AeroElectric-List Digest Archive

Wed 02/05/14


Total Messages Posted: 22



Today's Message Index:
----------------------
 
     1. 04:22 AM - Re: Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo Cables? (hooverra)
     2. 06:02 AM - Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo Cables? (Dennis Johnson)
     3. 07:19 AM - Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo Cables? (Owen Baker)
     4. 07:31 AM - Re: Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo Cables? (user9253)
     5. 09:05 AM - Re: Re: Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo Cables? (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
     6. 09:44 AM - Electrical architecture with aux battery (user9253)
     7. 09:46 AM - Re: Teaching vs. Propagandizing (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
     8. 10:25 AM - Re: Teaching vs. Propagandizing (Robert Borger)
     9. 12:27 PM - Re: Re: Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo Cables? (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
    10. 12:27 PM - Re: Teaching vs. Propagandizing (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
    11. 12:49 PM - Re: Electrical architecture with aux battery (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
    12. 12:49 PM - Re: Essential Bus question (Eric M. Jones)
    13. 01:04 PM - Re: Teaching vs. Propagandizing (Tim Andres)
    14. 02:17 PM - Re: Electrical architecture with aux battery (user9253)
    15. 02:44 PM - Re: Electrical architecture with aux battery (user9253)
    16. 04:30 PM - Re: Teaching vs. Propagandizing (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
    17. 04:31 PM - Re: Re: Electrical architecture with aux battery (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
    18. 04:33 PM - Re: Re: Electrical architecture with aux battery (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
    19. 04:35 PM - Some data points and pictures from my Rotax 91X School (Robert Borger)
    20. 06:43 PM - Rotax crank failures (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
    21. 07:20 PM - Change of business model . . . (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
    22. 07:26 PM - Re: Rotax crank failures (Tim Andres)
 
 
 


Message 1


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    Time: 04:22:46 AM PST US
    Subject: Re: Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo Cables?
    From: "hooverra" <hooverra@comcast.net>
    http://www.digikey.com/catalog/en/partgroup/en3-series/2186 switchcraft en series is sealed, small and works well for trim cables. It takes reasonable soldering skill but not bad. Ralph -------- Ralph &amp; Laura Hoover RV7A N527LR Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=418113#418113


    Message 2


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    Time: 06:02:54 AM PST US
    From: "Dennis Johnson" <pinetownd@volcano.net>
    Subject: Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo Cables?
    Hi Valin, I used mini S-VHS connectors for my Ray Allen trim servos. That is what the company recommends and S-VHS connectors are round and have the benefit of passing through existing round holes, unlike D-Sub connectors. Mini S-VHS connectors from DigiKey are available with different numbers of wire connections, depending on which servo you're connecting them to. I don't see any need for environmentally sealed connectors in my Legacy. If I had it to do again, I'd go with Ron's suggestion of soldering the wires together, with a generous service loop. Since you're flying before final painting, that might be emotionally difficult because you'll have to cut the wires to remove the rudder and elevator when you paint, but it's not that big of a deal. I think soldering the wires together for first flight, cutting them apart for painting, and then soldering them back together is going to be less trouble and more reliable than finding and using connectors. If I absolutely had to have connectors instead of soldering the wires together, I'd use Bob's method of D-Sub connectors without the shell, covered by heat shrink. You might have to slightly enlarge some of the pass through holes to get the connector through, but that's not a problem. I also recommend buying the wire from Ray Allen to connect to the servos. I know it's tiny 28 gauge, but it comes in a very durable sheath and will be much neater than making your own bundle from manually twisting 22 gauge wires together. Best, Dennis Lancair Legacy, 680 hours


    Message 3


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    Time: 07:19:12 AM PST US
    From: "Owen Baker " <bakerocb@cox.net>
    Subject: Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo Cables?
    2/5/2014 Hello Valin, Why not purchase several male and female machined D sub pins? Here is just one example: http://www.newark.com/cinch/030-1952-000/d-sub-contact-pin-24-20awg-crimp /dp/12M3924?mckv=sShye0Dzw|pcrid|33869844621|plid|&CMP=KNC-GPLA (You may prefer the high density version.) Then you just crimp the appropriate gender pin on each of the 10 Ray Allen bare wire ends and stick the pins together. Some tips and comments: a) Be sure to put the appropriate sized heat shrink over the wires before crimping the pins onto the wires so that you can slide the heat shrink over the joined pins before heat shrinking. The heat shrink will help keep the pins together when joined and provide some environmental protection. b) If you desire additional environmental protection some goop can be applied to the ends of the heat shrink. http://eclecticproducts.com/e6000_retail.htm c) If you are not satisfied with how firmly the pins connect together put a very slight bend in the male pin before inserting it into the female pin to assure a better connection. d) You can stagger the ends of the cut wires so that all of the pins do not remain in one large clump when the job is finished. e) These connections can be separated (for later reconnection) by carefully using a razor blade or Xacto knife to split the heat shrink. OC ============= Time: 10:38:59 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo Cables? From: "Valin" <thorn@starflight.aero> Hello, Can anyone recommend a good, small, preferably environmentally sealed connector to use on the five conductor cable of 22 AWG wires that run to each of the Ray Allen trim servos? If I werent going to be flying in primer first Id probably just splice the wires together for the entire run. But with paint and control surface removal in the known future Id like to make removal of the control surfaces easier with connectors on these cables. They need to be low volume connectors to fit in the space where theyll be. Thanks, Valin Thorn Lancair Legacy Project Boulder, Colorado


    Message 4


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    Time: 07:31:41 AM PST US
    Subject: Re: Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo Cables?
    From: "user9253" <fransew@gmail.com>
    I think this was Bob's idea but I could not find it on his website. Use 5 sets of male-female D-Sub pins without any shell at all. Cover each mated pair with heat-shrink. If the joints have to be weather proof, use adhesive lined heat-shrink. The heat shrink will have to be cut to separate the connections, not a big deal. Joe -------- Joe Gores Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=418118#418118


    Message 5


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    Time: 09:05:49 AM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo
    Cables? At 06:21 AM 2/5/2014, you wrote: > >http://www.digikey.com/catalog/en/partgroup/en3-series/2186 > >switchcraft en series is sealed, small and works well for trim >cables. It takes reasonable soldering skill but not bad. Interesting find! Thank you. According to the data sheet http://tinyurl.com/le3gwtp these are available in 20AWG crimp pins. There's a 95% chance that the el-cheepo (and platinum plated) 4-quadrant tools will install these pins. Unfortunately, Digikey doesn't stock the crimp versions yet but they will do special orders of 10 or more connectors. I'll put these on my list of "things to go buy and evaluate" and may add them to the AeroElectric Catalog. But if they're popular, Digikey will eventually stock them. Switchcraft is a staid, old-line supplier of electronic components . . . low risk. Bob . . .


    Message 6


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    Time: 09:44:21 AM PST US
    Subject: Electrical architecture with aux battery
    From: "user9253" <fransew@gmail.com>
    Attached is a circuit with a brownout battery (non cranking). It will be kept charged through a diode when the E-Bus alternate feed is off. The aux battery will be connected in parallel with the main battery when both aux battery switch and the E-Bus switch are turned on (expected normal operation after engine start). This circuit is not for my plane. I offer it for discussion and comments. Joe -------- Joe Gores Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=418123#418123 Attachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/z_11_modified_2_971.pdf


    Message 7


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    Time: 09:46:48 AM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: Teaching vs. Propagandizing
    At 05:01 PM 2/4/2014, you wrote: Gents, This thread should probably be on the Rotax list, but sometimes we take what we can get where we can get it. I will suggest this is an appropriate discussion for the purpose of honing our critical analysis tools. Most of the 'tiger teams' on which I served at Beech were not wrestling with electrons . . . but they were grounded in the same physics that drives everything made up of matter and driven by energy. I too have attended Lockwood=92s 91X class and have seen the engine and heard the story from Dean. There was also a second story related which involved loss of oil due to vibrational damage to an extended fitting to mount the oil pressure sensor. A fitting was inserted between the oil pressure sender and the engine case. The fitting was put in place to add a pressure switch to illuminate a light should the oil pressure drop below the switch pressure set point. Now you have a classic mass on a spring with the sender hanging out on that extension. I don=92t remember how long that arrangement held up but I don=92t believe it was very long before the extension piece broke, the gentleman=92s low oil pressure lamp illuminated and the contents of the oil sump were dumped overboard. Again, the report was that the engine probably didn=92t run longer than 10-20 second before it seized once the oil was gone. I can=92t speak to the accuracy of the 10-20 seconds without oil before seizure not having been there in either case. But the takeaway point was that the Rotax 91X engine requires continuous lubrication and that any interruption in that lubrication would be detrimental to your engine. Great example! BTW, I have moved my oil pressure sender off the engine and onto the firewall using a length of SS braided pressure line. Saves vibrational stresses on the sender and the fitting to the engine. There you go . . . this is a demonstrable example of fitting all the puzzle pieces together. I'm betting that the fittings which broke were brass . . . a non-ferrous material of which all such materials have a service life. There's a feature in the study of strengths of materials called the S/N to Failure. Stress levels/Number of cycles to failure curve for steel becomes flat at some value of S/N below N of 10M. The rule of thumb for testing steel parts is, "If you can't break it in 10,000,000 cycles, you aren't going to break it." On the other hand, non-steel parts have a service life at ANY stress level. It's just parts like wings, struts and tail feathers are so lightly stressed that their service lives far exceed the expected life of an airplane. But poor attention to details of design, operation and maintenance have proven spectacularly catastrophic. [] It's that sneaky old s/n ratio thingy that makes us attentive to adding wire support immediately adjacent to a crimped or soldered bundle of wire strands. Having a rudimentary understanding of s/n ratio is useful for stringing wires, installing rivets, building support brackets . . . and yes . . . evaluating cause-effect for connecting rods coming through the crankcase. It'a all the same physics. One of the many things I like about my Grand Rapids EIS 4000 is that it stays up during engine start and the default page shows oil pressure so I know immediately upon engine start if there=92s oil pressure. Just my 2=A2 and worth at least half that. Undoubtedly . . . Blue skies & tailwinds, Bob Borger Bob . . .


    Message 8


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    Time: 10:25:15 AM PST US
    Subject: Re: Teaching vs. Propagandizing
    From: Robert Borger <rlborger@mac.com>
    On Feb 5, 2014, at 11:46 AM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com> wrote: At 05:01 PM 2/4/2014, you wrote: Gents, There you go . . . this is a demonstrable example of fitting all the puzzle pieces together. I'm betting that the fittings which broke were brass . . . a non-ferrous material of which all such materials have a service life. Robert, If I remember correctly, the fitting was brass. Broke off just about flush with the oil pump housing. Which is right where the maximum vibrational stress would have been applied. Blue skies & tailwinds, Bob Borger Europa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop (50 hrs). Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP 3705 Lynchburg Dr. Corinth, TX 76208-5331 Cel: 817-992-1117 rlborger@mac.com


    Message 9


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    Time: 12:27:11 PM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: Small Connector for Ray Allen Trim Servo
    Cables? At 09:30 AM 2/5/2014, you wrote: > >I think this was Bob's idea but I could not find it on his >website. Use 5 sets of male-female D-Sub pins without any shell at >all. Cover each mated pair with heat-shrink. If the joints have to >be weather proof, use adhesive lined heat-shrink. The heat shrink >will have to be cut to separate the connections, not a big deal. Last panel on this comic book . . . http://tinyurl.com/c5v2xvm Bob . . .


    Message 10


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    Time: 12:27:32 PM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: Teaching vs. Propagandizing
    >Robert, If I remember correctly, the fitting was brass. Broke off >just about flush with the oil pump housing. Which is right where >the maximum vibrational stress would have been applied. Bingo . . . Bob . . .


    Message 11


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    Time: 12:49:10 PM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: Electrical architecture with aux battery
    At 11:43 AM 2/5/2014, you wrote: > >Attached is a circuit with a brownout battery (non cranking). It >will be kept charged through a diode when the E-Bus alternate feed >is off. The aux battery will be connected in parallel with the main >battery when both aux battery switch and the E-Bus switch are turned >on (expected normal operation after engine start). This circuit is >not for my plane. I offer it for discussion and comments. There is a way to avoid charging the aux battery through a diode and eliminate one switch. http://tinyurl.com/7ro5yuc Bob . . .


    Message 12


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    Time: 12:49:36 PM PST US
    Subject: Re: Essential Bus question
    From: "Eric M. Jones" <emjones@charter.net>
    > You also have to take into account that unlike the LyCo's, the Rotax has a five piece crank that is pressed together with nothing but the pressure of the fit to keep it together and aligned. I would imagine the trail of tears would include a piston seizure that causes the crank to come out of alignment which not only destroys a bearing or two, but gives the various crank sections a chance to beat upon each other. The reason for the multipiece crank is so that it can be made shorter by reducing the clearance between the side of the rod, see picture. With so little clearance between the rod and the adjacent crank web the twisted, misaligned crank now has a chance to really start beating on the rods, the piston skirts, and any pieces that have come loose. Of course the Rotax engineers have reduced clearances between the rotating assembly and the case halves to shave off more weight and by now the bearings are not only being twisted out of their seats but the case webs are being hammered, too. > I find this scenerio to be highly unlikely! If this were the case, then I would wager that there would be cases of this type of failure during > normal operation, due to the stress and vibration created during high power running. Roger Let me venture way outside my pay-grade and offer an opinion that the Rotax multipiece crank is in no way an inferior design, and in fact offers lots of advantages: 1) Cost 2) The connecting rods need no end bearing caps, thus they are stronger and lighter. 3) Exceptional resistance to failure from torsional vibration. 4) The ability to use different metals for the various parts. 5) Shorter crank. 6) The ability to use roller bearings. (I have no idea if they actually should or do). As long as the rod and main bearings are good, the idea that the crank can come apart is simply a distraction. Porsche 4-cam racing engines used a similar design, although they keyed theirs. But Still... Your Mileage May Vary. Off Topic... Do not Archive -------- Eric M. Jones www.PerihelionDesign.com 113 Brentwood Drive Southbridge, MA 01550 (508) 764-2072 emjones(at)charter.net Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=418137#418137


    Message 13


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    Time: 01:04:53 PM PST US
    Subject: Re: Teaching vs. Propagandizing
    From: Tim Andres <tim2542@sbcglobal.net>
    Most of us probably know this, but cantilever mounted engine pressure senders is bad practice, steel or brass. I have personally seen steel ones break. Tim > On Feb 5, 2014, at 12:25 PM, "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com> wrote: > > > >> Robert, If I remember correctly, the fitting was brass. Broke off just about flush with the oil pump housing. Which is right where the maximum vibrational stress would have been applied. > > Bingo . . . > > > Bob . . . > > > >


    Message 14


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    Time: 02:17:58 PM PST US
    Subject: Re: Electrical architecture with aux battery
    From: "user9253" <fransew@gmail.com>
    Bob, I had looked at Z-10/8 but neglected to notice that your circuit uses one less switch than mine. I should have known better than to try and improve on your architecture. :D Thanks for the reply. Joe -------- Joe Gores Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=418143#418143


    Message 15


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    Time: 02:44:51 PM PST US
    Subject: Re: Electrical architecture with aux battery
    From: "user9253" <fransew@gmail.com>
    When the alternator is off or has failed, the extra switch in my circuit would allow powering the E-bus by only one battery at a time. I do not know if that is an advantage or not. The more complicated a system is, the greater the chance for pilot error. Joe -------- Joe Gores Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=418144#418144


    Message 16


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    Time: 04:30:59 PM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: Teaching vs. Propagandizing
    At 03:04 PM 2/5/2014, you wrote: > >Most of us probably know this, but cantilever mounted engine >pressure senders is bad practice, steel or brass. I have personally >seen steel ones break. >Tim Yeah, those threads do offer a powerful stress riser. Coming off a crankcase with a low mass, soft overhang is probably never wrong. Bob . . .


    Message 17


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    Time: 04:31:55 PM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: Electrical architecture with aux battery
    At 04:17 PM 2/5/2014, you wrote: > >Bob, > I had looked at Z-10/8 but neglected to notice that your circuit > uses one less switch than mine. I should have known better than to > try and improve on your architecture. Don't know that it won't happen yet . . . but had you not exercised the idea it's comparative value would never have been tested. Good job. Bob . . .


    Message 18


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    Time: 04:33:20 PM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: Electrical architecture with aux battery
    At 04:44 PM 2/5/2014, you wrote: > >When the alternator is off or has failed, the extra switch in my >circuit would allow powering the E-bus by only one battery at a >time. I do not know if that is an advantage or not. The more >complicated a system is, the greater the chance for pilot error. >Joe That's a point to ponder . . . I'm still mulling over light weight, no maintenance 'band aids' to manage the brown-out, reboot problem. Bob . . .


    Message 19


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    Time: 04:35:32 PM PST US
    From: Robert Borger <rlborger@mac.com>
    Subject: Some data points and pictures from my Rotax 91X School
    Bob & others out there in aeroelectric land, I have some pictures from the Rotax 91X school I attended back in 2006. They are posted on my Europa build web site. You can go directly to the school pictures with this URL: http://www.europaowners.org/main.php?g2_itemId=64472 The first set of pictures of a piston/con-rod are from that engine in which the gentleman reversed the in/out fittings to the oil reservoir. The next set of pictures are of the engine which had the oil pressure sender mounted out on the extension to allow for a pressure switch. You can see the broken brass fitting in the housing of the oil pump, a couple pictures of the holes in the crankcase that the thrown rods made and an overview of the engine. Which is now the demo engine used in the course. As I said, I dont know if the engine seized in 10 seconds or 10 minutes, but Dean said that if you interrupt the lubrication of the Rotax 91X engine it will usually seize like that in 10 to 30 seconds. It does not tolerate loss of lube at all well. And Im not going to test it on my engine. You can have a total loss of the coolant and the engine will continue to run and will usually get you to a safe landing at a reasonably close airstrip. It may never run again after it gets you there, but it will get you there. You loose oil pressure and you better find a flat spot quick because the engine is going to stop very soon. The Rotax 91X engine has much more in common with motor cycle engines than it does with your normal Lycoming or Continental. The 914 turbo is 74 cu.in. and produces 115 HP @ 5800 rpm. It is recommended that you limit this power setting to 5 minutes max on take off. It uses a gearbox with a 2.43:1 gear ratio to drive the propeller. The gearbox has a slipper clutch to protect the engine in case of a prop strike. Because the engine and gearbox share the lube system special oil is required. Most of the recommended oils are motorcycle oils. But Shell does make an oil specifically for the Rotax 91X engine. The engine has a dual Capacitive Discharge ignition, no mags. Normal operating range of the engine is 5000 to 5500 rpm and you must keep the idle above 1400 rpm, preferably above 1800 if you can. This saves wear on the gearbox. It has air cooled cylinders and liquid cooled heads. It is a dry sump engine with separate oil reservoir and oil cooler. Oil is returned from the engine directly to the reservoir. From the reservoir it goes through the cooler on its way to the oil pump. Purge the oil system after every oil/filter change. Never turn the prop backward more than half a turn or you stand a chance of ingesting air into the oil system and into the hydraulic valve lifts. This could trash your valves. Always burp the engine before starting. (Open the oil reservoir, turn the prop forward slowly to get compression on each cylinder, continue till all the residual oil has been forced from the crank case into the reservoir. You will get a distinct gurgle or burp when all the oil is back in the reservoir.) This allows an accurate determination of the actual oil in the system and provides some oil into the engine so you dont get a dry start. It has dual carburetors which must be balanced for the engine to run smoothly. When the carbs are properly balanced, the engine is extremely smooth with almost no vibration. Almost like an electric motor. All in all, it is a very good little engine. Lots of power for the size and weight of the engine. I dont think anything out there can match the power to installed weight ratio. A very efficient engine with a fuel consumption of about 4.5 gph at a 130 kt cruise in my Europa tri-gear. 5.0 gph will get you to 140 kts. You just can not treat it like your daddys Ly/Co. If you do, you will probably hurt it. I HIGHLY-HIGHLY recommend anyone flying behind a Rotax 91X engine attend one of the Rotax operators schools. They are available from several Rotax shops in the US and Canada. Blue skies & tailwinds, Bob Borger Europa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop (50 hrs). Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP 3705 Lynchburg Dr. Corinth, TX 76208-5331 Cel: 817-992-1117 rlborger@mac.com


    Message 20


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    Time: 06:43:17 PM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Rotax crank failures
    >6) The ability to use roller bearings. (I have no idea if they >actually should or do). Interesting point to ponder . . . if they do use roller bearings, then in no way will a loss of lubrication put a destructive torque moment on the crank end of the rod in a mere ten seconds of running . . . but no . . . This excerpt from the 912/914 maintenance manual . . . http://tinyurl.com/mresg6r suggests that the classic pressure lubricated sleeve bearings are used on the connecting rods. Emacs! >As long as the rod and main bearings are good, the idea that the >crank can come apart is simply a distraction. Porsche 4-cam racing >engines used a similar design, although they keyed theirs. But >Still... Your Mileage May Vary. . . . I've not heard of crank disassembly in the field . . . those engines have been around for a very long time. It's hard to argue with success! A short web-cruise did turn up this crank failure accident http://tinyurl.com/lzhk22s which failed to identify any errors of manufacture. The press-fit technology is not a high-risk process. Interruption fits of highly stressed parts has along history of success. Also found an AD against a production batch of Rotax 912 cranks for suspected vulnerability to cracking. All incidents of slipped assembly joints I found were byproducts of prop strikes. I think there's a slip clutch mod that reduces probability of a prop-strike from over-torque slipping of the joints. All in all, a pretty clean track record. do not archive. Bob . . .


    Message 21


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    Time: 07:20:57 PM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Change of business model . . .
    I was running short on several commodities and checked back on how long the last replenishments took to clear the shelves. It appears that I could really use that cash and shelf space to better advantage. Back when Dr. Dee and I started merchandising our work product and that of others, 50% of our inventory rolled over about every 90 days. 90% in 180 days or less. Now the roll-over is 3 to 4 times longer. For low volume manufacturing to work at all, it needs to be part of a larger stable of activities that rolls inventory faster. Before Dr. Dee finished her graduate work and got a better job than I had . . . she took care of most of the day-to-day activities on the merchandising side. But she's busy with a new job and my 'retirement' has been less than free of opportunities to do what I do best. As of this evening, I've closed the manufacturing operations for the AeroElectric Connection. Return on investment for the hammer-n-tongs operation is poor compared to the writing/teaching/consulting activities that have little overhead. I'll continue to do the fun stuff (AeroElectric List and seminars), get back on Revision 13 to the book, write for Kitplanes and exploit some opportunities on the TC side of the house as well. I'm looking for a manufacturing operation that would like to add current AEC original designs to their stable along with a half dozen in the wings that are stagnant simply because I don't own/run a factory. After current commitments are fulfilled, the mechanism by which future product developments are actualized will have to happen in somebody else's shops. Bob . . .


    Message 22


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    Time: 07:26:54 PM PST US
    Subject: Re: Rotax crank failures
    From: Tim Andres <tim2542@sbcglobal.net>
    =46rom the pics on the Europa site posted earlier, it clear they uses one pi ece rods. Only way to do that is with roller bearings and a press assembled c rank. The main bearings seen are typical automotive style Babbitt bearings. Also the blueing on the rod beam shows the amount of heat generated when the failure occurred. Tim > On Feb 5, 2014, at 6:41 PM, "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroel ectric.com> wrote: > >> 6) The ability to use roller bearings. (I have no idea if they actually s hould or do). > > Interesting point to ponder . . . if they do use > roller bearings, then in no way will a loss of > lubrication put a destructive torque moment on > the crank end of the rod in a mere ten seconds > of running . . . > > but no . . . > > This excerpt from the 912/914 maintenance > manual . . . > > http://tinyurl.com/mresg6r > > suggests that the classic pressure > lubricated sleeve bearings are used on the > connecting rods. > > > <34add2aa.jpg> > > > > > > >> As long as the rod and main bearings are good, the idea that the crank ca n come apart is simply a distraction. Porsche 4-cam racing engines used a si milar design, although they keyed theirs. But Still... Your Mileage May Vary . > > . . . I've not heard of crank disassembly > in the field . . . those engines have been > around for a very long time. It's hard > to argue with success! > > A short web-cruise did turn up this crank > failure accident > > http://tinyurl.com/lzhk22s > > which failed to identify any errors of manufacture. > The press-fit technology is not a high-risk > process. Interruption fits of highly stressed > parts has along history of success. > > Also found an AD against a production batch > of Rotax 912 cranks for suspected vulnerability > to cracking. > > All incidents of slipped assembly joints > I found were byproducts of prop strikes. > I think there's a slip clutch mod that > reduces probability of a prop-strike from > over-torque slipping of the joints. > > All in all, a pretty clean track record. > > do not archive. > > > > Bob . . .




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