli was punching out inverted, I started rolling it right cyclic, and BAM!!!, my pitch links snapped off, the rotors came to a sudden halt, and the thing had nowhere to go but down. Landed on the muffler, snapped the landing gear, ripped the muffler off of the cylinder head, and cracked the crank case open. But the blades, servos, RX, regulator, gyro, and battery all survived. I looked back at my buddy Richard who had asked me about the heli never crashing, and I said " You had to ask me about that, did'nt you?!? Thanks a lot!