acw

My Feedback: (1)

I'm building a Comp-ARF Extra 330 (2.3m). The fuselage is in fiberglass. Since both aileron servos and stab servos are mounted in the wings / stabs, I need to run some wire through the fuselage. I'm concerned that the fiberglass will cut through the wires sooner or later and I would like to install some rubber grommet on the fuselage to protect the wires.

The question is: do you guys know where to get some grommet large enough to allow for standard servos plugs? I looked on TBM / Chief sites but did not find anything.

Thanks

Arnaud

bob_nj

My Feedback: (62)

If you can't find grommets, maybe you can put tape or split fuel tubing over the wire where it contacts the fuse?
I do this on engine wires around the firewall on the gassers.

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

Any hardware store has assorted sizes of grommets in the electrical supply department. If that fails try an auto supply store. Just find one in a size that suits and cut the hole to fit the grommet.

Zeeb

My Feedback: (41)

Don't forget to check out your local Harbor Freight outlet, you can usually pick up an assortment of different sizes. I've also found them at Lowes, Home Depot and even a Cal Ranch store near me...

By hardware stores, I was thinking about places like Ace Hardware when I mentioned Lowes and Home Depot Pat, not ignoring your suggestion, my local Ace store has a better selection of commonly used RC hardware than my local hobby shops in most cases.

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

Something really nice about a Comp Arf at the wing to fuselage junction is that you can cut a pretty big hole to fit things through and easily cover it up with the wing root. It makes sizing openings just too easy.

I hear ya when it comes to hardware stores and small parts selections. Often it's a wider selection at a much lower price than a hobby shop. You just have to know what to look for and where.

acw

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks everyone. I'll go grommet hunting this afternoon.

Arnaud

exeter_acres

My Feedback: (2)

Pat said it...any hardware store... Lowes, Home Depot, etc. etc. etc.

martinarcher

My Feedback: (10)

If you can't find it at the hardware store, Dons Hobby Shop has exactly what you are talking about.

acw

My Feedback: (1)

Yes, Dons Hobby Shop has exactly what I need. But the frustrating part is that their own online store doesn't sell their products!!!

OSH, here I come.

Arnaud

Mastertech

My Feedback: (31)

I don't use grommets. I put a single charge adapter on each side of the fuse and just plug the aileron servo lead into it. No losing servo leads and can be done with one hand. I also use these in a one piece wing inside the fuse.

http://search.horizonrc.com/index.js...20wires%20&N=0

JRPA024

Other brand radio's have the samething.

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

Ordering from Don's Hobby Shop is most efficiently done by phone via their 800 number. You get to talk to a real, honest to God, human on the other end of the connection and they never require you to enter information twice or lose the order and take you back to the main window.

It's an old concept that once used is found to be quite nice, as well as personally taylored to the individuals needs.

martinarcher

My Feedback: (10)

Well said.

acw

My Feedback: (1)

Yeah this is all good, unless you do have a strong foreign accent like me and then have to repeat everything 3 times and spell every little detail of the order.

For this reason, I prefer to buy online and in this case, I can't understand how is it possible that a company doesn't sell its own products.

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions! I'm all set!

Arnaud

Rcpilot

My Feedback: (78)

Zeeb said it--Harbor Freight. I picked up a plastic box of about 300 assorted rubber grommets for like $2. It don't get any easier than that. They also have heat shrink tubing in rolls. You need 3/8" size for servo connectors. I buy about 20 feet of it at a time. Cost about $1.50. Cut it into 1.5" pieces and use it around servo connectors and extension cables. Never had one come apart. When you are ready to change servos or gut the wrecked model -- just slice the heat shrink with an exacto knife and peel it off.

Hardware can be found at www.microfasteners.com. Every little 4-40, 6-32, 8-32, 10-24, 10-32 and 1/4-20 bolt you could ever want. All kinds of lengths. Plastic, aluminum, steel, stainless --whatever you want. Blind nuts, hex nuts, nylon lock nuts--they got it all. Lock washers, star washers, flat washers, fender washers, plastic washers--again--everything you need.

I haven't bought hardware from a hobby store or online hobby store in YEARS. About the only thing I buy from them is wheel collars and pushrod connectors. All nuts and bolts are bought from online sources at 1/100th the cost of the hobby stores. Where else can you buy 100 nylon 4-40 panhead bolts 1/2" long for $1.20? I use them for cowls. Have you ever seen a bulk package of 100 nuts in 8-32 size for $3 at a hobby shop? Usually they charge $5 for 4 of them.

Flyjets

My Feedback: (51)

Marine Supply has them as well.

U have to use them or the wires will Chaff.

I go one step further and run the wires inside a protective sleeve in that area as well.

Ian

RTK

My Feedback: (1)

I sometimes use silicon fuel line split and affixed in the hole with clear silicon.