Dynabeads

I don't really have any particular problems lately, but I like to tinker.  As it turns out this is one of the great joys of experimental aviation.  This past weekend I installed new HID landing lights in my ductworks leading edge units, put together a wing jack, and loaded up my tubes with an ounce of Dynabeads in each tire.

The Dynabeads are very small ceramic beads that are inserted into your tire or tube and dynamically balance the wheel assembly while it is rotating.  I initially ran into these on a motorcycle forum some time ago and have had it on a fuzzy list to give a try with the airplane.

a two ounce package of dynabeads

It takes some patience and persistence to coerce the beads through the valve but eventually I was able to get an ounce into each tube.

feeding the dynabeads into the tube throughout the valve

they recommend replacing the stems with new ones with filters

Wing stand

I have been looking for a better solution to jacking up the wing for some time and have been using a jack arm arrangement that slips into the axle but it is really a marginal solution; it is a bit pricey, takes way too much effort just to lift a wheel, and is in the way during maintenance.  So, for a while I contemplated ordering a commercial wing stand... while they are pretty nice, they run well north of 200 dollars plus shipping.  Doing a bit searching on VAF there are several scattered examples of an inexpensive solution that I mined for ideas.

Parts that I used:

• From Harbor Freight, a 3 ton super heavy duty long ram hydraulic flat bottom jack for a whopping 40 dollars (I even had a coupon for 10% to level off the tax).
• From Lowe's, a 3/8-16 x 3" carriage bolt, lock nut, a 3-1/2" hose clamp, 1" steel pipe cap, and a single 10' stick of 1/2" emc for about 5 bucks.
• I had a good piece of plywood in the hangar to make a 18"x18" base, and I just used some #10 cs screws that were left over from the build.

Set the jack in the center of the board oriented so that the pump arm is easy to access.  Measure the desired length for the conduit support legs.  Cut them and squeeze the ends in a vice, bend the ends to sit flat.  Drill the base and supports, attach hardware... I used some gorilla tape at the top to cover any rough edges.

Ta Da!

wing jack ready for action 

very easy to lift the gear and nothing is in the way

I made up a receiver to thread into the wing tie-down and capture the jack ram 

this works GREAT

HID lighting retrofit

With the plunging price of HID retrofit systems I researched on VAF and ordered a 55 watt system from DDM Tuning for a whooping 50 dollars plus shipping.  For that price I selected the low profile 'slim' lighter weight ballast 55 watt unit with 5000k H3 bulbs.

It shipped via USPS directly from Shanghai China and included all the pieces and fittings to directly plug into my existing Ductworks lights.  After verifying operation and getting a bit hypnotized from the lights I spent a bit of time deciding on how I would mount everything.

The first light on the left side is a 100 watt halogen.  Take note of the fade in and out for wig wag operation as the light dims and brightens. On the right side the electronic ballast provides complete cut out and on making the operation very strobe like.  The output and visibility from these lights is just amazing!

HID landing light retrofit

Finally removed the panel mounted transponder

After flying for some time with the new remote transponder I finally decided to remove the Garmin GTX 327 panel mounted transponder after coming up with a plan to fabricate a plate from some of the original panel cut outs.  It came out quite nice.  I have had a fuzzy plan to fill the space with a certified GPS unit but given the rising initial cost and the direction the FAA is going with user fees and increased currency requirements I am abandoning the plan in favor of something more modest like a second SL40 radio.

removed panel mounted transponder

removed GTX 327

all back together... looks pretty good!