frothingslosh

My Feedback: (6)

Hi Guys -

I accidentally came up with an idea that is so simple that I can't imagine why I didn't think of it a long time ago. Thought I would share it here in case might wish to take advantage of it.

I've been in a quandry forever about a simple way to keep servo extension leads from becoming accidentally unplugged. CA'ing them is permanent, and not recommended; taping is not very dependable, tying with string is difficult (for me at least), and those manufactured keepers are expensive, bulky, and don't always work as they should. Consequently, I've depended mostly on friction to keep my leads from coming apart. Last week that cost me a dsy's flying when I lost an ail. lead deep in the wing of my Boomerang.

While brainstorming how to keep it from ever happening again, I came up with the following fix that I believe is foolproof and has a number of advantages:

Absolutely Will NOT Come Unplugged

Compact & Neat - Can be threaded easily thru wing or fuselage

Takes Stress Off Wires At Plugs

Quick and Easy to DO or UNDO . . . should be great for ailerons

Works with any type (flat or twisted), and any size (micro, std., hvy. duty) leads

It's nothing more than a simple overhand knot . . . the important thing is to be sure the wires lay parallel to one another, and flat against the plug as in picture #3 below. Grab a couple of spare extensions and give it a try as per the pictures.

I would appreciate your comments, positive or negative.

rcguy!

My Feedback: (69)

I don't like the bend in the wire as they exit the plug. Creative for sure. I'll "stick" with tape. Hasn't let me "down" in over 30 years. For repeated connect/disconnect type plugs I use a commercial lock. Sorta like a "connector coffin".

Dave

smokin-gun

My Feedback: (18)

heat shrink is the best way for those leads that aren't unplugged all the time!

j.duncker

My Feedback: (2)

I use a needle and thread to tie them together. The needle allows you to pull the thread throught the wire where it splits into three at the plug.

Cheap too [ I am Scottish ]

seanreit

My Feedback: (60)

I've always liked this solution myself, been doing it for about 4 years now, never an issue, not even one time.

seanreit

My Feedback: (60)

more

Ehab

My Feedback: (44)

I have used the same tie it up method for a long time, especially on prop planes with a one peice wing and one aileron hook up. It works very well indeed. I also have added a small tie wrap around the wires/connectors to make it more secure.

GrayUK

I use the same idea, works every time, i use fishing line

seanreit

My Feedback: (60)

And I thought my idea was original [X(]

Fishing line really does work best. Easily removable and easily installed, works perfect every time. Plus you're using the fishing line anyway feeding wires all through the airplane, at least I am.

Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

I use Dental Floss and go around twice diagonally from corner to corner. Very strong, Easy to work with, and weighs nothing.

Bob

seanreit

My Feedback: (60)

Floss is probably an even better solution than the fishing line cause the knot will get closer to the connector than fishing line will. It's about 100 times as expensive though. I'm wasteful and would probably go through 10 floss containers per airplane!!

Does using it remind you to floss??

Wayne22

My Feedback: (2)

frothingslosh, your idea has some merit.....I agree with your assesment of the current alternatives (It would take me a day to thread and tie one connector!!). I've melted servo connections trying the heat shrink idea.....

The sharp bend at the connector might be a concern in time, but I'm sure your idea could be developed a little further to over come that.......

RAMFlyer

My Feedback: (65)

Being a dentist, I say FLOSS'EM if you got'em. If you don't got'em, I can fix that... Been using floss for years to keep the connectors connected. But then, I get free samples!!!

B58

My Feedback: (43)

My fingers don't work as well as they used to. tried the dental floss, and finally decided to stay with heat shrink on the ones I don't unhook, and the plastic keepers on the others. You guys are a bit younger, and your fingers probably do many things better than mine. Bob

J. Campbell

My Feedback: (31)

Yep, black heatshrink, Dubro is best as it shrinks tighter. Russ

flyexperimental

I like the heat shrink method myself,but I do use your method of tying together extention chords to buffers so they don't come unpluged while I buff.

MaJ. Woody

My Feedback: (28)

Heat Shrink Tubing!!!
Dom

InboundLZ

My Feedback: (10)

Bees wax cord ala full scale for me. I tie all my extensions with it. Works perfect. Also, I NEVER use zip ties on any of my wires, always tie my wire looms with bees wax cord, zip ties WILL cut your wires sooner or later....

quist

My Feedback: (198)

Most Hangar 9 kits have you tie the knot and Zip tie it together.

waxed Dental floss works well.

I have been using 3/8" shrink tubing with very good results. Very clean look.

ken graham

My Feedback: (10)

i use the one and only DUCT TAPE.. plug the connections together and than wrap it all the way around. it stays in place even in temps from flying with ski's or in the middle of summer.

S HARRIS

My Feedback: (6)

Even simpler method is a zip tie, no mess just snip if you need to disconnect.Harbour Freight has them really cheap.

frothingslosh

My Feedback: (6)

For what it's worth, I've done a few tests with HD leads and my method yields more strength than tying the plugs together. It appears that the weakest point is where the wires are connected to the pins. My method seems to gain some additional strength from the insulation where it makes the turn at the end of the plugs.

Probably a mute point though, since it's highly unlikely an extension lead would ever receive that kind of stress under normal use. But you gotta admit, my idea is quick & easy to connect or disconnect, won't come apart, and doesn't COST anything.

Hold my beer Bubba, there's sumthin' else I wanna try . . .