What does this switch do?

What does this switch do?

  • Wings Stay On, Wings Fall Off

    Votes: 4 19.0%

  • Chem Trail On

    Votes: 7 33.3%

  • Weather Modification On

    Votes: 2 9.5%

  • ADSB Off (the "Martha" switch)

    Votes: 6 28.6%

  • Passenger Ejection

    Votes: 5 23.8%

  • Area 51 Transponder

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Something to do with Transformers

    Votes: 1 4.8%
  • Total voters
    21
WDD

WDD

Final Approach
PoA Supporter
Joined
Oct 16, 2019
Messages
8,855
Location
Atlanta / Marietta
Display Name
Vintage Snazzy (so my adult children say)
Home Airfield
KPUJ
Found this under the right side of the panel, and I can't seem to figure out what it does.IMG_1125.jpeg
 
It's a prank played on whoever take the plane apart and played by the prior owner. Were it me, I'd tie the switch to a klaxon to really create a panic attack.
 
Dan Thomas said:
Nothing in the manuals that I can see. It might be in the starter circuit to discourage theft.
Click to expand...
Now that’s interesting…….

Absolutely not in the manual - someone put it there at some point. May not be connected to anything now.
 
I discovered one just like that on mine.
Mine disengages the lockout pin on the gear handle so you can raise the gear on the ground (no squat switch in this system, pitot pressure pulls it).
I labeled it.
 
You can't trace the wires back to anything? And obviously you've flipped it with everything turned on and you don't see anything happening. Day AND night?

By any chance do you you have a PulseLite? It might be the switch to go from steady to pulse, that is seldom (if ever) used. Maybe a list of the avionics and especially anything else that is NON Cessna that has been installed.
 
Follow the wires. Or use a DMM and see if either post has voltage.
 
It's the timed self destruct trigger. Flip the switch, then immediately leave the area and call your insurance company.
 
Dan Thomas said:
Nothing in the manuals that I can see. It might be in the starter circuit to discourage theft.
Click to expand...
My plane had an extra breaker installed in the front baggage that was in the master switch circuit, presumably for theft protection. Because it wasn't in the logbook, and I'm not super concerned about someone stealing my plane, I had my mechanic remove it.
 
WDD said:
Found this under the right side of the panel, and I can't seem to figure out what it does.
Click to expand...
My guess since its on the RH side and under the panel its a DIY disable switch. Have installed a number of them over the years but included them in the mx record. Have you reviewed the logbooks? Be sure to review all avionics installs as sometimes they would include similar switches to isolate portions of those systems.
 
Nothing in the log books. I’ll try to start with both switch positions and see what happens.
 
Last edited:
My guess is it an anti-theft switch. The plane I recently bought has one tucked away under the panel.
 
0df07bf816faf84f150e1fad82dbb7c8.jpg

Did Mad Max install it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Well, plane starts / runs just fine regardless of the mystery switch position. Next time I'm up and talking to ATC I'll flip it and ask if they still get my transponder / ADSB signal.
 
Turn all panel lights on bright. Flip the switch. Being serious.
 
WDD said:
Well, plane starts / runs just fine regardless of the mystery switch position. Next time I'm up and talking to ATC I'll flip it and ask if they still get my transponder / ADSB signal.
Click to expand...
You really can't just trace the wires? Or have you put a multimeter on it to see if there is power or ground when you flip the switch?
 
My 182P has a backup master avionics switch installed under the panel. I did know it was there until I had some avionics works done a few years ago. I’m not sure when it was installed or why.
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
This is why you buy type certificated aircraft instead of some homebuilt POS that has random unlabeled switches and in-line fuses.
Click to expand...
Except that this is a certified aircraft.

soarohio said:
My 182P has a backup master avionics switch installed under the panel.
Click to expand...
What does a back up master switch do? A second power source in case the main switch breaks?
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
instead of some homebuilt POS that has random unlabeled switches and in-line fuses
Click to expand...
I found some gnarly wiring with 8+ feet of unprotected wire under the panel in my certified plane. The inline fuse holder was at the load end instead of the supply end.
 
It's the warp drive.

ok, kidding.. it's really the switch that enables the knob that you haven't found yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WDD
And……. Apparently I also have a small light at the bottom of the pilot side yoke with a small knob on bottom next to it to turn it on. I also have a small light on top of center console. Bulb is good, but won’t light.

Thinking about having an avionics shop open the panel and rip out all the mystery wiring and clean things up. Although I can’t figure out why that should change anything except soothe my OCD.
 
fidget toy for when your waiting in line to take off at LAX
 
WDD said:
Thinking about having an avionics shop open the panel and rip out all the mystery wiring and clean things up. Although I can’t figure out why that should change anything except soothe my OCD.
Click to expand...
You may be surprised. The electrical system is the most neglected system on a Part 91 recreational aircraft. One of the requirements I had for owner-assisted customers was to bring the electrical system back to spec. Highly recommend it and is money well spent.
 
WDD said:
What does a back up master switch do? A second power source in case the main switch breaks?
Click to expand...
I was about to post the same thing as @soarohio did. The Aux Buss or backup Avionics switch will often power up instruments on the Pilot's side and some of the Avionics. This is to give you potentially some power if you have an electrical fire and turn off the Master, something actually goes wrong with the Master, etc.
 
WDD said:
Thinking about having an avionics shop open the panel and rip out all the mystery wiring and clean things up. Although I can’t figure out why that should change anything except soothe my OCD.
Click to expand...
Worth every penny.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top