rogerflies

My Feedback: (3)

With the one-way brake on an F3B winch to prevent the line from coming off the reel, how do you go about getting the line to come off the plane at the end of a launch without using a releasable tow hook or a zoom launch? Can you use the winch to (safely) launch a plane that doesn't have a releasable tow hook or won't stand a zoom?

Here are some photos of my just-finished Clutch Winch. The starter motor is for a big-block Chevy V8, and the clutch is from an auto AC compressor. Haven't had a chance to put the line on it and try it out yet.

The block box on the front of the winch has the relay and timer circuitry for controlling the clutch and brake. The brake stays on for several seconds after the launch is complete, then releases so the line can be retrieved with minimal effort. The motor armature doesn't turn when the line is being retrieved.

A solenoid-operated one-way brake with a timer circuit might be useful for an F3B winch, so you didn't have to manually release it to retrieve the line.

I'm not sure what you're paying for the one-way brake, but you could make one out of a starter Bendix, which cost very little.

Roger

rogerflies

My Feedback: (3)

I took the winch out this afternoon and made about a dozen launches. It works just like it's supposed to. At the end of the launch, the clutch releases, the drum spins up quickly to let out the line, and the plane comes off with little loss of speed and altitude. When the line goes slack, the clutch and brake engage to stop the drum. (The brake strap works on the clutch rotor to keep the drum as light as possible.) The brake and clutch release after several seconds so the line can be retrieved.

This Clutch Winch is quieter and smoother than the first one I built, which used a Ford motor. Looks better, too.

Roger