Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. IFMT added a post in a topic Earth X Battery Warning!!!   

    Go with an absorbent glass mat. Light for the output and totally sealed. Here's some info:http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/absorbent_glass_mat_agm
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  2. Luked added a post in a topic Empty weight   

    Hmm... I think what Bandit is trying to say is that the extra mass in the fuselage holds itself in space more than less mass would. Since the extra mass has less "give", the wings give more. When turbulence hits the light plane, the mass moves more easily with the turbulence resulting in less need for the wings to give.
     
    No doubt the ride is better in the heavier plane though. You'll be getting thrown around a bit more in the light plane.
     
    Luke D.
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  3. marksires added a post in a topic Empty weight   

    That would be true if the force increased in proportion to the weight increase, but with turbulence, the force is the same, so heavier wing loading results in less response to the force, so less damage.  If in my analogy the rat was shaken by a chihuhua, and the groundhog was shaken by a great dane, both would probably have the same damage.
     
     
     
    Mark
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  4. Bandit added a post in a topic Earth X Battery Warning!!!   

    That scares me glad you were on the ground!
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  5. Bandit added a post in a topic Empty weight   

    I guess I was thinking you hang more weight on the exact same wing you would get more wing flex in a heavier airplane than a light one in rough air.
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  6. High Country added a post in a topic Earth X Battery Warning!!!   

    I've decided to relocate the battery forward of the F/W and at some point plan to replace the fuel lines with aluminum. I've contacted earth X and am working on getting this taken care of. will definitely be going with a different battery. I've lost faith in lithium technology. 
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  7. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Earth X Battery Warning!!!   

    For what it's worth, I wouldn't have any battery that close to an unprotected fuel line, either.
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  8. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Earth X Battery Warning!!!   

    I'm sorry for the misfortune, but as you say at least you weren't in the air at the time.

    Personally I'm not sold on lithium batteries at at this point I wouldn't have one in my plane. I'll stick with my pc680 odyssey.
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  9. marksires added a post in a topic Empty weight   

    Yes, for turbulence, heavier is better.  G forces is all about acceleration, and heavier means more inertia and acceleration is slower.  The way I think about it my dog grabbing a rat and shaking it (light - head accelerates, neck snaps) versus grabbing a big groundhog and shaking it (heavy, can't accelerate it as fast, neck doesn't snap, dog gets bit and runs away whining).  Same dog, same force used to shake, but heavier has less damage.
    Mark
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  10. High Country added a post in a topic N139AH   

    The main gear legs and bungee struts are from Ridge Runner. I made the cabane from scratch. It would be a piece of cake to make bungee struts for the factory bush gear that Brett and others sell if someone wanted to convert from the springs. This gear also sits 10" wider than Bretts. its awesome on ground handling.
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  11. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic N139AH   

    Bummer about the battery, but better now then when in the air.  Plane looks very nice in the pictures.  I looked at your landing gear, and can see that it uses bungees instead of springs.  I had thought bungees might be better as they would be more adjustable (another wrap if needed) and lighter.  Did someone make the gear for you or do you have plans for the bungees instead of springs?  Thanks,  Jim Chuk
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  12. High Country added a post in a topic N139AH   

    One step forward and two steps backwards. guess that's how it goes sometimes. I made my first engine start and taxi this past weekend all was great up until my earth x battery had a major meltdown. once I get that all fixed I will be pretty close to having the DAR come out and take a look





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  13. High Country added a topic in Avid and Kitfox parts Suppliers   

    Earth X Battery Warning!!!
    So I finally made my first engine start this past weekend! all was good went through the rotax break in procedure then did a little taxing, (love the extra wide gear)]when I pulled back up to my hanger I notice blue liquid dripping down into my floor boards followed by lots of white smoke. when I finally had the whole instrument panel to firewall soaked in water and got the battery out it was not a pretty sight. bad ending to an otherwise great day. as it turns out its not too uncommon for these earth x batteries to just have a major melt down like this I'm just grateful I wasn't in the air when it happened. I was hoping to be ready for inspection in a week or so but now im a couple more weeks out as I have to go and fix all the damage. also plan to relocate the battery to the engine side of the firewall in case there ever were an incident again it would at least be going down the fire wall to the ground rather than on my feet. I will not be using nor would I ever recommend an earth x battery to anyone after this and reading about many others who have had this exact same problem. when I get my money back I'm going with a different brand.
     




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  14. EDMO added a post in a topic Empty weight   

    Me too - just cant take all those bumps like when I was young  - years ago I hit a hole in the sky in a 150 and when I hit bottom something tore in my center chest - hurt so bad I had to find an alternate airport and get another pilot to bring me and the plane home - had a real bad day - real careful now.
    - Not early morning person tho - I fly late and hope my lights get me by as the sun goes down -
    My flying buddy is the opposite - he gets me up before daylight, and I wake up about 2 hours into the flight!
    EDMO
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  15. EDMO added a post in a topic Supereyes borescope   

    I would like to buy one, but probably couldn't learn how to program or use it.
    Looks impressive tho.
    EDMO
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  16. Bandit added a post in a topic Empty weight   

    The technical stuff is all Greek to me. Turbulence scares me that's why I fly early mornings and late in the day.
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  17. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Airventure 2014   

    Scattered storms on Saturday. Will probably fetch you with ground transport.

    I'm hoping I'm able to get the plane over there in the am...
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  18. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Airventure 2014   

    How much luggage do you have?
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  19. akflyerbob added a post in a topic Supereyes borescope   

    Thanks Doug, called it up and got one ordered.
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  20. EDMO added a post in a topic Empty weight   

    Bandit,
          I agree with what you said because it sounds logical - However, physics is not the same as we think logical.  It has something to do with vertical velocity, stall angles and kinetic energy - You are going to have to go to an engineer for the explanation - I have read it several times, and it sort-of makes sense.   something like comparing a rock with a kite???   This is partly why ultralights cant handle wind and rough air - I think the dividing line is somewhere around 6 or 7 lbs/square foot? 
    Like feeling the bumps in a J3 compared to a smoother ride in a Comanche.
    EDMO
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  21. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Airventure 2014   

    I arrive Into Green Bay about 230pm on Saturday. After that I am a hitchhiker and totally flexible to whatever it takes to make things as easy as possible for Larry.
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  22. Bandit added a post in a topic Empty weight   

    I new what you meant Ed, I agree, a heavier airplane will take turbulance better, but wouldn't a lighter plane have less stress on the airframe in rough air? It would be like hanging 200lbs in the middle of a 12ft 2x2 with a guy on each end and bouncing it as hard as they could,then hang 50lbs in the same spot and do the same. I think there would be more stress on the 2x2 with the heavier weight.
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  23. EDMO added a post in a topic Empty weight   

    Bandit,
          Sounds like you have done a great job making and flying a plane that suits your needs.
    The "ultralight" comment was not a critical comment, just comparing your light bird with most others of the AFF family.
          I know that the comment about "light weight planes cant take turbulence as well" defies logic, but we have gone thru that scenario on this site and others, and it actually holds true scientifically, but hard to imagine without some proven facts being written.   Wing-loading is the deciding factor.  Heavier wing-loaded planes don't get tossed as violently as lighter ones.
    Wishing you "Good Flying" and Congrats on your successes.
    EDMO 
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  24. lv2plyguitar added a post in a topic Merlin GT   

    Wow,  that is a great setup.  Hope I get mine together soon.  I have got to do something about that landing gear.  Its to small.
     
    Thanks
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  25. Luked added a post in a topic Merlin GT   

    Hi Jeff,
     
    I was searching around on google, and ran across this:
     
    http://crufc.ca/classifieds/macair-merlin/
     
    Made me think of your project since it's got an O-200. Looks like an old ad, but thought it was still interesting.
     
    Luke D.
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