Replacing a multi-probe socket

[JS[_5_]]

Is there a 3-circuit socket which is more easily serviced when the total pressure (pitot) O-ring fails?
Jim

[Andrzej Kobus]

On Friday, March 8, 2019 at 10:48:26 PM UTC-5, JS wrote:
> Is there a 3-circuit socket which is more easily serviced when the total pressure (pitot) O-ring fails?
> Jim

Jim, it is possible to replace the last o-ring (4mm) on a multi-probe. I did it once. I must admit a lot of bad words came out of my mouth over a period of half a day, but it was done. You would need to manufacture your own tooling to do this and have incredible amount of patience, but I am certain you will succeed.

[Darryl Ramm]

Yep done the outer, dental pick tool, and a Delrin rod to seat the new O-ring in place. Done outside on the ramp at an airport, and yes lots of swearing...

[JS[_5_]]

On Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 5:41:10 PM UTC-7, Darryl Ramm wrote:
> Yep done the outer, dental pick tool, and a Delrin rod to seat the new O-ring in place. Done outside on the ramp at an airport, and yes lots of swearing...

There's a kit labeled "TE Probe" at home. Came with one of the 27s.
Also a spare UN socket which by now could need new O-rings.
The kit is like what you describe. Not thrilled about using it without better currency at swearing in German. Perhaps time to practice on the spare one.

For a replacement... Is there a difference in serviceability between type UN, UNG and SUN sockets?
This is for a friend's DG.

There's always the possibility that any leak is the probe itself. I've seen two triple probes and a standard TE probe that didn't seal, when other probes used in the same socket did.
Thanks,
Jim

[Dan Marotta]

Not being a mechanical engineer, could anyone enlighten me as to why the
o-rings are installed internally in the socket rather than externally on
the probe?Â* In either case the o-rings are getting rubbed each
installation/removal cycle and it seems light lubrication, like the skin
oil from one's nose, would work nicely. That's how I lube the probe on
my Stemme.

And, BTW, the o-rings would be oh so much easier to replace...

On 3/10/2019 7:11 PM, JS wrote:
> On Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 5:41:10 PM UTC-7, Darryl Ramm wrote:
>> Yep done the outer, dental pick tool, and a Delrin rod to seat the new O-ring in place. Done outside on the ramp at an airport, and yes lots of swearing...
> There's a kit labeled "TE Probe" at home. Came with one of the 27s.
> Also a spare UN socket which by now could need new O-rings.
> The kit is like what you describe. Not thrilled about using it without better currency at swearing in German. Perhaps time to practice on the spare one.
>
> For a replacement... Is there a difference in serviceability between type UN, UNG and SUN sockets?
> This is for a friend's DG.
>
> There's always the possibility that any leak is the probe itself. I've seen two triple probes and a standard TE probe that didn't seal, when other probes used in the same socket did.
> Thanks,
> Jim

--
Dan, 5J

[[email protected]]

On Monday, March 11, 2019 at 4:56:13 PM UTC, Dan Marotta wrote:
> Not being a mechanical engineer, could anyone enlighten me as to why the
> o-rings are installed internally in the socket rather than externally on
> the probe?Â* In either case the o-rings are getting rubbed each
> installation/removal cycle and it seems light lubrication, like the skin
> oil from one's nose, would work nicely. That's how I lube the probe on
> my Stemme.
>
> And, BTW, the o-rings would be oh so much easier to replace...
>
In ESA probes the UN sockets (eg for triple probes) have the O-rings in the socket and the ST sockets (eg for TE/Static double probes) have the O-rings on the aluminium probe fitting but those ones are more prone to fractures of the fitting on older probes - at the O-ring groove of course.

[Dan Marotta]

That makes sense and I've never had to replace any of the o-rings. I was
just curious.

On 3/11/2019 11:15 AM, wrote:
> On Monday, March 11, 2019 at 4:56:13 PM UTC, Dan Marotta wrote:
>> Not being a mechanical engineer, could anyone enlighten me as to why the
>> o-rings are installed internally in the socket rather than externally on
>> the probe?Â* In either case the o-rings are getting rubbed each
>> installation/removal cycle and it seems light lubrication, like the skin
>> oil from one's nose, would work nicely. That's how I lube the probe on
>> my Stemme.
>>
>> And, BTW, the o-rings would be oh so much easier to replace...
>>
> In ESA probes the UN sockets (eg for triple probes) have the O-rings in the socket and the ST sockets (eg for TE/Static double probes) have the O-rings on the aluminium probe fitting but those ones are more prone to fractures of the fitting on older probes - at the O-ring groove of course.

--
Dan, 5J

[Roy B.]

Dan:
For some reason the O-Rings on my South African glider get really dry & stiff. We use a very light coat of silicone "plumbers grease" on the probe about twice a year to fix that (petroleum based grease attacks the O-Ring). My US glider in Massachusetts doesn't have the problem.
ROY

[Dan Marotta]

Humidity difference?


On 3/11/2019 7:52 PM, Roy B. wrote:
> Dan:
> For some reason the O-Rings on my South African glider get really dry & stiff. We use a very light coat of silicone "plumbers grease" on the probe about twice a year to fix that (petroleum based grease attacks the O-Ring). My US glider in Massachusetts doesn't have the problem.
> ROY

--
Dan, 5J

[Tango Eight]

On Monday, March 11, 2019 at 9:52:53 PM UTC-4, Roy B. wrote:
> Dan:
> For some reason the O-Rings on my South African glider get really dry & stiff. We use a very light coat of silicone "plumbers grease" on the probe about twice a year to fix that (petroleum based grease attacks the O-Ring). My US glider in Massachusetts doesn't have the problem.
> ROY

If everyone used this, we'd have fewer problems: https://www.amazon.com/Dow-Corning-Vacuum-Lubricant-5-3oz/dp/B001UHMNW0

What I use on the o-rings I rely on in my day job, as well as my triple probe socket.

T8

[[email protected]]

Yup,

Great stuff. Probably one of the most important things that I learned about in college.

Also works great on water ballast valves. Has not melted on the ground at AirSailing or frozen in wave at 24,800 ft.

P9

[Dan Marotta]

Oh, Jeez...

So now skin oil is suspect?Â* I learned about that little trick for
assembling and (especially) disassembling my fishing rod when I lived in
Alaska... :-D

On 3/12/2019 3:13 PM, Tango Eight wrote:
> On Monday, March 11, 2019 at 9:52:53 PM UTC-4, Roy B. wrote:
>> Dan:
>> For some reason the O-Rings on my South African glider get really dry & stiff. We use a very light coat of silicone "plumbers grease" on the probe about twice a year to fix that (petroleum based grease attacks the O-Ring). My US glider in Massachusetts doesn't have the problem.
>> ROY
> If everyone used this, we'd have fewer problems: https://www.amazon.com/Dow-Corning-Vacuum-Lubricant-5-3oz/dp/B001UHMNW0
>
> What I use on the o-rings I rely on in my day job, as well as my triple probe socket.
>
> T8

--
Dan, 5J

[JS[_5_]]

A previous thread suggested using ACF-50. I've used that since. $1.65 from Aircraft Spruce. It is quite a thin liquid and unlikely to clog the tiny orifices in a multi-probe. The Dow-Corning or Super-Lube stuff can clog things.
But none fix a socket that leaks.

This seems like the thing to do: Rent a tool from Wings and Wheels for $25 plus $3.00 for the 3 O-Rings.
Jim

https://wingsandwheels.com/aircraft-parts/te-probes/esa-systems-o-ring-installation-rental-tool.html