The Murphy Builders Site

I'm getting ready to install my elevator trim servo, and trying to figure
out a way to make it waterproof. The instructions that came with it say it
must be protected from water. It seems like it would be easily wetted from
spray running down the pushrod, or entering the elevator directly through
the pushrod exit hole.
Has anyone come up with something here? Put it in a condom or something? Has
anyone had a problem with moisture in the servo when on floats? It sure
seems like saltwater would make a mess in there.
Thanks
Jesse





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I'm getting ready to install my elevator trim servo, and trying to figure
out a way to make it waterproof.
Thanks
Jesse

Hi Jesse,

We buttoned up our elevator trim a couple of months ago and had your same
concerns, though we did not run across the warning in the instructions.
Basically we did two things to eliminate a water problem (hopefully).

First, our servo was mounted to a fairly heaftey plate (at least .065 I
think) that acted as the hole cover. We shaped it to also cover the adjacent
inspection hole. Given the stiffness of the cover the gasket we made from a
1/16 inchish automotive gasket material ... a rubberized cork ...looks like
it will keep any water out. We did have to put a slight curve/bend in the
front edge of the cover plate forming it to the front curve of the elevator.

Secondly, we used a fairing (the black plastic ones ACS sells, $5 a pair I
think) to enclose the push rod that exits the skin. It fit ours perfectly
and should deflect most of the water, if not all, thrown it's way.

Hope this helps a bit,
Don B.







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I think the only way water will see it's way in is if you tie the stick back
with your seat belt and leave the airplane outside. This elevator up would
be the only time water would run down the rod and into the servo.

That said...you should never leave a taildragger tied down wth the elevator
up...it should be tied in the down or neutral postion so it you get a
tailwind the tail gets pushed down...not lifted up. I use a heavy bungee
cord around my sticks that gets clipped to the underside of the panel. And
like Bob always says.... external control locks are an absolute must with
flaperons on the Rebel. I made a nice set for Garry's FOKM for their trip
home to Calgary.

Cheers,
Wayne

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Boardman" <dboardm3@twcny.rr.com>
To: <rebel-builders@dcsol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 10:54 PM
Subject: Re: trim servo waterproofing

I'm getting ready to install my elevator trim servo, and trying to

figure

out a way to make it waterproof.
Thanks
Jesse

Hi Jesse,

We buttoned up our elevator trim a couple of months ago and had your same
concerns, though we did not run across the warning in the instructions.
Basically we did two things to eliminate a water problem (hopefully).

First, our servo was mounted to a fairly heaftey plate (at least .065 I
think) that acted as the hole cover. We shaped it to also cover the

adjacent

inspection hole. Given the stiffness of the cover the gasket we made from

a

1/16 inchish automotive gasket material ... a rubberized cork ...looks

like

it will keep any water out. We did have to put a slight curve/bend in the
front edge of the cover plate forming it to the front curve of the

elevator.

Secondly, we used a fairing (the black plastic ones ACS sells, $5 a pair I
think) to enclose the push rod that exits the skin. It fit ours perfectly
and should deflect most of the water, if not all, thrown it's way.

Hope this helps a bit,
Don B.







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