Really-From: olsen@eai.com
Message-ID: <3679245D.9C531971@eai.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 08:33:49 -0700
From: "Daniel M. Olsen" <olsen@eai.com>
Organization: Engineering Animation, Inc.
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Subject: Balancing LC20 elevators
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Greetings,

I recently balanced the elevators on my 360 and thought I would
share what worked very well for me.

First, I did not care for the lead "spoons" and how the manual
recommends cutting open the counterweight arm to insert them
after they are closed out.  I also think that installing them
before close out is not very accurate and does not account for
the Hysol used, etc.

I went ahead and closed them out with not weight in them.  When
the elevators were closed out, trim tab installed, bid tapes
installed on tips, etc., hinged the elevators to the stab.  Then
taped an epoxy mixing cup to the top of the counterweight area
near the front of the arm (approx. where you think the weight to
be).  Pour lead shot (from my local hunting store -- $12 for 25 lbs)
in the cup until the elevator balances out.

I then drilled about a 1/2" hold on the inside of the counterweight
arm.  Mix up some epoxy and add the lead shot to it.  Pour (using
a paper funnel) the lead shot/epoxy slurry into the hole in the
counterweight arm.  Then stand the elevator (already removed from
the stab.) such that the front of the counterweight arm is down and
all the slurry runs to the front.  A couple hours later you have
a nice custom-molded counterweight.

Since the initial balancing of the elevator with lead shot in the
cup is not and exact science you might have to tweak it.  One of
mine ended up a little too heavy and the other a little too light.
On the heavy one I just drilled out some of the lead until I was
happy with the balance.  On the light one I just mixed up a little
more slurry and added it.  All of this only took a couple of hours.


Dan Olsen