On Aug 16, 11:10 am, wrote:
On Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:44:06 -0400, "Roger Long"



wrote:

wrote

Ah Roger, you must be one of the younger generation who dosen't
remember "Bendex" starters where rotation of the starter drove a
pinion gear out a spiral shaft to engage the ring gear on the
flywheel.

I sure do. I had just that arrangement on the airplane I took care of and
flew until a couple years ago. Remember, when you fly GA aircraft, you are
trapped in a WWII era technology time warp due to the stifling of innovation
and improvement by FAA paperwork.

I had to go out and lube that Bendix twice a month with silicone spray to be
sure it would disengage because it was right up in front where any rain
drove straight in as the plane flew.

Back in the good old days (automobile days that is) you took a squirt
can of kerosine and squirted the bendix occasionally. Of course, when
one of ours stuck and wouldn't disengaged and started to sound like a
siren we could get out and run....

What is the story on these home built or kit planes? I thought that
they could get, at least little way, away from the FAA.and all of its
guidelines and regulations.

Back when I was in grade school my father belonged to a club that flew
off a grass field. J-3 first and later upgraded to a taylorcraft that
had real adjustable trim tabs. I remember that there were regulations
but I didn't remember all the hoopala that I read about in the flying
magazines today.

Bruce in Bangkok
(brucepaigeATgmailDOTcom)

Thanks folks for all the input and great suggestions!

I have located a 2nd hand original regulator from a gentleman in the
UK (ain't the net grand!??!). I will, more than likely, take both the
alternator and the starting generator out to have them inspected prior
to installing the new regulator. I truly think that after 35 years,
the regulator had just had enough and it was time to pass on to
greener pastures, but I know not to trust that theory entirely...this
is a boat after all!!! grin

It also looks like I have a few days of pencil and notebook ahead of
me tracing the lines back to create a more "up-to-date" schematic that
even I can understand and see if I can figure out how all this wiring
was done. Eventually I will seek out a re-power, but finances are not
going to allow for that (at least for a few years), so if I can patch
her up enough to get a few more seasons out of her, I will be happy.

Chris