Aircraft saving advice
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (8)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Beckley,
WV
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aircraft saving advice
Wow, came extremely close to loosing my Doghouse eXtreme yesterday. I've got about 20+ flights on this plane and yesterday after taking off, something fell off the plane. It was the tank hatch. Oh no, the battery was under the tank hatch. So I try and be as gentle as possible and land it. No problems, it landed fine with the battery hanging over the side of the fuselage. The only reason it stayed attached is because of a tip I found on an airplane I bought from someone else. It really is a no brainer, but it will save your plane/heli if the batter comes loose. Buy some 1/2 inch shrink wrap and cut a 2 inch piece to place around the battery connection and shrink with a heat gun. It saved the doghouse today, might save yours tomorrow.
Andy
Andy
#3
Senior Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Galloway,
OH
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aircraft saving advice
I use dental floss. Just thread it through the wires and around the plug and tie off. It works great and easily undone when you want to. I tie off all my battery and extension connections.
DEG
DEG
#6
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: CamborneCornwall, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 6,136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aircraft saving advice
these ones came free with a Mag, i think they where the UK make Radio Active. black plastic, 4cm long, with 2 slots at each end, you put the plug in the middle and the wire slid into the slots.
it happened my run was tightish, which is why i used it, it would have lasted longer if it was slacker. or if the slot moulding was rounder.
it happened my run was tightish, which is why i used it, it would have lasted longer if it was slacker. or if the slot moulding was rounder.
#8
Member
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: clermont, FL,
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shrink tubing
Shrink tubing is great for many applications. they come in so many sizes that things from splicing, grouping, securing, protecting from rubbing, to name a few. They sell it at all LHS but in that arena they can be costly. I get it here in Orlando at Space Craft for $1.00 for three feet. This must be available to all at some place or another.
#9
Senior Member
My Feedback: (20)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Clayton,
NC
Posts: 2,249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aircraft saving advice
I use the dental floss trick and heat shrink. you can't beat the cost of dental floss!! I don't like to tie my wires into a knot as it puts to much strain on the wires and connectors.
Doug
Doug
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Greeneville, TN
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aircraft saving advice
I generally use bread ties on connections that worry me (battery, aileron extensions, etc). One bread tie will thread through the wires and twist 4 or 5 times on top. Flatten the twist out, and it's ready to go.
Solid, and cheap.
Solid, and cheap.
#11
Senior Member
My Feedback: (19)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Walnut Ridge, AR
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aircraft saving advice
Here's a device I use. I get them from Don's Hobby Shop. This is probably what Bob said he has been using. The picture is crappy, but you'll get the idea.
#13
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: west,
TX
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lead locks
For a more permanent connection I use heat shrink.
For aileron ext. and leads I have to pull off more frequently, I use my wifes rubber bands from her braces. quick, simple, cheap and most of all effective.
For aileron ext. and leads I have to pull off more frequently, I use my wifes rubber bands from her braces. quick, simple, cheap and most of all effective.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: The Woodlands,
TX
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Saving your plane
I have been using medical tape for all connections and it has never failed me. It is also reusable for connecting the aerilons leads.
I ejected a 1800 mill pack out of the canopy of my 36% Edge once, and the tape held the connection. I added a second battery pack that day, too.
I ejected a 1800 mill pack out of the canopy of my 36% Edge once, and the tape held the connection. I added a second battery pack that day, too.
#16
Aircraft saving advice
I've also used film splicing tape (yeah, everyone has that stuff right?) It comes in a variety of "styles", transparent pink, blue, green, and solid black. Kodak's version is pliable like electrical tape, but does not leave a residue and will not "release" like electrical tape. The other variety is a stiffer more "plastic-like" material that also leaves no residue, peels off fairly easily, and is moisture and chemical resistant (I've covered padlocks with the stuff and it doesn't fall off after years of sitting in the weather).
You can sometimes buy it from a local one-hour shop, photo lab or supply store and is called film splicing tape, or leader-card tape.
You can sometimes buy it from a local one-hour shop, photo lab or supply store and is called film splicing tape, or leader-card tape.
#17
Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Melb, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aircraft saving advice
the problem with heatshrink is, if you're anything like me you're constantly changing batteries, connections, Recievers etc. I just use medical tape.