Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

While building an Ultra Stick .60 if you install the servo's according to the book, you get wire keeper clips to attach the pushrods to the sorvo's with. I had never used them before and they seemed a little scary to use but I gave them a chance because the hobby store was closed and I wanted to fly. Since then I've noticed on one occasion that one unsnapped easily and fell off just transporting the aircraft to the field and on another occasion I noticed my aircraft would try to roll if I put the flaps down. You guessed it, I had one pushrod dangling from a flap where the clevis had fallen off in flight. I'll never use them again and personally I think they're dangerous and should never be used. Do they have a place or should they never ever be used?

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

What is a "wire keeper clip"? Photo?

Jim

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

It's a nylon part that fits on an L-bend in the wire to your pushrod. Put the L into your control horn and put one of the clips on and it's supposed to keep the pushrod in place.

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

These work well, BUT they can go on two ways - with the end of the pushrod facing up or down. One way will result in the servo arm holding the keeper in place while the other way will result in the servo arm popping it off.

Which way is which depends on which side of the servo you are connected to.

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

If the surface or the servo moves enough that the clip contacts the servo horn, the clip will come loose. (as you have experienced) ONLY use these clips in situations that don't require large servo or surface movement. Please change to better connectors.

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

Those are the first things to hit the trash bin when i start a build
i noticed a flyer at my field using those & i told him that he should go with a more robust set up.
he lost his plane on maiden to one of those clips breaking on the elevator

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

I use them. Minn and Cobra gave good info. Make sure the wire is routed where it's difficult to just "fall out" and verify the keeper does not hit the servo arm at maximum travel.

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

Well, it's looking like it's about even on the likes and dislikes. I just wanted to see if those of you who have experience in building and flying ever use these. I had never used them and only did because they came with the ARF. At a minumum I'll use metal kwik links. Preferably I like to use the ball links. Thanks to all for the input.

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

remember to slide a piece of fuel tubing over them, locking them.

Never had any problems...

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

:)

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

Great for smaller aircraft (60 size and below). Anything larger and you need aircraft hardware.

Yak

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

I have been using them for years on my 60 and smaller size planes and never had a problem... I make sure I have a 90 degree bend in the wire and slip a piece of fuel tubing over it to make sure it stays put.... As above make sure the servo arm is centered when setting up so the connector does not hit the servo case...
Great Planes (Tower) calls them "Faslinks"///

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

I've never had a problem with them as long as you set them up correctly. As Minn Flyer and Iron Cross have stated in one position they'll hit the servo case. I think they provide a good link with less typical slop than a "Z" bend and properly positioned they won't break like the pin sometimes does in a clevis.
John

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

I have used them on some 40 sized trainers but, anymore I discard them und use Z Bends. Never had a Z Bend come off.

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

I used to use Z bends on smaller stuff but found they "reamed" out the hole in the servo arm over a period of time and became quite sloppy... Didn't like that at all :D

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

Trash em & use Dubro's EZ connectors or the GP swivel ball connectors.

RE: Would you use wire keeper clips?
 

I have 2 of those on my cessna 180 alerons. They seem to work great, and no way can they come undone. Maybe something was pushing on it, the one's I have are hard to unclip.