CHECK YOUR LINES!

Good eye

Cribbs74 wrote:What size is that line? It looks very large for that sleeve.

Good catch.

Ron, The line is .032" and the sleeve is 1/8" o.d. standard Brass tubing. It looks to be a defective seam by the way it's split. I replaced the sleeve with some K & S 1/8" o.d. Brass tubing that I had. I searched K & S to see if their tubing is listed as "seamless"... it does not state that it is.

I thought the spool of line that I have was a smaller diameter, but it's the same. I made up a shorter set of leads to use with the narrow spacing.

Excellent crimps on that handle!

I know it's overkill, but all mine get soldered. I'm a bit paranoid.

You probobly don't want to hear this, but solder is bad.

The solder makes the cable hard and does not allow it to flex as it should. Over time it will cause the cable to snap. Also solder flux can be corrosive and eat away the cable even if you don't see it.

Crimps or wire wrap is the way to go. I like wire wraps, but crimps are much quicker.

Cribbs74 wrote:You probobly don't want to hear this, but solder is bad.

The solder makes the cable hard and does not allow it to flex as it should. Over time it will cause the cable to snap. Also solder flux can be corrosive and eat away the cable even if you don't see it.

Crimps or wire wrap is the way to go. I like wire wraps, but crimps are much quicker.

I typed a similar reply a while ago, and then didn't want to be the voice of doom, so decided not to post it. The AMA quit recommending solder some years ago for that reason.
Rusty

Wire wraps with adhesive lined heat shrink or hot glue and regular heat shrink is awesome! Time consuming is right though.

I use crimps typically.

Phil

I was thinking the same thing Rusty. Then I figured it would be more helpful if it ended up saving a model.

I sure hope I am not coming off as a "know it all" because I am anything but. Truth be told it wasn't that long ago that I was soldering my leadouts as well.

Ron

Cribbs74 wrote: Truth be told it wasn't that long ago that I was soldering my leadouts as well.

Ron

Same here.

It was in the 2012-2013 AMA rule book as an acceptable practice, as it has been for as long as I am aware. Heat shrink and hot glue is much easier though.

Phil

I usually epoxy my wraps, but heat shrink is a good idea as well.

Cribbs74 wrote:I usually epoxy my wraps, but heat shrink is a good idea as well.

Epoxy is good, but shrink tube can trap moisture and hide its affects.

What do y'all clean your lines with? I use acetone on a paper towel, before and after. It vaporizes instantly. Around here, alcohol will leave a trail of water everywhere it touches. I have to dry droplets off of my wings after cleaning with alcohol.
Rusty

Clean lines? What's that?

Umm, maybe I should start doing that.

Water droplets, what's that?

JPvelo wrote:Water droplets, what's that?

You dang Arid-zonians!

Cribbs74 wrote:You probobly don't want to hear this, but solder is bad.

The solder makes the cable hard and does not allow it to flex as it should. Over time it will cause the cable to snap. Also solder flux can be corrosive and eat away the cable even if you don't see it.

Crimps or wire wrap is the way to go. I like wire wraps, but crimps are much quicker.

Weather I wanted to hear it or not, I glad I got the info. I'm going to cut the ends off and replace them. I'll be making a point to do a visual insp and not assume they're good to go.

I usually inspect lines when I run them out before the first flight. It's probably not a bad idea to do it more often or clean them as Rusty suggested. I should probably put a little more effort into it seeing as they are so important.