Wig-Wag failure modes

[Andy]

This topic is applicable to all CC aircraft that use the white wig-wag flasher unit.

My FX-3 has about 200 flight hours and the landing lights are normally in wig-wag operation between start of takeoff roll and end of landing roll. I recently became aware that my wig-wag unit was failing. I have seen the following conditions:

Both lights flashing together
Right on continuous and left flashing
Normal wig-wag operation (left and right alternating)

On a recent dawn flight I had right continuous and left flashing until after takeoff. Later in the flight I could see from the illumination of the forward lift struts that the lights had normal wig-wag operation.

On a flight a few days later I had right continuous and left flashing at pre-flight and also post flight. It was too bright to see operation during flight.

When I reported this anomaly to CC support I was told the wig-wag flasher was a custom CC part and was offered the opportunity to buy a replacement for $165. I declined since I think I can design and build a more reliable and more versatile unit for a lot less (a microprocessor controlled unit with MOSFET switching and multiple different flash modes driving landing and taxi lights should be under $25 parts cost).

So, how many of you actually check your wig-wags and what, if any, abnormal operation have you seen?

[dayoung107]

I have seen a few instances of undesirable behavior when landing lights are used that draw more than 2 amps (each).

The stock lights draw 1.2 amps (each).

[Andy]

I have seen a few instances of undesirable behavior when landing lights are used that draw more than 2 amps (each).

The stock lights draw 1.2 amps (each).

My FX-3 has landing lights as fitted by CubCrafters at Yakima. No changes at all to landing lights since delivery.

[Schwbo]

I had replaced my landing lights with WAT Parmetheus Pro. WAT claims they are drop in replacements for the CC lights. CC told me they will kill the Wig Wag circuit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lee]

My 2019 FX3 haas been having the same issue...the right light flashes, the left is on but no flashing. Some times the right will flash after 10-15 min. I thought it had to "warm up".
Should I replace some central controller or is there a controller for each light?

[Andy]

My 2019 FX3 haas been having the same issue...the right light flashes, the left is on but no flashing. Some times the right will flash after 10-15 min. I thought it had to "warm up".
Should I replace some central controller or is there a controller for each light?

The Wig-Wag controller is the white box that is secured to the left "V" frame tube between instrument panel and firewall. This unit controls both lights and it should be a fairly simple replacement.

The controller is made "in-house" by CubCrafters and seems to be unreliable. I'm designing my own replacement and have a 3 mode prototype running on the bench.