skippydiesel

"That DeSoto reference would be in relation to a colour code" Wrong! Its a two pack, very thin primer - dull olive green. Consider asking a question, rather than making a incorrect statement.😈

Great to see my old Zephyr back in the air 😊

Seems to me that outback (low rainfall areas) strips are not usually made to accommodate significant rainfall. I think is this probably a reasonable strategy, as to make them all-weather would be a major cost that cannot be justified for an infrequently used asset. Where there is a contact name/phone number, it is the pilot's responsibility to phone ahead for a strip condition report. Philster - I would like to hear a lot more about your trip across Australia (it's on my bucket list). What was your rout & why? Where did you land? Fuel? Bed? Food? etc

My Sonex Legacy has been undercoated/treated, during the fabrication/pre assembly stage, using the following spayed on products: External: DeSoto 51X349 Internal: Alodined,/ BMS10-11 (I was not involved in the above stage/process) Once completed, the airframe was painted with a high pigment automotive/industrial paint. High pigment so that complete coverage could be archived with a single coating.

https://www.silent-hektik.de/UL_R_912.htm

Damien - There is a huge range of voltage regulator and opinions on what is best/most cost effective. Do a google search - Everything from ride on mower & motorcycle units, to Rotax OM (the most costly by far). Everyone swears by their particular choice, so very hard to get an unbiased recommendation. Much will depend on your budget and willingness to try something other than OM. The following, non Rotax, alternatives have some enthusiastic users and detractors: Silent Hektik Ducati John Deere AVC1 Carr 5115 Advanced Power Whatever you get, make sure it is mounted in a well vented area - VR's have cooling fins to dissipate heat, so need some airflow for long service life. RFGuy or one of the other electronics experts, on this Forum, are possibly your best bet for advice.

Now that I have my Sonex teething problems sorted (at least for the time being) I am keen to do a series of day flights exploring NSW (could be persuaded to get into Qld/Vic, passport will need updating). My departure point is The Oaks, NSW Suggestions welcome.

Not going to happen - Rotax Maintenance Manuals are THE WORD and THE WORD IS GOOD thus saith a Rotax owner, who doesn't want to risk damage to his 912ULS, by experimenting on leaving off a few cents worth of conductive paste. In the unlikly event, that you are correct and there is no benefit, neither can there be any harm, in applying the past as specified.😈

Keep us posted on your plans, dates, etc

If you purchase your Rotax plugs B from Floods, you have the option, for a small fee, to have the threads "treated" with the appropriate paste - I have never asked what brand but assume they would use Wacker P 12. This does not mean that all patrons of B Flood, go to the added small expense, however my money is that most will and those that don't will apply their own.

Hi IBob, Speculation: Would not a made to measure rectangular steel plate, say 4-5 mm thick, spread the load better than a stack of washers?? You could also consider hard rubber (or metal) spacer, back bolt shaft, between fuselage & retaining plate, to limit the pivoting action.

Nev: Your "facts" may sometimes be correct but all to often, not relevant to the matter under discussion. The statement above is a prime example What has the above statement, got to do with my sale of Hengst fuel filters????

Fuel injection is a whole other ball game - check out the expensive, large, metal cased, fuel filters specified for Rotax iS engines. Your logic "Less filter area means it will block quicker" is only so good as the projected level of fuel contamination. High contamination (poor quality/refueling practise) the filter with less area will block quicker, no argument. If this is your concern, get a bigger filter. If on the other hand, take care with what you put in your fuel tank, these filters are more than up to the job. In the 10 + or so years I used these Hengst filters, on my first Rotax 912ULS & since in serval ground based machines, never came close to a blockage, ergo filter catchment surface area more than adequate for the job & my refueling technique. Hengst H 102 WK & H 103 WK filters are used by several European light aircraft makers - ergo the factory find performance to be adequate for job. These filters are also used, as a prefilter, in a number of fuel injected European vehicles eg Mercedes cars/light commercials "Ridicule me ..........." Exaspiraton is not ridicule, its a level of annoyance. ".....and preserve your FACT FREE zone." On what basis do you feel it's appropriate to attack my integrity?? Make amends - purchase a few filters😈

Probably a great deal larger than the RAA level aircraft it looks like.😈

Without prejudice, I put forward this regulator that also has a good reputation: https://www.silent-hektik.de/UL_R_912.htm

Hi BurnieM, I refer you to Rotax 912 Line Maintenance as earlier stated Rotax, MAINTENANCE MANUAL LINE, Chapter 12-20-00, Page 57 "...................... Apply heat conduction compound sparingly and do not apply to the first three threads. Apply small amount of heat conduction compound to spark plug thread and tighten spark plug to 16 Nm (142 in. lb) on the cold engine

Googled price again - My thanks to Blue PRICE REDUCED TO $8/filter

Predictable as ever Nev To the best of my knowledge concertina/wavy paper filter media fuel filters are advised against by most, if not all small aircraft makers. Reasons: There is always the potential for the media to break down It's not easy for the pilot to assess the degree of contamination. Gauze filters are recomend. The selection of in line gauze filters with transparent casing is not great. There are other makers, Baldwin probably has the best selection - same sort of design as the Hengst, however they supply both longer & larger diameter variants (greater filter area) however space may become an issue for some instalatons. I have used these Hengst filters for about 15 years and found them to be excellent. Always carried a spare but never used it.

Thanks - interesting - I Googled them for supply in Au and came up with a price in the mid $20's - will investigate and adjust if needed.

"You might get away with doing none of it. but why not apply best practice? Prevention is better than cure. Nev." I can not imagine that there would not be a dissenting word again this sentiment Nev. Does this mean that you now support my position, on following Rotax service instructions, for the installation of spark plugs, in their 9 series engines? In case the above sentiment is not a change of heart by you: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotax_912: Rotax 9's have been in production since 1989 (Certified production commenced in 1995). 50,000 units had been produced by 2014. Total flight hours is in excess of 45 million. Whatever service techniques you may legitimately use on other aircraft and ground based engines, it seems to me that the above achievements, by Rotax, strongly suggest following their (not your) service directions ie "apply best practice"😈

I suggest you go back at least a page, possibly two - this is not about a specific product or its cost (I have suggested an alternative, lower cost, more readily available (in AU) product, that still meets/exceeds Rotax specification). It seems to have descended into a debate about the merits of the manufacturer (Rotax), recommended service/maintenance procedure, with regard to using a type of conductive (heat sink) paste on the threads of the plug. There are those who advocate anti-seize, oil and no conductive past at all in this procedure - all at variance to Rotax recommendation.

The master of the out of context comment and the non sequential tangent - in your words "get real"

Nev; What problem?? When you have your own Rotax 9 you may do as you wish with it. I choose to follow Rotax instructions, for the maintenance of their engines. " Bits of silicone block small oilways too. I stopped using it as a sealant years ago. I stopped using it as a sealant years ago". What on earth has silicon sealant got to do with the use of thermal/conductive paste on spark plug thread ????

I understand that you might think this, however my search for alternative service items is ALWAYS with the proviso that they meet/exceed Rotax specifications. When it comes to matters of maintenance technique & specification - I follow the book. I agree. I think it likly that the heatsink paste, selected by Rotax, has a high zinc (metal) content, presumably to counter the insulating properties of the silicon. Further speculation, the combination of zinc & silicon is likly to have much to do with raising the melting point of the paste, so that it persists/remains in position doing its job. I note that pastes of this nature are prevalent in the electronic world for use with heat sink systems. I presume that the specification that product Rotax has selected has an appropriate mix/ratio of insulating silicon: zinc for the purpose intended. "Properties Specific features • Thermally conductive Technical data General Characteristics Property Condition Value Method Appearance - white - Bleeding (at 200°C/30h) - max. 0.4 % FED-STD 791 M 321 Density 23 °C 2.1 g/cm³ DIN EN ISO 1183-1 A Dielectric strength - 10 kV/mm IEC 60243-1 Dissipation factor 50 Hz 9 x 10⁻³ IEC 62631-2-1 Loss of weight⁽¹⁾ - max. 1.2 % FED-STD 791 M 321 Operating temperature range - -40 - 200 °C - Penetration (unworked)⁽²⁾ - 194 - 238 1/10mm DIN ISO 2137 Permittivity 50 Hz 3.5 IEC 62631-2-1 Solidifying point - approx. -45 °C - Thermal conductivity - 0.6 - 0.8 W/m.K ASTM D 5470-12"