Beacon Problem

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8209
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Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Name: Brent Wilson
Location: KLND
Aircraft Type: Cessna 140
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Beacon Problem

Post by 8209 »

My '47 140 has the beacon light about half way back on the top of the fuselage and it doesn't work. I just got the the plane so I'm not sure when it worked last. My question is, would there be any common issues I might check out to see if I can make it work?
Thanks for any suggestions you might have.
Thanks
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6643
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Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Name: John C
Location: KLCI, NH
Aircraft Type: 1946 C140/C90
Occupation-Interests: A&P, semi-retired
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Re: Beacon Problem

Post by 6643 »

What type of beacon is it? Things to check, power to the unit, and any bulbs. If it's supposed to rotate, the motor could be bad, too.

Technically, if you have a beacon it's supposed to be in working order, and on at all times.
8147
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Re: Beacon Problem

Post by 8147 »

On my 140 I have a Universal Strobe on top. When I bought mine it was not working either. Turns out it was just the bulb and the fuse both. Only cost me a few bucks, and she’s working great now.
8240
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Joined: Wed May 09, 2018 12:32 am
Name: Jim B
Location: Hallettsville TX
Aircraft Type: 140
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Re: Beacon Problem

Post by 8240 »

If you have power to the unit and the bulb is lit but the motor isnt turning the reflector, chances are its the motor. The motor is almost impossible to find, which is why most swap it out for a strobe. I rebuilt mine about 5 years ago (the airplane was owned by someone else then but I did the maintenance)... anyway, after disassembling/cleaning/and lubricating it made a huge difference in how much noise the unit made and Im sure the electrical draw.
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