shock cord/retaining cable data

[fearofpavement]

I am putting new bungees on a 1946 Taylorcraft BC-12D during the annual. It had really thick ones on it (1110's?) but we are going back with a pair of the 9010HD's. Anyway, stretching the cords and installing them is very easy with the tool from drude but I am a little unclear as to the proper orientation of the safety cable. I have two '46 T-crafts apart and this has actually raised questions instead of answering them. So here they are:

In the T-craft manual it says to put the cable between the two bungees. There is such limited space on the mounting area that essentially the cable will be under the bungees. Is this ok? Is that just for the top or for the bottom of the cable as well?

Is there a correct length for the safety cables? the two aircraft have two different lengths, the plane with the longer cables has them installed in a figure eight. Is this proper? preferred?

Is there a correct diameter for the cable? One cable is what appears to be 3/16" and the other is 1/8" (on the same plane). The other aircraft appears to have 3/16" cables.

Is there a correct size for the eye on the ends of the cable? One plane you have to work to get the cable off and the other has larger loops that slip on and off readily. (perhaps too easy)

I searched the forums and couldn't come up with this data.

Thanks.

[astjp2]

Re: shock cord/retaining cable data

I made mine from 1/4" galv cable and I put mine inside my bungies, I had them chaffing on the bungies when they were inbetween them, I made mine so the prop/wing would not hit the ground if one side broke. Good luck Tim

[Guest]

Re: shock cord/retaining cable data

Hi Herman,

I recall they are 3/16" I would not re-use the 1/8".

The loops for the top ears where installable (is that a word) with out much effort but did not flop of off.

The loops on mine are on the inside of the two cords, ie. from the inside out it goes like this on the bungee shaft, cable-cord-cord-retaining disk (I call that the ear). Where I define inside as closest to the seat support tube.

The nicopress sleeves and cable stub through it are heavily taped with friction tape to make it smooth so it doesn't damage the cord.

I think that between the cords means on the landing gear portion and means it lies against the gear and between the cords.

I have never been able to do that well so I safety wire mine into position below (closer to the ground) the cords by attaching the safety wire to the streamline cabane strut end on outside of the bungee area and to the fairing tab on the inside of the bungee area.

My guess is that the 3/16" cords that are hard to install are more likley to be original so their length may be correct or nearly so. Parts catalog does not indicate the length. Maybe Forrest has a drawing?

[Forrest Barber]

Re: shock cord/retaining cable data

Forrest has pictures, stills and a movie.

[perryv1]

Re: shock cord/retaining cable data

Somtimes just using common sense is better than trying to find a spec for somthing like this
PV

[stormman]

Re: shock cord/retaining cable data

Forrest.
Don't you have them 4 sail ?

[N95334]

Re: shock cord/retaining cable data

FYI Bobdog aka Bob Morton has a great photo of the bungees and how he looped them around the gear to keep them from missing that all important catch when the bungees break. When I was changing mine thank goodness I had extra ropes on the engine mount because we I cut them the cable missed.

[Guest]

Re: shock cord/retaining cable data

FYI Bobdog aka Bob Morton has a great photo of the bungees and how he looped them around the gear to keep them from missing that all important catch when the bungees break. When I was changing mine thank goodness I had extra ropes on the engine mount because we I cut them the cable missed.

Suggestion - Only remove one at a time and that will make it more nearly safe, also tie a loop of rope around the landing gear and the truss under the seat to hold the gear in place.

I suggest that one never cut both cords and never depend on the snare cable while changing bungees.

Dave

[Forrest Barber]

Re: shock cord/retaining cable data

I can sell the cables, I have the pictures, this is a subject of my next newsletter. I will post right after Sun-n_fun....

[mhorowit]

Re: shock cord/retaining cable data

FYI Bobdog aka Bob Morton has a great photo of the bungees and how he looped them around the gear to keep them from missing that all important catch when the bungees break. When I was changing mine thank goodness I had extra ropes on the engine mount because we I cut them the cable missed.

Where are his pics located? - MikeH

[Bobdog]

Re: shock cord/retaining cable data

The picture is in "metal stringers" thread by LAZ. my post with the picture is on the first page. I don't know if I installed the bungies and cable correctly, but they look nice.