At least I didn't say you were psychotic!! Mind you, you seem a little
nervous about using these struts so what's the term for that?? ;o)))))
Bob P use to bad mouth these things but I bet I couldn't even try to steal
them off his -XWI without being electrocuted or shot, now that he's flown
them for a few years!
;o))<<<<<
#1/
Firstly, I only preload the springs enough to make sure they don't rattle or
move around. Doing so anymore would take away the initial cushioning when
you land as they load up to the static weight. IF you preloaded them it
would be like landing with fixed struts (like Jack Weibe did with his first
try at building his set!!)
Yes, of course the aircraft sitting static (at 1G) is going to compress the
springs. If it was on solid steel wheels (or skis) they theoretically will
get compressed about 5/8" (so that I guess really calculates to 2.4G's to
bottom them if no tires to help the impact). In reality, when sitting on
6.00 x 6 tires at 25 psi or 8.00 x 6 turf's at 18psi the spring gets
compressed about 3/8" as the tires take some of the deflection in the side
walls. I have thought about adding a rubber Mooney shock donut to the
assembly many times, but it is just something that will deteriorate and add
a maintenance element to the whole thing. As they are, they only need a very
rare blast of high pressure grease from a spray can in the slider slot so
why add to the upkeep? Also, even though you may bottom the strut in a badly
botched landing, the tire keeps this from becoming a slide hammer assembly,
at least until you get on a pair of skis!!;o(( When on skis you need to
be a little more careful when landing on a hard lake surface, where there
isn't any snow to help with the cushion!
#2/
A second pair of springs would add about 3 more pounds, 4 at the very most.
Tried the springs in hand step on the scale, springs on bench step on the
scale and it wasn't consistent so approximating at the 3 to 3.5lb area for a
pair.
#3/
Sure I can leave the inner tube sticking out long enough to pick up the
extra spring, but I would have to drill a hole at the 12" length to peg it
and then do the hole for the 6" location on the inner tube again, so both
could be used and still keep the proper finished length on the strut. At
this point you may as well buy the extra 2 springs as well!
#4/
Yes, definitely you want to get Gord's end pieces in place first before
taking your measurements. It shouldn't really change it, if you get them in
place exactly where the old inserts where, but why not be smart/accurate
about it and measure when the legs have been upgraded.
#5/
Any aircraft that I have put these struts onto has sat pretty much level at
all times (unless maybe you have one FULL tanks and one empty, but even then
I don't think you'd notice). Most I have seen on bungees sit crooked for
various reasons whether it's uneven bungee pressure, or the incorrect strut
length in the first place. I have NEVER received an identical measurement
for the struts length (usually not even side to side on the same aircraft!!)
while doing these due to different vintages of wishbones/axle
gussets/landing gear legs etc with as much as an inch+ variance from
shortest to longest, yet MAM's manual gets you to make them a specified
length or to assemble as received. For instance the factory built struts on
FOKM don't even allow the right wheel to go in far enough to sit straight
and it always looks like the aircraft is overweight on the right side (I
know because I have it in the hanger on wheels while I work on the floats
and the one wing tip sits about 7" lower than the other!). The left side is
just short enough to allow the tire to sit straight. There are 12 brand new
9044 premade loops on the struts so it's not uneven pressure. In reality the
struts should be made shorter than required so when there is some weight on
the things the tires will sit straight.
Hope that all helps,
Wayne
----- Original Message -----
From: <
klehman@albedo.net>
To: <
murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 9:57 AM
Subject: Re: die spring gear
Hmmm actually I think it's "psycho" that they usually call me...
I'm sure it's some kind of compliment; probably about the same as
"psychic" eh??
1. The 1998 manual says to rig the safety cable to allow 3" of bungee
travel. I hate to give up travel unless there is at least some rubber
doughnuts to cushion things at the travel limits. So some questions if I
may: Does 1.5" of spring travel to bottom one spring mean that with the
weight on the gear there is 1.5" more spring movement available, or does
the static weight of the aircraft take up some of that 1.5" ? Reading
through the archives suggests that the springs might be at least
partially preloaded.
2. Another 6.5# on top of my umm other airframe excess's give me a
little pause. Approximately how much more weight would the second pair
of springs option add?
3. would it be feasable to purchase the single spring units with the
internal tube left long enough so that they could possibly be upgraded
to dual springs later if the need arose? I realize more milling and
welding would be required.
4. I have a set of Gordon Mohr's bushings on order. Rather than using my
present measurements it sounds like it might be better to install those
bushings first? (While warmer than Georgian Bay, at the moment the
daytime high temperatures around here are still too darn low to be
called a decent 'high' - so nothing is going to happen real soon - if
you get my drift)
5. With a saggy set of bungees, you sometimes see a Rebel sit with one
wing low. I'm guessing that does not happen with the die spring mod ?
Probably depends on whether the springs are indeed preloaded.
thanks
Ken
Wayne G. O'Shea wrote:
Boy I swear you guys are psychic!!
snip
Wayne G. O'Shea wrote:
Adds approximately 6.5 lbs, over the original weight of a PAIR of the
aluminum struts and bungees, with the single 6" springs.
*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*
*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*
*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*
To unsubscribe from this list go to:
http://www.dcsol.com:81/public/code/html-subscribe.wcx
Archives located at
http://rebel:builder@www.dcsol.com:81/default.htm
To contact the list admin, e-mail
mike.davis@dcsol.com
*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*
-----------------------------------------------------------------
List archives located at:
https://mail.dcsol.com/login
username "rebel" password "builder"
Unsubscribe:
rebel-builders-unsubscribe@dcsol.com
List administrator:
mike.davis@dcsol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------