Matronics Email Lists Forum Index Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
 
 Get Email Distribution Too!Get Email Distribution Too!    FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Why use starter contactor (fire)

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> AeroElectric-List
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
gmcjetpilot(at)yahoo.com
Guest





PostPosted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 6:44 am    Post subject: Why use starter contactor (fire) Reply with quote

Quote:
From: sportav8r(at)aol.com wrote

>I don't think the hot wire to the starter is to worry about, since it is

Quote:
controllable via the battery contactor in event of smelling smoke... not
perfect protection but at least control.

-Bill B

Good point, I agree. I stated:

"The only down side is that 3-4 foot length of 2-4 AWG is hot all the time
the master is on".

If the master is off before impact it's a moot point, but light airplanes are
notoriously not cash worthy. The steel tube frame is best, aluminum
semi- monoquoque structure is OK, but as a RV builder the fuselage is
not that robust. However the beauty of the RV is integral wing tanks
outside the cockpit and slow stall. Fiberglass / composites, are one of
the worst. It does not deform or yield to absorb energy. It strains and than
ruptures like an egg. As far as fire any plane that has fuel in the cockpit
is at risk of being a future weenie roast.


>Dave Morris WROTE:
Quote:

This happened to a friend of mine who would have walked away from a
crash if it had not been for that one little spark.

Your comments about skin graph are quite graphic. Sorry to hear about
your friend but I don't think the fat starter cable would have made a
difference. He had fuel and a spark, what would another spark have
mattered. Besides as Bob, sportav8 pointed out, the master relay will
eliminate the issue all together if you turn it off, but it does not matter, if
you are comfortable with the FW contactor than put one on. I am just no
convinced it will eliminate the chance of fire significantly. If you look at
firewalls of RV's with big bare copper straps and fuse blocks all cluster
just a foot or so away from the gascolator does not give me warm
fuzziness. I guess the best defense is practice you emergency forced
landing procedures and remember to turn the fuel and electrics off before
the ground smite ye mightily.


Quote:
What's a few bucks, guys? My experience with this friend of mine has made
me a believer in steel braided fuel hose, Earl's fittings, Nomex clothing,
and a lot of other things that may cost a few dollars extra, but could
avoid years of skin graft surgery.

I would suggest the heavy duty integral fire sleeve (brown) fuel lines from
StratoFlex or Aeroequip. I don't think Earls' has that? Also an aerospace
quality hose, if you are worried about fuel leaks and fire, should be made by
an approved shop. It cost a lot more than Earl's, and as you say what's a
few extra dollars. Also Nomex and helmets and gloves are all good stuff.
Bird strikes are deadly in fast homebuilts with thin plexiglass windows. The
window on the 757 I fly has multi-panes and very thick. The 250 kts limit
below 10,000 feet is in part for bird strike. I had one and it shattered the
windscreen. It happened at 9,000 feet! It held. So I expect to see you with
a helmet and eye protection and a nomex flight suite going fast Dave.


George

---------------------------------


- The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum -
 

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List
Back to top
rv8ch



Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 250
Location: Switzerland

PostPosted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 7:41 am    Post subject: Why use starter contactor (fire) Reply with quote

Quote:
Bird strikes are deadly in fast homebuilts with thin plexiglass windows.
... So I expect to see you with
a helmet and eye protection and a nomex flight suite going fast Dave.


Although I know it would be a good idea, I just can't see
myself flying around with a helmet in an RV without getting
paid. However, speaking of eye protection, can anyone
recommend some good eye protection in case of a bird strike?

In keeping with the spirit of this list, they can be
wired to the airplane electric system, battery operated,
or unpowered. Smile

Thanks!
--
Mickey Coggins
http://www.rv8.ch/
#82007 finishing
do not archive


- The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum -
 

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List

_________________
Mickey Coggins
http://www.rv8.ch/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Gilles.Thesee(at)ac-greno
Guest





PostPosted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 7:52 am    Post subject: Why use starter contactor (fire) Reply with quote

Mickey Coggins a crit :

Quote:




>Bird strikes are deadly in fast homebuilts with thin plexiglass windows.
>... So I expect to see you with
>a helmet and eye protection and a nomex flight suite going fast Dave.
>
>
Although I know it would be a good idea, I just can't see
myself flying around with a helmet in an RV without getting
paid. However, speaking of eye protection, can anyone
recommend some good eye protection in case of a bird strike?



Hi all,

Fighter pilots always fly with visor down.
My friends warbird pilots fly with nomex suits and crash helmets.

Regards,
Gilles Thesee
Grenoble, France
http://contrails.free.fr


- The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum -
 

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List
Back to top
VE3LVO(at)rac.ca
Guest





PostPosted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 12:54 pm    Post subject: Why use starter contactor (fire) Reply with quote

|
| I would suggest the heavy duty integral fire sleeve (brown) fuel lines
from
| StratoFlex or Aeroequip. I don't think Earls' has that? Also an aerospace
| quality hose, if you are worried about fuel leaks and fire, should be made
by
| an approved shop. It cost a lot more than Earl's, and as you say what's a
| few extra dollars. Also Nomex and helmets and gloves are all good stuff.
| Bird strikes are deadly in fast homebuilts with thin plexiglass windows.
The
| window on the 757 I fly has multi-panes and very thick. The 250 kts limit
| below 10,000 feet is in part for bird strike. I had one and it shattered
the
| windscreen. It happened at 9,000 feet! It held. So I expect to see you
with
| a helmet and eye protection and a nomex flight suite going fast Dave.
George

Also - You turn on the landing lights below ten for the same reason - birds.
Cheers, Ferg


- The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum -
 

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List
Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> AeroElectric-List All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group