Recent Posts

21

Builders logs / Re: Pappy's LEXL Build in Texas

« Last post by Brock on March 10, 2025, 09:34:21 AM »

... 'standard' tool battery...

I'm not sure what you mean by 'tool battery'.  I get visions of the battery in my cordless drill.  I use EarthX batteries in two planes.  They work well but you cannot think of them in terms of the AGM/lead-acid.  My expirence is that they charger (low internal resistence) very fast.  So in both cases I have to charge at idle for a few minutes.  One plane easily charges at a rate of 55amps (on a 60 am alternator) & the max rated charge current on the battery is 60 amps.  While the other, charge rate will easily exceed the capacity of the alternator and burn out the stator (have pics to prove it).  So charge management is in order.  The good thing is that it takes only about 4 minutes to get charged to where the current drops.  This happens to be how long it take my oil to get to operating temp.

I don't know anything about the alternator in the Verners and suspect the .5 VW's use a variety of alternators/generators.  So proceeding carefully until the system is understood is in order.

22

Builders logs / Re: Pappy's LEXL Build in Texas

« Last post by pappyadkins on March 09, 2025, 08:39:19 PM »

Brock, short answer... tried & tested... I would like to do some testing on Lithiums as well... maybe upgrade some day... I think it would be so nice if we could use 'standard' tool battery... just think from a charging standpoint on a crosscountry...

23

Builders logs / Re: Pappy's LEXL Build in Texas

« Last post by Brock on March 09, 2025, 06:07:40 PM »

I see you chose a nice AGM battery.  What factors helped you choose that battery over a LiFePO which is likely 7 lbs less?

24

Builders logs / Re: Pappy's LEXL Build in Texas

« Last post by pappyadkins on March 09, 2025, 04:31:07 PM »

Today's Update: Seat Belt & Battery Charging Port...

25

1/2 vw / Mikuni anti-shake brace

« Last post by Jeff XL79 on March 09, 2025, 01:14:25 PM »

Here is how I'm stabilizing my carbs. 1/8" titanium rod and titanium tabs added to the mikuni float bowl. Upgraded the screws to stainless. I'll also get better bolts on the clamps. The titanium rod is easy to form if you get it red hot. I use a small butane torch. This seems like the lightest solution i could fabricate with the material on hand. I've got a good scrounge pile.

Jeff

26

Builders logs / Re: Pappy's LEXL Build in Texas

« Last post by pappyadkins on March 07, 2025, 06:02:20 AM »

Update: my prop was shipped from Canada Wednesday (basically 1 week lead time) & is in the US (Oregon)... YEAH!!!! Can't wait to get it...

27

1/2 vw / Re: Engine mount doubt

« Last post by Jeff XL79 on March 02, 2025, 01:56:16 PM »

I think this will work.  I'll safety wire it before it's started. 

Thank you all for your input. 

Jeff

28

1/2 vw / Re: Engine mount doubt

« Last post by Dan_ on March 02, 2025, 11:01:12 AM »

I'll defer to the more experienced, but since it's already threaded, it would be hard for me not to want to keep the 3/8 bolt size.

Just get the AN ones with the grip the right length to go through the rubber part and the threads extending far enough for a jamb nut on the back side of the plate...  You can order them with drilled heads and nuts for safety wire.

The jamb nut with built in washer (or separate washer) would spread the force to a larger area of the plate it would seem.

Can't really tell if the bottom bolts go into the car mount stud holes though, but it looks like you could jam a nut on the top bolts.  

While we are killing it over, may as well make sure.

29

1/2 vw / Re: Engine mount doubt

« Last post by Jeff XL79 on March 02, 2025, 06:18:47 AM »

It's mounted on my test stand Dan. 

I'll try to get AN hardware if I can find a bolt configuration with the proper thread and length of thread. The one hitch in the fly ointment is that the rear plate of the engine is threaded 3/8-20. If I can find the right length of AN bolts It might be good to drill out and helicoil the plate. That is, if that's allowed in aircraft standards for hardware. 
This may be a cool engine but I'd really appreciate a simplified 37 with the full case at times. 

Jeff

30

1/2 vw / Re: Engine mount doubt

« Last post by Dan_ on March 02, 2025, 06:07:18 AM »

Grade 8 bolts are hard, and as hardness goes up, so does brittleness. AN bolts aren't hard, and handle vibration much better.

Also, AN bolts have rolled threads instead of cut threads.

The un-threaded/threaded spec can be controlled by bolt length, "grip" and washer stack.

The size/metallury of of the car mounting studs are proven over eons of time.

Lots of overkill on that mount... That "ring" tubing for instance.

If that's a firewall and not a test stand, it may be off one of the wooden airframes.