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Thread: Time to replace old Warner Electric trim actuator?

  1. #1
    SWeidemann's Avatar
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    Default Time to replace old Warner Electric trim actuator?

    I'm going over everything on my third-hand Kitfox Model 5 Vixen & making a list of things to replace or improve.

    Any opinions about whether I should replace my well-used horizontal trim actuator and motor? It is probably the original Warner S12 17A8-04 from when the plane was built (2003) and could have 1600 hours on it. Should I trust this?

    Thanks much,

    Skot

    Vixen N24V
    Kitfox Vixen 912 ULS
    N24V at C29

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Time to replace old Warner Electric trim actuator?

    Hi Skot
    I have a 1999 Vixen and at 120 hours replaced the trim jackscrew because it jammed in the full down position and the motor burned out .The a/c was still flyable but required heavy control inputs.
    The original owner/builder replaced the rocker switch with toggle switch and it stuck in the down position.


    Have over 500 hours with no issues.

    Cheers
    Don

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Time to replace old Warner Electric trim actuator?

    Working on my KF 5 kit from the 90's. It has the Warner trim actuator. It's brand new sealed in the box. I am sure there is a newer style now but curious to know what if any problems were associated with the older trim actuators? Any reasonable reason I shouldn't use the one I have? I hate to buy a new one to replace a "new" one. I did see a thread about a making a bracket in case the casting broke. That would be an easy, worth while retrofit.

  4. #4
    SWeidemann's Avatar
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    Default Re: Time to replace old Warner Electric trim actuator?

    Jerry,

    In my third hand Kitfox Vixen, I gladly replaced the old Warner unit with the different currently available electric trim unit (bought from the Kitfox factory), in the interest of safety. Years ago, a local Kitfox owner had a significant crash landing directly related to the failure of the casting on the Warner unit. In his current Kitfox 6 he has converted the elevator trim to a trim tab system operated by cables instead. The new model electric trim jack screw I have came with an added strapped-on bracket that will keep control of gross pitch changes in the unlikely event of a casting failure. I’m sure you can (or will) find out more about it from other KF owners.


    Skot
    Kitfox Vixen 912 ULS
    N24V at C29

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Time to replace old Warner Electric trim actuator?

    So it's a breakage concern more than anything? I think if I decide to use it, I'll construct the safety bracket mentioned in another post. Might as well get whatever use out of it as I can if it can safely be done.

  6. #6
    SWeidemann's Avatar
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    Default Re: Time to replace old Warner Electric trim actuator?

    Yes, if you can fabricate a redundant add-on gadget that will keep everything together if your jack screw housing fails, great. Maybe a call to John & Debra to see if they have such a part, without having to replace a Warner with no time on it. Mine (Warner) was working fine & doing its job but I just didn’t trust it (after talking to my friend who crash landed because of the broken part).

    Be safe. Skot
    Kitfox Vixen 912 ULS
    N24V at C29

  7. #7
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Time to replace old Warner Electric trim actuator?

    Kitfox Aircraft has the reinforcement bracket kit for the jack screws. 208-337-5111


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  8. #8
    Senior Member Maverick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Time to replace old Warner Electric trim actuator?

    When I bought my current KF5 project, the trim jack screw was one of the parts missing so I bought the latest one that Kitfox is now using along with the factory safety kit. I did not think to ask about what amp fuse to use for it though. Does anyone have what the max amp on the trim motor would be?

  9. #9
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Time to replace old Warner Electric trim actuator?

    John McBean told me it was a 7amp trim motor. Then I got to buy the Safety Trim Booster to get my auto pilot to be able to drive that motor for trim.
    Eddie Forward
    Flying
    SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X

  10. #10
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Time to replace old Warner Electric trim actuator?

    I used a 7.5 amp circuit breaker for mine.
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

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