lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Bill asks: <<Does anyone recall the info on the tiny connectors used in the rudder wiring to disconnect the rudder?>> With apologies to those who have heard this rant before...there is absolutely, positively no good reason to use connectors in the rudder / aileron trim wiring. Instead, splice the wires using solder and heat shrink. Strip about 8 - 10 mm of insulation off the wires (no nicks!), tin them, slip a 15 mm piece of heat shrink over one wire, solder the ends together facing each other and side by side, heat, shrink (verb). Use a larger piece of heat shrink over all the splices. The advantages are many. You can do this 5-10 times in the time it takes to terminate a connector. It is lighter. It is smaller. It is cheaper. It is FAR more reliable. On my plane, I did this once 7 years ago and have never needed to remove it. If you think you are saving money with some tin plated t**d, you are wrong. Exposed to the elements it will corrode and fail, probably during decent so you have to hold in a bunch of rudder on approach or cause a slip that unports the fuel pickup, killing the engine and causing a stall crash 3 feet short of the runway. The worst offenders are those Faston spades. There are exactly three of them on my plane, two on the Hobbs and one on the alternator field. In almost 800 flight hours I have had only one electrical problem. Guess where (hint: is wasn't the Hobbs). Good thing I had a secondary electrical system. Did I mention I hate connectors. I do you know. If you have to use a connector then only use properly crimped or soldered pins with gold plated contacts. The AMP CPC series (Digikey) is a good compromise between cost, weight and quality. Regards Brent Regan LML website: http://members.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair Please remember that purchases from the Builders' Bookstore assist with the management of the LML. Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.