Return-Path: Received: from wind.imbris.com ([216.18.130.7]) by ns1.olsusa.com (Post.Office MTA v3.5.3 release 223 ID# 0-64832U3500L350S0V35) with ESMTP id com for ; Mon, 18 Dec 2000 11:23:28 -0500 Received: from regandesigns.com (nortel131-89.imbris.com [216.18.131.89]) by wind.imbris.com (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id IAA25483 for ; Mon, 18 Dec 2000 08:31:05 -0800 (PST) Message-ID: <3A3E1F8B.6A14C6D3@regandesigns.com> Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2000 08:30:35 -0600 From: Brent Regan To: Lancair List Subject: Re: MIA, static wicks X-Mailing-List: lancair.list@olsusa.com Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com Mime-Version: 1.0 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> The rumors of my demise are exaggerated ;) Actually I haven't had much relevant to say so I was keeping quiet. On the topic of static wicks, I put 8 on my IV-P which resulted an order of magnitude improvement over no wicks at all. I am sure 16 would be better as they would have the effect of adding series resistors to ground. In fact adding 1000 wicks would be better still, with only a small effect on useful load and a slightly larger effect on speed;) How much better is the big question but 8 in my case is satisfactory. As with most things, installation details will effect the performance of the wicks and therefore the number required for a comparable result. I added a couple of rolls of copper shielding tape to my airframe to be sure that all wicks, carbon parts and antenna ground planes were grounded to aircraft electrical ground. Using an ohm meter and long test leads I measured less than 4 ohms from any conductive point on the airframe to electrical ground. Think of an airplane in flight as one plate of a giant capacitor, the earth being the other and the atmosphere between them the dielectric, an electrical component of Tesla proportions. Rubbing the airplane on the atmosphere strips off electrons that "charge" the airframe. The little points on the tips of the static wicks provide spring boards that let the electrons jump off the airframe and back into the atmosphere. On an ES, the skin charges first and when there is enough charge, it starts to leak into other parts of the airplane, the control linkages, the electrical system and you. Some pilots have reported being shocked through their headsets and control grips. Adding static wicks to the electrical ground will let those pesky wild electrons drain off before they collect in your hair and crash the civilized trained electron party going on in your radio and other electrical devices. It is not as efficient as draining them right off the skin but it is better than nothing. There was an interesting discussion on static wicks several months ago. Check the archives. Regards Brent Regan >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>