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I acquired the RC Tech system too late to have the TEP tube mount installed in the fin (the LS-4 was finished at the factory as a demo model), so I had to tackle it myself. Turned out to be easier than I expected as the rudder post has a vertical slot in it, and the rudder is removable. Next challenge was accurately drilling a tight-fitting hole for the mounting tube stub, which I managed to do from the leading edge of the fin.
The mounting tube stub is attached to a soft flexible tubing inside the fin, which in turn connects to the harder tubing that runs forward to the sensor unit. I assembled the flexible tubing to the mounting stub with a touch of flexible CA for safety, then inserted a piece of smaller brass tubing into the flexible stuff. I used that to get the mounting stub into position, and hold it in alignment until the glue set.
I connected the harder tubing to the flex tubing and routed it to the side of the rudder post and attached it with flexible CA. For those spots deep inside the fuselage boom I used strips of Gorilla Tape which I could either reach, or position on the end of a stick.
The next challenge was where to mount the GPS antenna and 'brains' units. I had popped the instrument pilze off the canopy frame to better mount it, and when i saw all the room inside the pilze it was obvious where to put the gear. Plus I need to get the GPS antenna up as high as possible, so why not on top of the instrument panel. Just cut a hole, mount the sensor and done.
Oops, wait, still have to attach an air tube and power, and where can I stick the antenna so it doesn't hit anything, it is straight, and it doesn't have nasty electronics nearby.
It worked out quite well as you can see in the pics. Nice thing is when I remove the canopy I have access to everything, and can easily disconnect if needed.
Will try it out at the Visalia aerotow in two weeks.
Bruce DeVisser
San Jose, CA
The mounting tube stub is attached to a soft flexible tubing inside the fin, which in turn connects to the harder tubing that runs forward to the sensor unit. I assembled the flexible tubing to the mounting stub with a touch of flexible CA for safety, then inserted a piece of smaller brass tubing into the flexible stuff. I used that to get the mounting stub into position, and hold it in alignment until the glue set.
I connected the harder tubing to the flex tubing and routed it to the side of the rudder post and attached it with flexible CA. For those spots deep inside the fuselage boom I used strips of Gorilla Tape which I could either reach, or position on the end of a stick.
The next challenge was where to mount the GPS antenna and 'brains' units. I had popped the instrument pilze off the canopy frame to better mount it, and when i saw all the room inside the pilze it was obvious where to put the gear. Plus I need to get the GPS antenna up as high as possible, so why not on top of the instrument panel. Just cut a hole, mount the sensor and done.
Oops, wait, still have to attach an air tube and power, and where can I stick the antenna so it doesn't hit anything, it is straight, and it doesn't have nasty electronics nearby.
It worked out quite well as you can see in the pics. Nice thing is when I remove the canopy I have access to everything, and can easily disconnect if needed.
Will try it out at the Visalia aerotow in two weeks.
Bruce DeVisser
San Jose, CA
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