How to install tubing on the te probe 1/2 way to the rudder?

This may be one of the only practical uses for having a child around -
provided that they can learn the procedure necessary to hook the tube
back up and can remember it or 10-15 minutes.... That last part might
be a stretch.

I wish you luck.

These things are so obvious once someone has explained them!

The vacuum cleaner you need for this enterprise is clearly the Rowland
Emmett "Little Dragon Carpet Cleaner" (visible at
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/2472299). Nothing less will do.

BTW, I really do hope this works.

Matt wrote:
OK, now I can't stop. Details on the string idea

1) Thread a foot or so of string into the TE hole from the outside.
2) Put a wad of duct tape, sticky side out, on the end of a broom
stick and use that to fetch the end of the string from the inside of
the fuselage.
3) use a #11 Exacto knife to gently chamfer the inside of the tubing
so it will start more easily over the inside of the TE tube
4) thread the string through the tubing by taping the far end of the
tubing (non chamfered) to a vacuum cleaner and letting it suck the
string all the way through the tubing.
5) Unhook the vacuum cleaner and tie of the string to that end of the
tubing.
6) Have a helper pull the string back through the TE hole, and apply
some tension as you giggle the tube around from the inside with the
broomstick
7) Inspect your work with the family video cam, then pull the string
back through the tubing from the vacuum end.
8) Celebrate with a frosty beverage of your choice, as you bask in the
knowledge that Glider pilots are more resourceful than any other
species on the planet.

Might be worth a try. At least I know you can accomplish #8 ;-)

Matt wrote:
OK, now I can't stop. Details on the string idea

1) Thread a foot or so of string into the TE hole from the outside.
2) Put a wad of duct tape, sticky side out, on the end of a broom
stick and use that to fetch the end of the string from the inside of
the fuselage.
3) use a #11 Exacto knife to gently chamfer the inside of the tubing
so it will start more easily over the inside of the TE tube
4) thread the string through the tubing by taping the far end of the
tubing (non chamfered) to a vacuum cleaner and letting it suck the
string all the way through the tubing.
5) Unhook the vacuum cleaner and tie of the string to that end of the
tubing.
6) Have a helper pull the string back through the TE hole, and apply
some tension as you giggle the tube around from the inside with the
broomstick
7) Inspect your work with the family video cam, then pull the string
back through the tubing from the vacuum end.
8) Celebrate with a frosty beverage of your choice, as you bask in the
knowledge that Glider pilots are more resourceful than any other
species on the planet.

Might be worth a try. At least I know you can accomplish #8 ;-)


Just before you pull the new TE tube, insert a pair of needle nose
pliers into the end of the tube and pull apart on the grips to stretch
the tubing out. This may take a while, but it will open up, . Once
it's in place it will slowly reform to it's initial shape. And the
hairspray idea will help too.

I'm on pins and needles awaiting the exciting conclusion to this
soaring drama. Can't wait to hear how it all turns out.

==============

Here is my idea: I had to do something like this to get some ductwork
through a crawlspace. If you can feed something down into the hole
from the outside, you are a long way towards solving this puzzle. I
would push down some stiff wire like fencing wire or some 0.041
aviation safety wire. You might need to start with light string. It
will be an somewhat easy matter to retrieve the string, then wire,
from inside the fuselage (long stick, etc). Now feed the tubing back
along this stiff wire (wire goes inside the tubing of course).
Champhering the inside lip or streaching it with needlenose (warm the
tubing first) is a great idea to get it started on the tubing. I
definately don't like putting any type of lube on the inside of the
tubing as this could get into your vario. Bad news.

Now, how to force the tubing onto the stem? You need something long,
light weight which won't deform. One inexpensive idea is a suspended
ceiling T shapped main runner. Find them at DIY stores. They are 10
feet long, cheap, and fulfill the other requirements. Attach the
tubing to the end of the T runner. I don't think that tape will do.
I am thinking some type of lasso through a hole at the end of the T
runner so that you can grip the tubing strongly and still be able to
release it.

Now, how to apply upward force 9 feet out? Tricky. I think that you
can get something about 4 feet into the fuselage that could be used as
a fulcrum for a lever for the T runner. A box might do. Be sure to
tie a string to it to retrieve it. A second T runner could be used as
a kind of "hammer" to bang on the bottom of the first runner which may
help.

Good luck. Take deep breaths. Find a friend to help. May the force
be with you.

Alright folks.....I DID IT!!!

And here's how:

I read each of the above posts, called multiple friends, while
gathering up everyone's idea, then came up with my own plan of attack.

I ordered new tubing, (thanks to Paul Remde). About 30 feet long. I
took a broom stick, duct taped to another broom stick, to make one 11
foot broom stick. The rudder was removed so I could come easily from
an access hole at the aft end of the fuselage between the vertical fin
and rudder. Then I took double sided foam tape and laid that from the
end to about 3 feet back. Then I firmly pressed the tubing onto the
foam tape. I placed flourescent lights inside the fuselage on
extension chords so I could get a good view of what I was doing. By
using the needle nose pliers, I stretched the inside of the tubing by
about 25% greater than normal inside diamator would be. Next I very
very slowly, "jabbed" the broomstick/tubing over the "barb" that
pointed towards the aft end of the fuselage. I was able to get
approxiamately a 1/4 inch of the tubing over the barb on the total
energy mount. The long 3 feet of double sided foam tape gave GREAT
strength from front to back when applying pressure to the tubing, but
from side to side it would easily peel off. Now that the tubing was
barely on, I was able to twist the broom stick and peel off the doube
sided foam tape from the tubing. I withdrew the 11 foot pole and
taped the needle nose pliers on the end of it with the pliers open
about 15 degrees, enough to get around the tubing about midway down
the pliers grips. Finally I pushed the 11 foot pole with the pliers
open and griped the tubing and mashed it over the 1 inch barb on the
total energy probe.

Believe it or not, the whole thing took about 30 mins. And about 1
week to contemplate a plan of attack.

Now I've got new tubing throughout the entire glider. It's ready to
rock!

See you at cloudbase!!!

Spring is finally here :^)
Scott