Jay Honeck wrote:
: My A&P says Skycraft's STC doesn't cover that option, and he would have to
: get a field approval, blah, blah, blah. His idea is to remove my pitot
: heat switch from the little "bank" of switches on my 235, and install the
: new split landing light switch in its place. This will put it right next to
: the existing nose light switch, so turning on the landing light(s) will be
: almost as simple as it is now (or would be with my idea).

: The pitot heat switch would then be relocated in the plane, somewhere.

I second the comment regarding the current capability of the switch.
Especially with a split toggle switch like that, it may have a max current that
prevents using both at the same time. If it's got enough rating, check the wire size
and CB rating and the bulb current draw against AC43 and field-approve it the way you
want. If it doesn't have enough current, you could go the relay route as others have
suggested. The FSDO might like that better, since you wouldn't be appreciably
modifying the kit with larger wire, fewer CB's, etc.

I think having individual controls over which lights are on is a good thing.
Maybe not three separate switches, but it's good to not burn out the bulbs, draw
****loads from the alternator at low (descent) RPM, and blind other people all at
once... Selective evils with maybe 2 separate switches. OR... get a split switch
where each is SPDT with a center detent "off" position. Wire the four potential
positions into a "landing-light code" that only you know how to decipher...

-Cory



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************************************************** ***********************
* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
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