Steve Dunne
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Posts posted by Steve Dunne
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John, thanks for your reply, but the housing will not move with just a hand grip, and so far I dare'nt use anything else. There is nothing to get a grip on to my sadly ignorant eye...
Ron, I did wonder about that. I agree with the show of rust around the bearing, not sure where from. The model is kept warm indoors, and uses low oil fuel.
What is the replacement part? (if it can be revealed online!)
Steve.
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Hi All, looking for some good advice on my Laser 200 inline twin.
It has flown very well for the past couple of years in an Acrowot XL modified as a test bed, now some 160 flights under its belt.
More recently, it has become much noisier on 18x8 and 20x8 props, with a clicking or knocking sound developing. It is now too noisy for club field flying!
General local opinion is that the front bearing is worn and needs replacing. I have to admit there is a very slight play from the crankshaft in the fron bearing, but my usual port of call for rescue and advice is, as we all know, now sadly unavailable.
I have changed bearings before in more mundane engines, but never in a Laser. Nevertheless, I removed the prop, driver etc., and cleared the front housing, removed the very long bolts, and am now stumped. The front part of the engine appears to be very flush to the crankcase, with some form of sealant/adhesive, and I can see no way of removing it other than blind, brute force??
Suggestions on how to remove the front housing without too much damage(!) very welcome...
Steve
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Deathly silence here, but not in any rush...
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On 22/03/2024 at 13:42, Ron Gray said:
Lucky you, one of my 200 inline twins went back to Laser 6 months ago to have a part replaced as there is a design fault (not Jon's fault, he was overruled on the design!) and I still haven't got it back. Jon's been waiting for the parts to be made for the last 6 months which just goes to show what things are like at AGC!
Hi Ron, I'm intrigued - my 200i is (so far!) running very well, apart from an occasional vibration issue that causes the carb needles to unwind. I've fixed that myself.
Perhaps you can let me know what the issue is, so that I can get it sorted if needs be?
Many thanks,
Steve.
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OK, point taken.
In my view, the importance of starting the rubber band stretch at the front dowels, is to ensure that the maximum tension is at the front (Leading edge) of the wing, so as to minimise the possibility of LE wing lift when the LE is raised relative to the air flow.
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I agree - On the Falcon, all eight bands are fitted diagonally, alternating from left to right.
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Unless I attach the bands front peg first, and stretched very tight...
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8 bands, very strong 8" x 1/2", fitted very tightly.
I can't lift the wing LE by hand, but a loop definitely lifts it at least 1/4" to put the wing off its location points!
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Just my 2p worth...
I have used rubber bands on many lively aircraft over the past fifty years or so, and I agree with the advice to fit to the front dowels first.
The latest banded model is the 102" KK Falcon, which although designed as free-flight and built as a tame rudder-elevator model, is occasionally persuaded to loop and roll 😬.
During these manoeuvres the wing definitely lifts off the fuz to an "interesting" degree, primarily at the leading edge.
When fitting the wing bands, 8" x 1/2", fitting them from the front dowel allows them to be stretched very tightly over the leading edge, minimising the wing lift. The slacker part of the band is over the trailing edge, which does not have as much lifting tendency.
I have observed the same on previous aircraft, such as the Andrews Aeromaster.
So - I agree with KD, front dowels first every time!
Steve
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Very nice flight, Ron!
I have a very old 3-channel version now dropping to bits due to over-use and imperfect landings...
Seeing yours, I have now ordered one of the same as a replacement - should be better with ailerons.
Are you able to let us know where your finally settled CG point is?
Many thanks,
Steve.
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Was really looking forward to this, but now unable to go due to health problems.
Have a great day everyone!
Steve.
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I was looking forward to the fly-in, and swapping notes on Laser engines, but sadly due to health problems I won't be able to make it.
Have a great day, everyone!
Steve.
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What a lot of lovely Stampes!
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What start time do you expect, please?
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I have no strong feelings either way - both sound good - but am all for the structured flying, dedicated slots.
Looking forward to the day!!!
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I use an old DX9 which is DSM2 compatible with several models, updated to the latest firmware versions as they are issued.
The DX9 still works happily with my old DSM2 receivers. The "unusable model" issue is an old one, fixed some years ago by Spektrum.
The fixes and other benefits of the latest firmware are valuable - I suggest you'll have no problems updating.
Steve.
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Hi Basil. Tail mounted servos are not shown on the plan - we have to work it out for ourselves. You can just see mine on some of the photographs on my falcon thread.
The two servos are attached to plates on either side of the fuselage, opposite each other.
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I too used the SLEC GRP cowl - very substantial, and I was easily able to cut hinged access doors from them.
Recommended.
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Hi Skippers,
Yes, the BBuckle plan shows dowel and bands.
In t'olden days there wasn't enough room in most vehicles for such a large tail permanently attached, and there was also the "knocked off rather than broken" effect for less than perfect landings (originally a free flight design, remember, then modified for single channel...)
I ignored the dowel, lengthened the fin to go down through the stabiliser and fuz, glued the stab to the fuz top and the base of the fin to the fuz bottom.
Oh - and fitted two servos in the back of the fuz...
Steve.
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My Falcon weighs 8lb 5 oz, no ballast required with the cg at 130mm, just 5mm behind the plan cg.
Steve
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Offering a different view...
My KK Falcon maidened just a year ago, and has had a lot of flying since.
The elevator and rudder servos are in the tail, the battery is at the trailing edge of the wing, and there is no ballast at all. Powered by an OS56 four stroke originally on a 14x4 prop, now on a 15x4 prop, takes off at half throttle, flies around just above idle, and only sees full throttle for the occasional loop or roll. It was modified slightly to allow access to the undercarriage in case of bent legs, but not needed so far. Touch and goes are interesting!
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Stampe, Spitfire, Jungmeistar for me...
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Sounds good for me! Friday is good.
Laser 200 in line twin - retro fit
in IC Engines
Posted
Thanks for all the input - particularly Ron and Jon!
Good advice, I will not attempt anything myself but return the engine to wherever advised when Jon advises me to do it, directly or via Geoff?
Good to know that Jon is, as ever, still helpful and contributing, and that other engine owners particularly Ron are ready to chip in with good advice.
Steve.