SonexBuilders.net

I have a b-model with electric flaps. I strongly considered taking the time to make a manual flap system, but I did enough custom stuff FWF and I'm not willing to add any build time for this....so I need to power the actuator. I am using a fuse panel that is mounted on the cockpit side of the firewall to power everything in my airplane except my engine. My engine has circuit breakers that are fed from two independent power supplies.

I would like to use a panel mounted circuit breaker on the flap actuator. It is one of the only items I could see a reason to reset in flight. Wiring this is inconvenient since I would like to power it from my fuse panel and not from the engine buses. I could run a dedicated wire from the contactor, which is on the engine side of the firewall, but I would prefer not to.

It seems foolish at a glance, but I am considering running a larger fuse (10 amp) in the panel, then powering a smaller circuit breaker (7.5 amp). Is anyone running a fuse and a circuit breaker in series for the flap actuator? If so, what sizes?

Well, that was a foolish thought after all. I can feed the circuit breaker from the input terminal of the fuse panel.

I would still be interested to know what everyone is running for a circuit breaker on the flap.

I would suggest power the flaps from a fuse on your fuse panel. In my Gulfstream, I’m not allowed to reset ANY circuit breaker, unless I either pulled it in the first place or come to an item on a checklist that requires a reset, and then it would be a single try. For flaps, I practice no-flap landings (in the simulator). It’s not too big a deal. Certainly less exciting than a fire in the cockpit from resetting the wrong circuit breaker.

Just a second opinion, worth it’s weight in something :)

Gordon