[Peter Gordon]

I have 5 zdz engines.

On one of my 80cc singles, the ignition wire that has the normal rc connector (supplies the 4.8 or 6V power to the ignition box) has gone hard. I fear that if I were to flex it, the coating may crack. Anyone ever hear or see this? What is odd is that the wire spent most of it's life withing the airframe of the plane, not near the engine itself - so I can't imagine that heat affected it. Would love to open the box up and solder a new one on, but I'm not sure how to open it up.

Any thoughts?

Peter

[davida]

Hi Peter

I would contact Mike Dooley at RC showcase.

Dave

[Peter Gordon]

Hi Dave,

Yeah - I thought about that. So I made the 8 hour drive to Toledo and talked to him in person. Can you believe that he's never heard or seen this before. His suggestion is to cut the lead off and solder a new one on - but he want's me to send the pigtail down to him to take a look at.

[Vulcan1]

Peter,
I hope he gave you the info for opening the case. The wire should be replaced back to the pc board. I had some test probe wire that I thought would be flexible for the same purpose. Realized after using it for a bit that the flex was gone. I attributed it to a bad batch of wire and now am going to get some 22 guage servo wire. Not enough strands in most of the stuff you normally see.
John

[bigguy]

How about unlocking the wires from the connector and running some heat shrink on each wire up to the box.Shrink the heat shrink then get one piece of tygon or silcone tube and go over both wires together then reinstall the rc connector back on.That should be plenty good.

[Peter Gordon]

I slipped 3 individual pieces of shrink wrap ove my new connector wires, soldered it up new, then an additional one to grab all 3 wires and make it secure. The inside wires were fine, but I'm glad I did the mod because I was flexing the wires to see if I could soften them up, and the plastic coating started to crack.

Like new again. Thanks for the tips.

[Peter Gordon]

Originally Posted by Vulcan1

Peter,
I hope he gave you the info for opening the case. The wire should be replaced back to the pc board. I had some test probe wire that I thought would be flexible for the same purpose. Realized after using it for a bit that the flex was gone. I attributed it to a bad batch of wire and now am going to get some 22 guage servo wire. Not enough strands in most of the stuff you normally see.
John

Opening the case is a breeze. The Falkon sticker keeps the case closed, that's all. I cut the sticker and the case seam, and popped the top and bottom off. Problem is that all the electronics have been "gooped" with some white covering stuff - likely to stop vibration from effecting the capacitors, etc. Can't replace the wires back to the pc board.

Peter

[Randy Brown]

Why didnt he say..send the whole thing in and we take care of it

oh wait..that isnt a DA

Originally Posted by Peter Gordon

Hi Dave,

Yeah - I thought about that. So I made the 8 hour drive to Toledo and talked to him in person. Can you believe that he's never heard or seen this before. His suggestion is to cut the lead off and solder a new one on - but he want's me to send the pigtail down to him to take a look at.

[capital flyer]

did I hear a toilet flush.