During our most recent 100 hour inspection we performed everyones favorite AD, the infamous Bendix ignition switch "Turn it off and make sure it turns off" check. Low and behold...it didn't. After a lot of research I found I had four options:
I ordered the panel, which comes with the panel, electrical hardware, and a thumb drive containing the STC and paperwork from Smoothpower. I chose the vertical panel in order to put it where the current ignition switch is located.
Installation was pretty straightforward. We removed the plastic, a few instruments out of the way for access and then marked and cut the panel for the installation (See Initial Layout Image). After cutting out a rectangular hole and drilling the four mounting holes we test fit all the hardware.
Now, all in all this only would have taken about an hour...but I took the opportunity to clean up some old wiring and swap the position of two instruments. For some reason, someone in the past swapped the autopilot controls and hobbs meter...but didn't bother to re-route the wires. One can only guess why.
After cleaning up the wiring we installed the panel and made some cutouts in the original plastic.
Operation is a little different, since there is no key (and no complexity to fail...) the pilot needs to verify that only the mag with the impulse coupling is on during start. We started the engine, and verified that both switches worked as expected. Pro tip: during the install is a great time to verify that whatever splices you find hiding in the panel or engine bay are correct...verify that left goes to left and right goes to right!
Overall I'm quite happy with the switch panel. Install was quite straightforward, we eliminated a recurring AD, and I have one less key to deal with. Personally, I'm not thrilled with my plastic trim job but the plastic is pretty old anyway so that will likely get replaced later this year anyway.
- Remove and Service the existing switch ($?)
- Buy a new switch ($500)
- Buy an ACS switch and work with a mechanic to do a field approval for install ($200 plus install)
- Buy the electro air EA-15000 switch panel ($270 plus install)
I ordered the panel, which comes with the panel, electrical hardware, and a thumb drive containing the STC and paperwork from Smoothpower. I chose the vertical panel in order to put it where the current ignition switch is located.
Installation was pretty straightforward. We removed the plastic, a few instruments out of the way for access and then marked and cut the panel for the installation (See Initial Layout Image). After cutting out a rectangular hole and drilling the four mounting holes we test fit all the hardware.
Now, all in all this only would have taken about an hour...but I took the opportunity to clean up some old wiring and swap the position of two instruments. For some reason, someone in the past swapped the autopilot controls and hobbs meter...but didn't bother to re-route the wires. One can only guess why.
After cleaning up the wiring we installed the panel and made some cutouts in the original plastic.
Operation is a little different, since there is no key (and no complexity to fail...) the pilot needs to verify that only the mag with the impulse coupling is on during start. We started the engine, and verified that both switches worked as expected. Pro tip: during the install is a great time to verify that whatever splices you find hiding in the panel or engine bay are correct...verify that left goes to left and right goes to right!
Overall I'm quite happy with the switch panel. Install was quite straightforward, we eliminated a recurring AD, and I have one less key to deal with. Personally, I'm not thrilled with my plastic trim job but the plastic is pretty old anyway so that will likely get replaced later this year anyway.
