Bungee Material for Landing Gear and Engine Bay Doors

[[email protected]]

I am looking for a source for bungee material for my landing gear and engine bay doors (ASH-26E). The original (German-sourced?) bungee is about 5 mm diameter and stretches to about twice the rested length. The 3/16 inch USA-sourced material I have been able to find (McMaster-Carr, etc.) doesn't stretch quite as much, about 75% rested length. Since the adjustment on the '26's engine bay doors is quite critical, I really would like to find the original (German-sourced?) bungee material with more stretch. Anyone know where I can get some?

Thanks,
Jim

[Kiwi User]

On Sun, 03 Dec 2017 05:38:01 -0800, julietsix wrote:

> I am looking for a source for bungee material for my landing gear and
> engine bay doors (ASH-26E). The original (German-sourced?) bungee is
> about 5 mm diameter and stretches to about twice the rested length.
>
Try Amazon or eBay. Both sell 5mm bungee in 10 and 20m lengths, 100m
reels or by the metre. In the UK we can also get it from boating
equipment stores and firms selling tents and awnings to market traders.

I thought that REI and similar stores may sell bungee. They do, on either
side of the pond, but its not what you want. Their 'bungee' is what you'd
use to tie stuff onto a car's roof rack: 8-10mm diameter, 2-3 feet long
and with a hook on each end.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie
| dot org

[[email protected]]

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty
JJ

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 7:38:05 AM UTC-6, wrote:
> I am looking for a source for bungee material for my landing gear and engine bay doors (ASH-26E). The original (German-sourced?) bungee is about 5 mm diameter and stretches to about twice the rested length. The 3/16 inch USA-sourced material I have been able to find (McMaster-Carr, etc.) doesn't stretch quite as much, about 75% rested length. Since the adjustment on the '26's engine bay doors is quite critical, I really would like to find the original (German-sourced?) bungee material with more stretch. Anyone know where I can get some?
>
> Thanks,
> Jim

Thanks, guys, good input....

No joy on Amazon (searching from the USA), but I'll keep checking.

I have an eBay purchase on the way, from China, real cheap. The best "specifications" I can find are comments like "100% stretch" and "Capable of stretching under load to about twice it's untensioned length". I am not real confident of getting decent quality, life, or performance, we'll see what I get. Here are two links:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/112044223163
https://www.ebay.com/itm/322860613155

I did find a German eBay supplier, but they are out of stock on 5 mm:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bungee-Cord-Gummiseil-PE-Expanderseil-3mm-4mm-5mm-6mm-8mm-schwarz-lfd-m/251963112779?hash=item3aaa2bfd4b:m:mqvS4MZBbMH1N1H KIs7sdsA

I've checked Aircraft Spruce also, "shock cord", but they don't stock 5 mm (3/16 inch). Their material is MIL-C-5651D spec'ed, greater than 100% elongation, so that is good. If I don't like the 5 mm stuff I get from eBay, I might try their 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch material.

But the best would be to find the original (German-sourced?) material.... This may be it:

https://www.schnurhaus-onlineshop.de/epages/15508078.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15508078/Products/05-GL-PESGw-020

But 20 meters is way more than I need, and they want 30 Euros to ship Germany to USA.

We'll see what I get from China. But I still would like to get a meter or two of the original stuff if I can.

Cheers,
Jim

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 9:35:33 AM UTC-6, wrote:
> On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 7:38:05 AM UTC-6, wrote:
> > I am looking for a source for bungee material for my landing gear and engine bay doors (ASH-26E). The original (German-sourced?) bungee is about 5 mm diameter and stretches to about twice the rested length. The 3/16 inch USA-sourced material I have been able to find (McMaster-Carr, etc.) doesn't stretch quite as much, about 75% rested length. Since the adjustment on the '26's engine bay doors is quite critical, I really would like to find the original (German-sourced?) bungee material with more stretch. Anyone know where I can get some?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Jim
>
> Thanks, guys, good input....
>
> No joy on Amazon (searching from the USA), but I'll keep checking.
>
> I have an eBay purchase on the way, from China, real cheap. The best "specifications" I can find are comments like "100% stretch" and "Capable of stretching under load to about twice it's untensioned length". I am not real confident of getting decent quality, life, or performance, we'll see what I get. Here are two links:
>
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/112044223163
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/322860613155
>
> I did find a German eBay supplier, but they are out of stock on 5 mm:
>
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bungee-Cord-Gummiseil-PE-Expanderseil-3mm-4mm-5mm-6mm-8mm-schwarz-lfd-m/251963112779?hash=item3aaa2bfd4b:m:mqvS4MZBbMH1N1H KIs7sdsA
>
> I've checked Aircraft Spruce also, "shock cord", but they don't stock 5 mm (3/16 inch). Their material is MIL-C-5651D spec'ed, greater than 100% elongation, so that is good. If I don't like the 5 mm stuff I get from eBay, I might try their 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch material.
>
> But the best would be to find the original (German-sourced?) material.... This may be it:
>
> https://www.schnurhaus-onlineshop.de/epages/15508078.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15508078/Products/05-GL-PESGw-020
>
> But 20 meters is way more than I need, and they want 30 Euros to ship Germany to USA.
>
> We'll see what I get from China. But I still would like to get a meter or two of the original stuff if I can.
>
> Cheers,
> Jim


Source for 3/16 inch MIL-C-5651D Type 1 shock cord, 500 ft rolls, that's a lot of gear doors, haha!

http://www.theecwcorp.com/braided-elastic-cord-316-style-mil-c-5651d-type-i-p-317.html

Cheers,
Jim

[Dan Marotta]

Perhaps the Schleicher dealer in the US.

On 12/3/2017 8:44 AM, wrote:
> On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 9:35:33 AM UTC-6, wrote:
>> On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 7:38:05 AM UTC-6, wrote:
>>> I am looking for a source for bungee material for my landing gear and engine bay doors (ASH-26E). The original (German-sourced?) bungee is about 5 mm diameter and stretches to about twice the rested length. The 3/16 inch USA-sourced material I have been able to find (McMaster-Carr, etc.) doesn't stretch quite as much, about 75% rested length. Since the adjustment on the '26's engine bay doors is quite critical, I really would like to find the original (German-sourced?) bungee material with more stretch. Anyone know where I can get some?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Jim
>> Thanks, guys, good input....
>>
>> No joy on Amazon (searching from the USA), but I'll keep checking.
>>
>> I have an eBay purchase on the way, from China, real cheap. The best "specifications" I can find are comments like "100% stretch" and "Capable of stretching under load to about twice it's untensioned length". I am not real confident of getting decent quality, life, or performance, we'll see what I get. Here are two links:
>>
>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/112044223163
>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/322860613155
>>
>> I did find a German eBay supplier, but they are out of stock on 5 mm:
>>
>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bungee-Cord-Gummiseil-PE-Expanderseil-3mm-4mm-5mm-6mm-8mm-schwarz-lfd-m/251963112779?hash=item3aaa2bfd4b:m:mqvS4MZBbMH1N1H KIs7sdsA
>>
>> I've checked Aircraft Spruce also, "shock cord", but they don't stock 5 mm (3/16 inch). Their material is MIL-C-5651D spec'ed, greater than 100% elongation, so that is good. If I don't like the 5 mm stuff I get from eBay, I might try their 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch material.
>>
>> But the best would be to find the original (German-sourced?) material.... This may be it:
>>
>> https://www.schnurhaus-onlineshop.de/epages/15508078.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15508078/Products/05-GL-PESGw-020
>>
>> But 20 meters is way more than I need, and they want 30 Euros to ship Germany to USA.
>>
>> We'll see what I get from China. But I still would like to get a meter or two of the original stuff if I can.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Jim
>
> Source for 3/16 inch MIL-C-5651D Type 1 shock cord, 500 ft rolls, that's a lot of gear doors, haha!
>
> http://www.theecwcorp.com/braided-elastic-cord-316-style-mil-c-5651d-type-i-p-317.html
>
> Cheers,
> Jim
>

--
Dan, 5J

[Craig Funston[_3_]]

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 8:58:27 AM UTC-8, Dan Marotta wrote:
> Perhaps the Schleicher dealer in the US.
>
> On 12/3/2017 8:44 AM, wrote:
> > On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 9:35:33 AM UTC-6, wrote:
> >> On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 7:38:05 AM UTC-6, wrote:
> >>> I am looking for a source for bungee material for my landing gear and engine bay doors (ASH-26E). The original (German-sourced?) bungee is about 5 mm diameter and stretches to about twice the rested length. The 3/16 inch USA-sourced material I have been able to find (McMaster-Carr, etc.) doesn't stretch quite as much, about 75% rested length. Since the adjustment on the '26's engine bay doors is quite critical, I really would like to find the original (German-sourced?) bungee material with more stretch. Anyone know where I can get some?
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>> Jim
> >> Thanks, guys, good input....
> >>
> >> No joy on Amazon (searching from the USA), but I'll keep checking.
> >>
> >> I have an eBay purchase on the way, from China, real cheap. The best "specifications" I can find are comments like "100% stretch" and "Capable of stretching under load to about twice it's untensioned length". I am not real confident of getting decent quality, life, or performance, we'll see what I get. Here are two links:
> >>
> >> https://www.ebay.com/itm/112044223163
> >> https://www.ebay.com/itm/322860613155
> >>
> >> I did find a German eBay supplier, but they are out of stock on 5 mm:
> >>
> >> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bungee-Cord-Gummiseil-PE-Expanderseil-3mm-4mm-5mm-6mm-8mm-schwarz-lfd-m/251963112779?hash=item3aaa2bfd4b:m:mqvS4MZBbMH1N1H KIs7sdsA
> >>
> >> I've checked Aircraft Spruce also, "shock cord", but they don't stock 5 mm (3/16 inch). Their material is MIL-C-5651D spec'ed, greater than 100% elongation, so that is good. If I don't like the 5 mm stuff I get from eBay, I might try their 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch material.
> >>
> >> But the best would be to find the original (German-sourced?) material..... This may be it:
> >>
> >> https://www.schnurhaus-onlineshop.de/epages/15508078.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15508078/Products/05-GL-PESGw-020
> >>
> >> But 20 meters is way more than I need, and they want 30 Euros to ship Germany to USA.
> >>
> >> We'll see what I get from China. But I still would like to get a meter or two of the original stuff if I can.
> >>
> >> Cheers,
> >> Jim
> >
> > Source for 3/16 inch MIL-C-5651D Type 1 shock cord, 500 ft rolls, that's a lot of gear doors, haha!
> >
> > http://www.theecwcorp.com/braided-elastic-cord-316-style-mil-c-5651d-type-i-p-317.html
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Jim
> >
>
> --
> Dan, 5J

Many hiking / climbing / outdoor stores will carry bungee cord in bulk. If you're in the US, try REI, or one of the big box stores with lots of guns and dead animals in it. ;-)

Craig
7Q

[jfitch]

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 5:38:05 AM UTC-8, wrote:
> I am looking for a source for bungee material for my landing gear and engine bay doors (ASH-26E). The original (German-sourced?) bungee is about 5 mm diameter and stretches to about twice the rested length. The 3/16 inch USA-sourced material I have been able to find (McMaster-Carr, etc.) doesn't stretch quite as much, about 75% rested length. Since the adjustment on the '26's engine bay doors is quite critical, I really would like to find the original (German-sourced?) bungee material with more stretch. Anyone know where I can get some?
>
> Thanks,
> Jim

West Marine.

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 2:29:35 PM UTC-6, jfitch wrote:
> On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 5:38:05 AM UTC-8, wrote:
> > I am looking for a source for bungee material for my landing gear and engine bay doors (ASH-26E). The original (German-sourced?) bungee is about 5 mm diameter and stretches to about twice the rested length. The 3/16 inch USA-sourced material I have been able to find (McMaster-Carr, etc.) doesn't stretch quite as much, about 75% rested length. Since the adjustment on the '26's engine bay doors is quite critical, I really would like to find the original (German-sourced?) bungee material with more stretch. Anyone know where I can get some?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Jim
>
> West Marine.

Yes, all good tips, thanks. I have an email out to Rex and Noelle. I have checked just one local big box outdoor store, and they had some 3/16 inch but the stuff they had again only stretched about 75%. There are others close by, we'll see. I haven't checked West Marine or other marine supply, don't really have one very close to me here in Birmingham, Alabama.

Maybe I'm being picky on looking for 100% stretch, but the '26's engine bay doors are a bit finicky on the adjustment (at least mine are). I'm thinking more stretchiness (more like the original material) would be more forgiving and easier to adjust correctly. And might last longer, too.

Thanks again,
Jim J6

[Dave Nadler]

Some notes about bungees...

There's a lot of poor quality bungee, with terrible life and no UV resistance. Junk I bought on the road to secure a loose trailer safety chain disintegrated within weeks. Be careful where you source.

Stretch to 100% will result in reduced life. If possible avoid it (not always possible replacing an existing bungee).

To reduce %stretch its sometimes possible to fit a longer expansion track. I've used poly tubing bent with some heat as a track (bungee runs smoothly inside poly track); tubing bent as necessary to fit inside engine bay and give bungee nice length (with heat, take care to stretch and avoid wrinkling tube). This wasn't a '26 however.

Hope that helps!
Best Regards, Dave

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

Try West Marine, years ago I purchased bungee for my ASH26, worked perfect and I just found some of the same stuff in a box of old glider parts, still acts as if new.

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 10:56:09 AM UTC-8, Craig Funston wrote:

> Many hiking / climbing / outdoor stores will carry bungee cord in bulk. If you're in the US, try REI, or one of the big box stores with lots of guns and dead animals in it. ;-)
>
> Craig
> 7Q

[kinsell]

On 12/03/2017 08:44 AM, wrote:
> On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 9:35:33 AM UTC-6, wrote:
>> On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 7:38:05 AM UTC-6, wrote:
>>> I am looking for a source for bungee material for my landing gear and engine bay doors (ASH-26E). The original (German-sourced?) bungee is about 5 mm diameter and stretches to about twice the rested length. The 3/16 inch USA-sourced material I have been able to find (McMaster-Carr, etc.) doesn't stretch quite as much, about 75% rested length. Since the adjustment on the '26's engine bay doors is quite critical, I really would like to find the original (German-sourced?) bungee material with more stretch. Anyone know where I can get some?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Jim
>>
>> Thanks, guys, good input....
>>
>> No joy on Amazon (searching from the USA), but I'll keep checking.
>>
>> I have an eBay purchase on the way, from China, real cheap. The best "specifications" I can find are comments like "100% stretch" and "Capable of stretching under load to about twice it's untensioned length". I am not real confident of getting decent quality, life, or performance, we'll see what I get. Here are two links:
>>
>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/112044223163
>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/322860613155
>>
>> I did find a German eBay supplier, but they are out of stock on 5 mm:
>>
>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bungee-Cord-Gummiseil-PE-Expanderseil-3mm-4mm-5mm-6mm-8mm-schwarz-lfd-m/251963112779?hash=item3aaa2bfd4b:m:mqvS4MZBbMH1N1H KIs7sdsA
>>
>> I've checked Aircraft Spruce also, "shock cord", but they don't stock 5 mm (3/16 inch). Their material is MIL-C-5651D spec'ed, greater than 100% elongation, so that is good. If I don't like the 5 mm stuff I get from eBay, I might try their 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch material.
>>
>> But the best would be to find the original (German-sourced?) material.... This may be it:
>>
>> https://www.schnurhaus-onlineshop.de/epages/15508078.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15508078/Products/05-GL-PESGw-020
>>
>> But 20 meters is way more than I need, and they want 30 Euros to ship Germany to USA.
>>
>> We'll see what I get from China. But I still would like to get a meter or two of the original stuff if I can.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Jim
>
>
> Source for 3/16 inch MIL-C-5651D Type 1 shock cord, 500 ft rolls, that's a lot of gear doors, haha!
>
> http://www.theecwcorp.com/braided-elastic-cord-316-style-mil-c-5651d-type-i-p-317.html
>
> Cheers,
> Jim
>

On my 26E, I measured factory original cord as .160 inch (light
pressure with a caliper), so I took that as 4 mm. Real close to 5/32.

[Darryl Ramm]

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 5:38:05 AM UTC-8, wrote:
> I am looking for a source for bungee material for my landing gear and engine bay doors (ASH-26E). The original (German-sourced?) bungee is about 5 mm diameter and stretches to about twice the rested length. The 3/16 inch USA-sourced material I have been able to find (McMaster-Carr, etc.) doesn't stretch quite as much, about 75% rested length. Since the adjustment on the '26's engine bay doors is quite critical, I really would like to find the original (German-sourced?) bungee material with more stretch. Anyone know where I can get some?
>
> Thanks,
> Jim

This has been well discussed on the ASH-26E owners list.

I have had no problem using McMaster Carr 3/16 (~5mm) bungee cord on my ASH26E, and I've replaced engine bay door bungees several times. It is not rocket science, but you have to not over tighten the cord.

[Dave Nadler]

On Monday, December 4, 2017 at 1:03:26 AM UTC-5, Darryl Ramm wrote:
> ...I have had no problem using McMaster Carr 3/16 (~5mm) bungee cord on
> my ASH26E, and I've replaced engine bay door bungees several times...

Um, if you've had no problem, why do you need to keep replacing bungees???

[Scott Williams]

On Monday, December 4, 2017 at 8:00:06 AM UTC-6, Dave Nadler wrote:
> On Monday, December 4, 2017 at 1:03:26 AM UTC-5, Darryl Ramm wrote:
> > ...I have had no problem using McMaster Carr 3/16 (~5mm) bungee cord on
> > my ASH26E, and I've replaced engine bay door bungees several times...
>
> Um, if you've had no problem, why do you need to keep replacing bungees???

I have replaced the gear door bungees on my gliders every few years, usually once they begin to get sucked open in a slip. I get about three years out of aviation bungees, and got one or two years out of commercial (Chinese) cord.
The seemingly short life I attribute to a very light installation preload, to minimize wear on the door surfaces, and constant stretched pressure. either with the doors closed or open. The correct tension therefore falls into a narrow range, which goes away within a few years.
I found it interesting that the aviation cords have a color code for the date of manufacture braided into the jacket.
cheers,
Scott, SHK & Std Cirrus

[Darryl Ramm]

On Monday, December 4, 2017 at 6:00:06 AM UTC-8, Dave Nadler wrote:
> On Monday, December 4, 2017 at 1:03:26 AM UTC-5, Darryl Ramm wrote:
> > ...I have had no problem using McMaster Carr 3/16 (~5mm) bungee cord on
> > my ASH26E, and I've replaced engine bay door bungees several times...
>
> Um, if you've had no problem, why do you need to keep replacing bungees???

Jeez, the ever enquiring mind of Dave Nadler :-) The rear bungee may gets cut off when you remove the doors. (or if you have enough pairs of hand/your act together you take both doors off at once. And the front bungee wears out after many years.. You might also replace them to improve the style of fastening clip attached to the front bungees. Are those enough reasons? :-)

A common problem is people over tightening bungees on Schleicher motorgliders. The doors can bang around sometimes in flight with the mast extended, overtightening the bungees to try to stop that is not a solution, besides that a reminder to fly more coordinated.

[OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net]

On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 8:56:37 PM UTC-6, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
> Try West Marine, years ago I purchased bungee for my ASH26, worked perfect and I just found some of the same stuff in a box of old glider parts, still acts as if new.

Ditto suggestion on West Marine. As it is intended for marine use it holds up very well. And it comes in multiple colors! Be wild and crazy with your bungee!

[2G]

On Monday, December 4, 2017 at 4:57:19 PM UTC-8, OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 8:56:37 PM UTC-6, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
> > Try West Marine, years ago I purchased bungee for my ASH26, worked perfect and I just found some of the same stuff in a box of old glider parts, still acts as if new.
>
> Ditto suggestion on West Marine. As it is intended for marine use it holds up very well. And it comes in multiple colors! Be wild and crazy with your bungee!

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/new-england-ropes--white-and-red-shock-cord-sold-by-the-foot--P017986852?recordNum=3

[Jonathan St. Cloud]

I have 25 year old west marine bungee cord that is still good. Safe bet it was not made in China!

On Monday, December 4, 2017 at 8:54:27 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
> On Monday, December 4, 2017 at 4:57:19 PM UTC-8, OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> > On Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 8:56:37 PM UTC-6, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
> > > Try West Marine, years ago I purchased bungee for my ASH26, worked perfect and I just found some of the same stuff in a box of old glider parts, still acts as if new.
> >
> > Ditto suggestion on West Marine. As it is intended for marine use it holds up very well. And it comes in multiple colors! Be wild and crazy with your bungee!
>
> https://www.westmarine.com/buy/new-england-ropes--white-and-red-shock-cord-sold-by-the-foot--P017986852?recordNum=3