Troubleshooting | Retract/Deploy Issues
Is your gear not going up or coming down the way it should? Sometimes this can be a result in binding. We have laid out some simple step by step tasks to help you troubleshoot your item and get you back on track. If you don't see what you are looking for here, please take a look at our "Support" page or, you can visit our "Contact" page and drop us a line. Thank you.
When I bench test my gear they work great but they wont retract into the plane when I'm in flight?
BINDING
Binding is one of the most common causes of retracts working during bench testing but not during flight. There are several ways this can happen and we will work through each of them here so you can test your gear.
Binding - #1
When you put a tire on a car, you never tighten down the lug nuts in a circle. You always go opposite from the one you tightened last and than cross and opposite and then repeat. The same goes for your retracts. If you tighten down one side more than they other, this will result in the retracts becoming off center and restrict its ability to fully retract in the closed position.
Binding - #2
Another form of binding is when the kit is built too tight. When a plane is taking off or landing, there is a wind force that pushes up or down on the wings.
Click here for a rendering of this.
To simulate this process you can place your kits wings onto two secure surfaces, like THIS. This will help show you if your kit will bind around your retracts, wheels or other areas by pushing up or down simultaneously on the wing tips as if it is actually flying.
This technique can be used right side up or upside down depending on the direction of travel you wish to test.
Binding - #3 (Electric)
When I get a new toy, you can find me playing with it over and over again to see if it works but also, because its new and that's why I got it. With electric retracts, this can actually cause them to bind. Every time you power on your retracts, there is a slight power surge to the system. And although this wont hurt the system, it can cause the retracts to turn ever so slightly. And, sometimes it's so little you cant even see it when you're starring right at it. This can cause the retract to "over-tighten" or bind in its current location. And, since our system is designed to shut off when it hits resistance to help protect itself this type of binding can make your gear appear to be inoperable.
You will notice on the back of the actuator there is a jack screw. This is what needs to be loosened to remove the built up pressure.
Simply remove the screw holding the front of the actuator in place. Using your hands, unwind the actuator to relieve the built up pressure. Reinstall the screw and you should be back flying in no time. CLICK HERE FOR A VISUAL GUIDE.