gulfportflyer Posted July 27, 2020 Report Share Posted July 27, 2020 Hi CT owners! I am the relatively new owner of N169CT, a 2006 CTSW and am a student pilot. I’ve been flying the aircraft since purchasing it in May 2020 and the only issue has been a defective ignition module which was replaced by the seller. Other than that no issues until now. When flying closed traffic recently, we saw an amperage spike ranging from +15 - +20 and the alarms on both Dynon devices (D100 and D120) went off. The spikes were not consistent and would cease if power is reduced. We immediately landed and proceeded to do a run-up to 3200 (our normal run up) and to 4000 and there was no issue. We then went to take off again, as soon as full power was applied we got a spike and alarm. The takeoff was aborted and we brought it back to the hangar where it sits now. After going through many articles with seemingly similar issues, we spent the last two days checking every ground connection we could find and ensuring nothing was loose. We also checked continuity of the ground from the Dynon D120 chassis to the engine mount and it is fine. Our mechanic is off this week so we’re on the ground until he is back on Monday, but if anyone here has any ideas, your suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Seth - N169CT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted July 28, 2020 Report Share Posted July 28, 2020 If you have the Dynon instruments then remove the left panel. In the back is the shunt. Remove the two small screws on each end and clean those wire eyelets with a scotch pad and where they screw down to. The fasten those two wires back down. Also you have 5 ground wires. 4 in the engine compartment and one behind the right panel that should have a wrench put on them. They may be hand tight, but wrench lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gulfportflyer Posted July 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2020 11 hours ago, Roger Lee said: If you have the Dynon instruments then remove the left panel. In the back is the shunt. Remove the two small screws on each end and clean those wire eyelets with a scotch pad and where they screw down to. The fasten those two wires back down. Also you have 5 ground wires. 4 in the engine compartment and one behind the right panel that should have a wrench put on them. They may be hand tight, but wrench lose. Hi Roger! Thank you for your reply. I was suspicious of the shunt as well and hope to check that today. We’re going to do a test high speed taxi first to see if anything we did yesterday on the right side had positive results. I’ve also added a picture of the right side. If you see anything out of order, please share your comments. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted July 28, 2020 Report Share Posted July 28, 2020 Make sure the bolt on the odd shaped metal plate with the Flight Design sticker that has all the terminals attached is tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skunkworks85 Posted July 28, 2020 Report Share Posted July 28, 2020 12 hours ago, Roger Lee said: If you have the Dynon instruments then remove the left panel. In the back is the shunt. Remove the two small screws on each end and clean those wire eyelets with a scotch pad and where they screw down to. The fasten those two wires back down. Also you have 5 ground wires. 4 in the engine compartment and one behind the right panel that should have a wrench put on them. They may be hand tight, but wrench lose. The shunt is on the left side dynon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyjr Posted July 28, 2020 Report Share Posted July 28, 2020 I recently had a ground issue and it was the wiring that jumped the engine block to the engine mount. I would make 100% sure that the FWF grounds are on and solid, if they look dirty it's def worth a clean up, if not for the present issue to help prevent future issues. The reason I brought this up is that all was functioning fine on the ground and while the plane was still cool. After 45 mins or so of cruise flight once everything heat soaked I would have random issues with gauges, and not being able to shut the engine off with the key. This was all because I have a un-attached ground wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted July 28, 2020 Report Share Posted July 28, 2020 2 hours ago, Skunkworks85 said: The shunt is on the left side dynon? On the firewall behind the left side Dynon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gulfportflyer Posted July 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2020 17 minutes ago, johnnyjr said: I recently had a ground issue and it was the wiring that jumped the engine block to the engine mount. I would make 100% sure that the FWF grounds are on and solid, if they look dirty it's def worth a clean up, if not for the present issue to help prevent future issues. The reason I brought this up is that all was functioning fine on the ground and while the plane was still cool. After 45 mins or so of cruise flight once everything heat soaked I would have random issues with gauges, and not being able to shut the engine off with the key. This was all because I have a un-attached ground wire. Hi Johnny! That’s actually what we were looking for yesterday. More pictures attached of engine compartment here. Please let me know if you spot anything, but we traced every known ground wire and all were secure. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODowneyEng Posted July 28, 2020 Report Share Posted July 28, 2020 ROGER IS ON HIS GAME I came across this same issue on a couple of occasions while working on LSAs. Each time it was the shunt. A visual check is useless. 1) Take pictures before disconnecting wires. 2) Mark wires before disconnecting. 3) Clean shunt and wire End rings with the brown scotchbrite. 4) Cover all parts with Vaseline. 5)Reassemble using new lock washers. Don’t use ACE AVIATION HARDWARE.and don’t forget your other instrument Senders connectors while at it. Vaseline was a priceless part of my electric toolkit in my Marine work. It keeps the oxygen out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gulfportflyer Posted July 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2020 1 minute ago, Odowneyeng said: ROGER IS ON HIS GAME I came across this same issue on a couple of occasions while working on LSAs. Each time it was the shunt. A visual check is useless. 1) Take pictures before disconnecting wires. 2) Mark wires before disconnecting. 3) Clean shunt and wire End rings with the brown scotchbrite. 4) Cover all parts with Vaseline. 5)Reassemble using new lock washers. Don’t use ACE AVIATION HARDWARE.and don’t forget your other instrument Senders connectors while at it. Vaseline was a priceless part of my electric toolkit in my Marine work. It keeps the oxygen out Thank you Odo. Are you literally suggesting to cover the whole shunt with Vaseline after cleaning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyjr Posted July 28, 2020 Report Share Posted July 28, 2020 The pics don’t look off. What I can say if the cable that I found not attached was located under the engine mount near the front wheel bracket. There should be a few jumpers that go engine, frame then frame to next point until it gets to the battery and ground block inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODowneyEng Posted July 29, 2020 Report Share Posted July 29, 2020 Just the wire connecting points. You don’t want to have oxidation between wire connectors and Shunt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gulfportflyer Posted July 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2020 1 minute ago, Odowneyeng said: Just the wire connecting points. You don’t want to have oxidation between wire connectors and Shunt Got it! Thank you again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODowneyEng Posted July 29, 2020 Report Share Posted July 29, 2020 For years Detroit Automakers used Vaseline in bulb sockets. Put it in ship Navigation lights, lasted years in saltwater environment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted July 29, 2020 Report Share Posted July 29, 2020 Use dielectric grease. Vaseline is also flammable. It will burn. Put a match up to a char of it. You don't need grease all over it. Just at the contact points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted July 29, 2020 Report Share Posted July 29, 2020 1 hour ago, Roger Lee said: Use dielectric grease. Vaseline is also flammable. It will burn. Put a match up to a char of it. You don't need grease all over it. Just at the contact points. Yep, I saw a survivalist using cotton balls covered with Vaseline as a fire started along with a magnesium fire stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skunkworks85 Posted July 29, 2020 Report Share Posted July 29, 2020 14 hours ago, Odowneyeng said: For years Detroit Automakers used Vaseline in bulb sockets. Put it in ship Navigation lights, lasted years in saltwater environment. Being an engineer at the largest OEM automotive lighting supplier. I have never heard of Vaseline being used. But that doesn't mean it wasn't used decades ago. If this was truly a value added process, I am 100% confident that it would still be an accepted practice, and it is not for many, many reasons today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted July 29, 2020 Report Share Posted July 29, 2020 Stabilant22, if you can afford it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 On 7/28/2020 at 7:20 PM, Tom Baker said: Yep, I saw a survivalist using cotton balls covered with Vaseline as a fire started along with a magnesium fire stick. My survival kit, years ago, had the cotton balls you describe. Kept them in 35mm film canisters that used to be so plentiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gulfportflyer Posted August 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Hi everyone! I want to share a couple of updates. First cotton balls and Vaseline definitely great fire starter. Second after removing right panel and checking all grounds test flight did not experience the issue nor have subsequent flights. We were already due for a 35 hour oil change and have a new LED landing light and other minor items (including cleaning of ammeter shunt on left side) to address so will definitely be asking for a thorough look at our 35hr oil change this week. I also now have a rectifier on hand ensuring that if the current unit does not test 100% we can replace during this maintenance event. Thank you to everyone for your help advise and comments here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted August 2, 2020 Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 If you haven't you still should clean the shunt wires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gulfportflyer Posted August 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 12 hours ago, Roger Lee said: If you haven't you still should clean the shunt wires. Hi Roger! As noted above, I am definitely going to ask the mechanic to do that during the upcoming maintenance. Thank you again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isham Posted June 15, 2021 Report Share Posted June 15, 2021 Does anyone have a photo of the ammeter shunt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODowneyEng Posted June 15, 2021 Report Share Posted June 15, 2021 Remove screws one at a time, clean and cover with dielectric grease. That way no mistakes reconnecting located behind Dynon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isham Posted June 16, 2021 Report Share Posted June 16, 2021 Thank you for the photo. I am planning to open it up tomorrow and now I know what I am looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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