Piper PA-28-161, Maintenance Manual

Page: 176 / 1104

PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.
PA-28-161, WARRIOR III
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
PAGE 4
Nov 30/06
1I10
12-20-00
7. Electrical System
Refer to Chapter 24 for more information on the electrical system.
A. Servicing the electrical system involves:
(1) Adding distilled water to battery to maintain proper electrolyte level.
(2) Checking cable connections for spilled electrolyte that will lead to corrosion.
(3) Checking all electrical connections, lights, generator or alternator, and starter for security and
operation.
(4) Checking all electrical wires for chafing or exposure.
B. Battery Inspection
CAUTION: DO NOT ALLOW SODA SOLUTION TO ENTER BATTERY.
The battery is located in the aft fuselage, aft of the rear baggage compartment. Each 50 hours time-
in-service or every 30 days, whichever comes first:
(1) Check for spills and corrosion.
If corrosion is found on or around battery, terminals, battery shelf, or adjacent engine
compartment surfaces clean per procedures in 24-30-00.
(2) Check electrolyte level. Add distilled water as necessary.
Do not fill battery above the baffle plates. Do not fill the battery with acid - use water only. A
hydrometer check will determine the percent of charge in the battery.
8. Tire Balance
Proper balancing is critical for the life of aircraft tires. If a new tire is balanced upon installation it will
usually remain balanced for the life of the tire without having any shimmy or flat spots. An inexpensive
balancer can be made that will balance almost any tire for light aircraft. See Figure 3 for balancer details.
Balance the tire as follows:
(1) Mount tire and tube (if one is used) on wheel, but do not install the securing bolts. Install wheel
bearings in wheel; then, using the -7 bushings, -6 spacers, and -5 nuts, (refer to Figure 1) install the
wheel-tire assembly on the pipe. Secure the nuts finger-tight so that the wheel halves touch each
other. Be sure the bolt holes are aligned. Insert the axle through the pipe and place the wheel in the
center of the balancer. Make sure the axle is only on the chamfered edges of the balancer and that
it is at 90° to the sides of the balancer.
(2) Release the tire. If it is out of balance it will rotate, coming to rest with the heaviest point on the
bottom. Tape a one-half (1/2) ounce patch across top center of the tire. Rotate the tire 45° and
release it again. If the tire returns to the same position, add a one (1) ounce patch and again rotate
the tire and release it. Continue this procedure until the tire is balanced.
(3) When balance is attained, put a chalk mark on the sidewall directly below the patch. Use one mark
for each half ounce of weight needed. Mark the valve stem location on the tire and the opposite
wheel half to assure reassembly in the same position. Remove the wheel from the balance stand,
break it down and clean the inside of the tire with toluol. Apply a coat of patch cement to both the
patch and the inside center of the tire in line with the chalk marks. When the cement has dried,
install the patches making certain they are on the center line of the tire and aligned with the chalk
marks on the sidewall. Burnish the patches to remove trapped air, etc.
(4) When reassembling the wheel, powder the inside of the tire. Mount the tire on the valve side of the
wheel in the same position it was in when it was balanced. Install the other wheel half, aligning the
chalk marks. Install the bolts and tighten to required torque, then air the tire and recheck the
balance. The wheel should not be more than one-half (1/2) ounce out of balance.