Search found 93 matches

by dmcnicholl
Sat Sep 17, 2016 9:48 pm
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Tachometer reading erratic
Replies: 9
Views: 11878

Re: Tachometer reading erratic

Mike, Thank you for your reply too. Before I do commit to a new gauge, and I will if I have to, I'll have a look at my P-lead. The switch connection appears to be sound but it's rather more fiddly to get into the mag end, so I have not yet investigated, but I think that's the next item on my agenda....
by dmcnicholl
Sat Sep 17, 2016 5:29 pm
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Tachometer reading erratic
Replies: 9
Views: 11878

Re: Tachometer reading erratic

Thanks for the reply, Colin. I did consider that it might just be that the instrument is at the end of its life but thought I'd investigate other possible causes and try to pick the brains of others. Fortunately Westach still sell the same model, or at any rate Aircraft Spruce still list it. I know ...
by dmcnicholl
Fri Sep 16, 2016 6:55 pm
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Tachometer reading erratic
Replies: 9
Views: 11878

Tachometer reading erratic

My aeroplane has a Westach tachometer of the type which picks up an electrical impulse from the P-lead. Not sure of the exact model number but it's at least similar to the WS3ATU32, 3-1/8" diameter with a 240° needle sweep. It has been in the panel for nearly a couple of decades but lately it's read...
by dmcnicholl
Mon Jun 20, 2016 8:42 am
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: 8.33 Radios
Replies: 20
Views: 19582

Re: 8.33 Radios

I absolutely agree with Gerry Holland. If something is mandated and there is a cost attached it should be zero rated for VAT, quite aside from any other financial help that may be on offer. We're not all VAT registered businesses.
by dmcnicholl
Sun Jun 05, 2016 9:42 am
Forum: Sales & Wants
Topic: Wanted, 2mm mahogany plywood
Replies: 1
Views: 2157

Re: Wanted, 2mm mahogany plywood

Material has been sourced.
by dmcnicholl
Sat May 28, 2016 9:53 pm
Forum: Sales & Wants
Topic: Wanted, 2mm mahogany plywood
Replies: 1
Views: 2157

Wanted, 2mm mahogany plywood

I have a small repair to make to my aircraft and I'm trying to get hold of a smallish piece of aircraft grade ply. NOT birch. I need to match what's there and I understand that Gaboon or Okoume are acceptable replacements, 2mm thick, 3 ply, minimum requirement 300mm square but larger would be nice. ...
by dmcnicholl
Sat May 07, 2016 9:17 am
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: VW Ali engine barrels with iron liners
Replies: 3
Views: 4365

Re: VW Ali engine barrels with iron liners

I haven't attempted this although I am aware that it has been done. Nor do I know your technical capabilities. But, the discontinuity between a liner and the barrel forms a break in the heat transfer path from the liner to the outer barrel with its cooling fins regardless of how close and exact an i...
by dmcnicholl
Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:44 pm
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Gas strut canopy support CH 601HDS
Replies: 3
Views: 3815

Re: Gas strut canopy support CH 601HDS

David, I have no idea if the forward hinging canopy is retrofittable (?) to the Zodiac. The one owned by my friend is a different aircraft to the one that opened in flight. I suppose anything is doable but it may not be easily doable. I don't know. Thinking back rather further I have other friends w...
by dmcnicholl
Sun Sep 20, 2015 8:38 am
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Gas strut canopy support CH 601HDS
Replies: 3
Views: 3815

Re: Gas strut canopy support CH 601HDS

I don't doubt that gas struts could be used, but a word of caution. A friend fitted gas struts to the gull wing doors on his aircraft, not a Zenair, and all seemed well…until a door opened in flight. Post incident investigation in the hangar determined that the door latching plate on that side had a...
by dmcnicholl
Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:44 am
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Champion REL37B spark plugs
Replies: 7
Views: 6628

Re: Champion REL37B spark plugs

Thanks Rob, I had not heard of that resistor check so another thing to investigate. In the meantime I have received information from Champion themselves, who say: The REL37B "twin electrode" is not a true fine wire. Fine wire plugs use precious metal electrodes whereas the massive electrode and twin...
by dmcnicholl
Wed May 27, 2015 8:21 pm
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Champion REL37B spark plugs
Replies: 7
Views: 6628

Re: Champion REL37B spark plugs

Ivan, yes I know about these, thanks. I have in the past experimented with different leads and car plugs and suffered several plug failures including one on climb out and another whilst crossing the Grampians. Those got my attention! So at the moment I am where I am with good reason. The aviation ha...
by dmcnicholl
Tue May 26, 2015 8:11 pm
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Champion REL37B spark plugs
Replies: 7
Views: 6628

Re: Champion REL37B spark plugs

Hmmm. Was that too much information, or the wrong information, or maybe no one knows.
by dmcnicholl
Tue May 19, 2015 5:50 pm
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Champion REL37B spark plugs
Replies: 7
Views: 6628

Re: Champion REL37B spark plugs

Rob, thanks for the reply. Rectimo VW conversion with magneto ignition. Aviation type harness with screw on connectors, hence the aviation type spark plugs. I have been advised by a friend in the motor repair and tuning business that NGK are best but then I'd need to change the harness to accept car...
by dmcnicholl
Sun May 17, 2015 10:37 pm
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Champion REL37B spark plugs
Replies: 7
Views: 6628

Champion REL37B spark plugs

Can anyone give advice on the life of REL37B spark plugs? My inspector has raised the question and I haven't an answer. They're used in a VW boxer aero conversion.
by dmcnicholl
Wed May 06, 2015 6:46 am
Forum: Aircraft Construction & Maintenance
Topic: Icom A6E
Replies: 15
Views: 13815

Re: Icom A6E

Thank you Rob for the surprisingly straightforward info on power regulation. I had assumed it would be much more technical than that. Interesting too Mike's heads-up on the Vertex's (Vertices?) though as a bit of a dinosaur I do long for simplicity in modern electronic devices. They're like DVD paye...