Control cable material
 

I am wondering what are some choices for control cable material that is non-metallic? I have a BUSA Fokker DVII and am having terrible glitch issues rendering the plane un-flyable. I used .018" steel cable for my elevater and rudder controls but am thinking about replacing that with Spiderwire spectra line. I have some that is #30 test but maybe I should go heavier. One thing I know about spiderwire is it does not stretch. This is a good thing as going back and re-tensioning cables is a drag. Any thoughts would be apreciated.

RE: Control cable material
 

I have used spider wire on 60 size planes. it does stretch some but the big problem with it is that it will abrade if it rubs. I would use two strands per run for backup. You might try running your antenna out a diffrent direction and make sure the cables dont rub on each other. I have had one plane that I had to change the flying wires to spider wire because of the same thing, but today I flew my pattern plane with rudder pull/pull with steel cable; same type of recievers, ppm, so I dont know. My SE5a has steel flying wires has a pcm reciever and I have never tryed it with a ppm so I dont know on it.

Tom

RE: Control cable material
 

Your Local Hobby Shop should carry Pull-Pull cable made from Kevlar (an Aramid Fiber) that is non-conductive, and is available in different sizes. I have used it in 1/3rd scale aerobatic models with no measurable stretch when installed. Good luck, and you can send me a PM for the manufacturer of the product. I would post it now, but I would need to look at the packaging to be able to tell you who packaged it.

Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1

RE: Control cable material
 

Hi VG
If you do not want to buy all the parts again for a pull/pull system you can get Kevlar Thread from a company called McMaster Carr www.mcmaster.com. In the find box type in Kevlar thread and it will come up. McMaster will have the parts in stock and ship that day if before 5:00PM the parts will come next day.

Mark P



Thread

Nylon Thread— This multifilament thread is bonded with a nylon resin and lubricated to improve workability. Meets Fed. Spec. VT-295. Maximum temperature is not rated. Color is white.
Polyester Thread— Bonded for added strength. Meets Fed. Spec. VT-285. Maximum temperature is not rated. Color is white.

Kevlar Thread— Has a breaking strength five times greater than steel wire. It also has excellent heat and flame resistance. Meets MIL-T-87128. Maximum temperature is 400° F. Color is yellow.

PTFE-Coated Fiberglass Thread— Has excellent chemical, ultraviolet, heat, and flame resistance. Thread has a maximum temperature of 1000° F; coating has a maximum temperature of 500° F. Color is tan.
PTFE-Coated Quartz Thread— Made of very fine continuous filaments, this thread will not burn. It resists acids, alkalis, and the buildup of contaminants. Thread has a maximum temperature of 2000° F; coating has a maximum temperature of 500° F. Color is tan.

Trade - Thread - Tensile - yds./
Size - Diameter - Strength, lbs. - Spool - p/n - Each

Kevlar Thread
69 - 0.014" - 28 - 300 - 8800K41 - 15.87

207 - 0.025" - 90 - 100 - 8800K42 - 14.66

346 - 0.038" - 130 - 66 - 8800K43 - 15.54

PTFE-Coated Fiberglass Thread
___ 0.014" 12 100 8839K21 11.70

___ 0.017" 16 100 8839K22 12.75

___ 0.021" 20 100 8839K23 14.13

PTFE-Coated Quartz Thread
___ 0.014" 12 100 6373K88 23.30

___ 0.017" 20 100 6373K89 30.32

Nylon Thread
69 0.016" 10.5 360 87695K31 $3.56

207 0.025" 31.5 138 87695K32 4.64

346 0.032" 53 82 87695K33 4.82