John,
It's a lot easier, lighter and cheaper than that. (You don't often get those
all in the same package)
You will note that the centre around which the balance arm swings, is
displaced from the centre around which the wires' roots swing (the tailplane
tube) by about 3 inches. You can exploit this to get the tension exactly
right and balanced.
Terminate one end of each wire on the tailplane tube as instructed. Feed
the swages on to the wires at their free ends and attach these to the
forward lugs on the balance arm but with the swages loose. (Clamp the wires
temporarily using litle u bolts so you will be able to adjust their tensions
easily).
With the bottom of the balance arm connection free, if you simply lift the
balance arm about 8 inches, apply a moderate and even tension to each wire,
then do up the u bolts. You will see that as you drop the arm into its
proper location, the wires' tensions increase because of the offset centres.
When you're satisfied with tension and balance, swage 'm up.
It is possible to apply large tensions this way because of the mechanical
advantage of the over-centre. Take care not to deform the balance arm lugs.
Voila.
Dave Simpson
-----Original Message-----
From: JChesbrough <JChesbrough@compuserve.com>
Date: 02 February 2000 16:00
Subject: Counterweight Cable Tension
Any suggestions on how to adjust the tension of the cables attached to the
side of the stabiliser counterweight arm?
Turnbuckles would be one way. Or possibly a cable bending device like a
cable tension gauge. Any ideas?
John Chesbrough
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