All other anti-seize I have used are thick. How can this work when it is so thin?
The D A M high temperature anti-seize formula is based on inert high temperature dry lubricants suspended in a naptha carrier with a few other low viscosity additives. The thick grease base in other anti-seize products on the market burn and char at exhaust temperatures leaving sticky hard deposits that actually contribute to the lock-up of exhaust joints. The D A M product carrier evaporates leaving only a film of dry lubricants in the joints that penetrates the pores of the stainless steel.
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Are lithium batteries safe?
Since inception in 2009, EarthX has designed their lithium batteries with a micro-processor-controlled battery management system (BMS) to provide safety and performance features for your battery. EarthX is not new to providing lithium iron phosphate batteries. Over the past 13 years, has become the most trusted and used lithium battery in the experimental aircraft market and by working closely with OEM’s and engine manufacturers a like, this BMS has been developed to be one of the most reliable in the industry. EarthX is not only the exclusive provider for the Indy Race Cars, but EarthX is also the first company in the world and in history to have an FAA TSO certified aircraft battery as a testament to the safety and quality of the batteries.
Features of the BMS protection:
- Cell balancing
- Low voltage protection
- High voltage protection
- Excessive Cranking Protection (Heat)
- Short circuit protection
- In the Hundred series, an alert LED fault light to communicate an issue on battery itself or can be remotely monitored with a 12V LED
- In the Hundred series, the BMS board is redundant so there is no single point failure
Battery design safety features:
- Proprietary battery case design with recessed terminals to protect from short circuiting
- Clam shell design with terminals down the center so polarity (installation) is never an issue
- Flame retardant plastic housing
- The state of the art ceramic cell separators to reduce the risk of thermal runaway by 400% over standard lithium cell separators.
Performance design features:
- The widest operating temperature range available
- A rated cells that must meet stringent testing requirements
- True industry standards testing specifications
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Can I switch from a straight AeroShell mineral oil to a single grade ashless dispersant oil?
All AeroShell oils are compatible and can be mixed with each other. Many single grade customers try AeroShell Oil W 15W-50 during the colder part of the year, then convert to using it year round. Others, however, choose to alternate between single grade and multigrade depending on the time of year. Either system works well because AeroShell oils are entirely compatible and can be interchanged as desired.
In addition, if you need to replace a cylinder on a mid-time engine, you can switch from AeroShell Oil W single grade or AeroShell Oil W 15W-50 to a straight AeroShell mineral oil for one or two changes to break in the new cylinder. Then you can switch back to the ashless dispersant oil after the rings are properly seated.
If you have a mid-time engine that has been run exclusively on a straight mineral oil and wish to try an ashless dispersant oil, use caution. The introduction of an ashless dispersant oil into your engine could loosen up some of the carbon deposits. So check your oil screens and filters often to ensure against oil starvation and/or oil screen collapse.
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Can I use a McFarlane transmitter on a Cessna 152 aircraft?
No, the fuel indicating system on a Cessna 152 is unique and McFarlane has not designed a transmitter for them yet.
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Can I use temperature controller P/N 707 with a 220 Volt system?
No, you will need to use a converter that can supply 3 amps at 120 volts to operate both a SAFE-HEET and 707.
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Can PowerUp aftermarket parts be mixed with Champion Slick parts?
Yes! All of the PowerUp Slick Aftermarket parts have been FAA-approved to be equivalent to or improved than Champion Slick parts. PowerUp’s Aftermarket Slick parts have been in production for 30 years and tens of thousands of our parts have been put into service.
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Can Premier parts be painted?
Yes, Premier parts can be painted. They recommend using SEM Color Coat Aerosol Products.
However, any paint that is specifically designed for plastic should work on Premier parts, which are manufactured with a PVC-Acrylic material commonly referred to as KYDEX. Retail stores that sell automotive paint can be helpful with paint choices as most of automobile interiors are made from KYDEX also.
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Can this product be used on the underside and the wheel wells of an automobile?
Yes, this is an anti-corrosion material that can be used on aviation as well as automotive applications.
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Do I have to fill out a form 337?
No, PROP GUARD is an FAA-PMA/STC product, but the STC specifically states that a form 337 is not required. It does require an A&P mechanic endorsement for return to service.
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Do Tempest oil filters use a magnet?
Yes, all Tempest aviation oil filters use a magnet. This give us an extra layer of defense to help filter out smaller micron particles that may get past the filtration media.
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Help me use your eligibility search feature.
Here are some eligibility search tips:
- If you do not know your serial number, you can just select your aircraft make and model.
- The model you select must be specific: a 172 is not the same as a 172B.
- Serial numbers must be complete: for example, 15073660 cannot be entered as 73660.
- Hyphens in serial numbers are optional: for example, 28-7325001 and 287325001 are considered equivalent.
- For web browsers with JavaScript enabled, you do not need to click the Submit button when you select a make or model. After typing a serial number, you do need to click the submit button.
- Due to the limitations of our product database, some parts that are eligible for your aircraft may not appear on the returned list of products when your aircraft make, model, or serial number is selected. If you can't find what your looking for, please call or email us.
- Due to the possibility of error in eligibility data and the possibility of non-standard aircraft configurations, McFarlane Aviation, Inc. cannot be responsible for application of our products. The user of the products must verify correct eligibility and function of our products.
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How can I determine which oil is qualified for my aircraft engine?
Both Lycoming and Continental recommend oils qualified under the following specifications for use in their engines:
- SAE J-1899 former MIL-L-22851 (for ashless dispersant oils)
- SAE J-1966 former MIL-L-6082 (for straight mineral oils, intended primarily for break-in)
Military and SAE specifications are the same except for some additional packaging requirements for the military. In the future, the military specification may be dropped, although oil containers will still probably refer to the former military specification.
AeroShell® straight mineral oils, AeroShell Oil W single grades and AeroShell Oil W multigrade oils all qualify under their respective specifications. The oil requirements for other aircraft engines such as Pratt & Whitney are less defined. All AeroShell and AeroShell Oil W oils are qualified for use in P&W radial piston engines. The oils for engines no longer in production may be listed by military specification or by product name.
For more information, talk to an overhaul or repair shop that specializes in a particular engine, or call the Shell Technical Information Center at 1-800-231-6950.
The selection of a proper grease is clearly defined. For each grease point on a certified aircraft, the military specification or the qualified product is listed. AeroShell® greases are qualified under the following specifications:
- AeroShell GREASE 5 former MIL-G-3545-C
- AeroShell GREASE 6 MIL-G-24139A, former MIL-G-7711A AeroShell GREASE 7 MIL-PRF-23827C, TYPE II
- AeroShell GREASE 14 MIL-G-25537C
- AeroShell GREASE 16 former MIL-G-25760A, BMS-3-24A AeroShell GREASE 17 MIL-G-21164D
- AeroShell GREASE 22 MIL-PRF-81322F, Grade 2 DOD-G-24508A AeroShell GREASE 33 MIL-PRF-23827, TYPE I BMS-3-33A
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How can I make sure my oil temperature is accurate and identify the correct oil temperature range?
Placing a permanent reference mark at 180°F on the green band of your oil gauge is a good way to get accurate readings. To do this, simply place your sending unit and an accurate, referenced thermometer in a steel container filled with oil, and slowly heat it to 180°F with a hot plate. You may not be able to hold 180°F constant, so first mark your gauge with a pencil as the oil temperature passes 180°F. Then let the oil cool back to 180°F. Repeat the process to ensure accuracy.
And be extra careful with the hot oil. In a naturally aspirated aircraft engine, a cruise oil temperature significantly below 170°-180°F will not ensure that the moisture in the oil is boiled off, especially during short flights. As oil goes through the engine, the highest instantaneous temperature will be about 50°F higher than the oil sump temperature.
So, if you have an oil temperature of only 150°-160°F, the oil will not get above the 212°F necessary to boil off the water that can accumulate from condensation. The result is increased moisture and acid buildup in the crankcase, which will probably lead to rust and corrosion.
Knowing this is especially critical if your aircraft is not flown regularly and sits in a humid climate for weeks at a time. If your oil runs well below the 180°F mark, have your mechanic check your oil cooler system and vernatherm. Also, ask about a winterization kit.
Conversely, the concern with the typical turbocharged piston engine is excessive heat. In many of these engines, instantaneous oil temperature can increase 70°F or more at its hottest point versus sump temperature. These high temperatures can cause deposit buildup and increased wear due to improperly cooled components or low oil viscosity. (All oils, especially single grade oils, thin out as the temperature
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How do I determine my sales tax exemption status?
State regulations require sales tax to be collected unless certain exemption forms or information is received. Sales tax is calculated based on the state and jurisdiction shipped to. Some states have specific general aviation tax exemptions and require shipping charges to be included in sales tax calculation. Sales Tax Exemption Wizard
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How do I keep contaminants out of my fuel system?
The fuel selector valve works in unscreened fuel. Contaminated fuel can cause selector valve seal damage. When fueling from possibly contaminated fuel sources McFarlane recommends the use of a fuel filter, such as Mr. Funnel or another filtering device, to reduce trash in the fuel system.
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How do I know if my steering rods are working properly?
The Cessna steering system is an engineering masterpiece that is simple in function while allowing good directional control throughout the transition from flight to ground or ground to flight, even in crosswind conditions. A key part of this system is the steering rods. The steering rods are a spring loaded device that applies spring pressure to pull on one side of the nose gear when it is activated and yet have a specified amount of free play in the opposite direction until a solid push is required for positive steering.
The following are some common symptoms of worn out or failed steering rods:
- Weak steering (You can push on the rudder but not much happens and you have to use a lot of brake to steer. Often the weakness is one direction only.) The early Cessna steering rod springs were designed such that if the rudder pedal was pushed hard in one direction while the nose gear was pointed all the way the other direction and had some resistance to moving such as soft ground or snow, the spring could be compressed to an extent that it would be permanently shortened leaving it weak. McFarlane has redesigned the spring so this cannot happen.
- More or less than 1.2 inches of free play movement or inconsistent free play of the steering rod shaft is present. The spring is retained by a washer that was stop swaged into the steering rod housing. During an overload, such as extra hard pedal force applied with the nose wheel pointed all the way in the opposite direction and restricted or undetected damage from a previous hard landing, the spring retaining washer can be deformed and forced past the swaged stop. This will result in inconsistent free play and erratic function of the steering rod shaft as the washer passes past its designed swaged stop in both directions. The rudder rigging in flight might also be inconsistent. This is a dangerous situation that results in inconsistent steering and the steering rod must be replaced. McFarlane has redesigned the washer and shaft machining to prevent the washer stop failure.
- Rust and corrosion can make the steering rods unreliable. The steering rods get water and contaminates from the runway that the nose tire throws at them. The fit of the shaft into the bushing that is swaged into the housing is not a precision fit. This can allow internal contamination, moisture, and salt that will rust the springs and steel housing interior, leaving the components weak and subject to failure. Red rust streaking on the shaft exit area or bubbling of the exterior paint indicate corrosion failure. The McFarlane steering rods are made from 304 stainless steel and have a special corrosion preventative and lubricating coating on the springs to fight against corrosion and wear.
- Wear of the shaft and bushing is caused by steering movement and aerodynamic pulse vibrations created by the rotating propeller. This wear can be detected as looseness of the shaft in the end bushing. Some wear is acceptable.
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How do I know when to replace or service my fuel selector valve?
The most common indication of external fuel valve leaks is the smell of avgas in the cabin. Most valves are located under the cabin floor. Fuel stain on the valve and drain plug or drain valve or on the belly of the aircraft can also indicate external leakage. External leaks are generally around the actuation valve stem. Internal leaks are detected when the fuel is turned off and fuel continues to drip during fuel system maintenance. Inner port leakage will allow fuel from one tank to leak into another fuel tank. This type leak is difficult to detect. Fuel transfer from one tank to another with the fuel valve selected to one tank only will indicate inner-port leakage. An extended period of time is needed to detect fuel transfer from one tank to another. Generally if internal leakage is detected when servicing the fuel system, it is likely there is also inner-port leakage.
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How do I maintain my fuel and oil drain valves?
Curtis Superior and SAF-AIR valves are designed for installation in a standard NPT port for NPT threaded valves or an AND-10050 style port for UNF threaded valves. Use a thread sealant or Teflon tape on pipe threaded valves. Never allow any thread sealant on the first thread . This will prevent contamination of the fuel system. Refer to aircraft manufacturer's torque specifications for the aircraft in which it is being used.
Replace the rubber seals as per the aircraft manufacturer’s recommendations or every ten years when no guidance is given. McFarlane stocks replacement seals and seal kits for both Curtis Superior and SAF-AIR valves. The new Curtis valves use a O-ring type seal instead of the flat seal that was previously used.
SAF-AIR valves are designed to be disassembled and the O-rings replaced. Over time, if the valve should start to leak, check to make sure the drain valve is tight. If drain valve is found to be tight, then check the O-rings. All O-rings used are buna "n", MS29513 Style, MIL-P-5315. SAF-AIR O-ring seal kits are available for most of their valves. Add a "K" or "-K" suffix to the valve part number.
Never have a hose attached in flight to the oil drain valve. Engine vibration and the additional attached mass can cause premature seal and valve wear which could result in valve failure and a loss of engine oil.
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How do I replace the shear pin on an NL Starter?
The Kickback Protection System or KPS® for the NL and NL/EC family of starters is through a field-replaceable shear pin. When energizing the starter, if the pinion engages the flywheel and the starter motor spins (or at least sounds like it is spinning), but the starter’s pinion gear does not rotate you should replace the shear pin.
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How do I tell the difference between the 12 and 24 volt lamp leads used in the Plane Power warning system?
The 14-1010 14 volt Plane Power lamp has yellow leads. The Plane Power 14-1011 24 volt lamp has purple leads.
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