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  #1  
Old 08-29-2010, 05:26 AM
Platyius Platyius is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Port Macquarie Australia
Posts: 45
Default Canopy Lock

It has worried me since I finished my RV-12 that there is no lock to prevent light fingered people gaining access to the cockpit when left unattended.
I have come up with a very simple locking mechanism out of two pieces of stainless steel and a padlock as shown below. It is attached using the two screws beside the handle.
Also shown are my two drink bottle holders.







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  #2  
Old 08-29-2010, 12:50 PM
meadeduck meadeduck is offline
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Marietta, Ga.
Posts: 220
Default Canopy Lock...maybe...

I'm not sure mate, but aren't those two Phillips head screws a bit exposed...?
:-)
Meade
N612RV
(1/2)
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  #3  
Old 08-29-2010, 02:29 PM
gblwy's Avatar
gblwy gblwy is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Perth, Scotland
Posts: 494
Default Deterrent

I guess a padlock is just a visible deterrent to those looking for easy pickings. You could always put a loose nylock nut on the other side of the screw so that it spins round when unscrewed from the outside.

I'm looking for a locking solution. And a parking brake would be good too.

Cheers...Keith
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  #4  
Old 08-29-2010, 08:45 PM
DENMACRES DENMACRES is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MONTGOMERY, TX.
Posts: 89
Default lock

now they will just smash the canopy, more work.
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  #5  
Old 09-01-2010, 02:58 PM
dick seiders dick seiders is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 905
Default

This site really sucks! That is the fourth time I spend time to send a note and the site says you are not logged on. Wrong!!! What is it with that anyway?

Anyway Platyius, nice idea on the lock, and good pics to portray the setup. Can it cause a smashed canopy? Sure, but chances are far greater the theft of $7000 worth of avioncs (RV12) occurs when it's easy to just open an unlocked canopy and help yourself with an allen wrench. Also it's stupid for even a perp to risk a federal felony rap for that kind of prize, but they might and it's the easy pickings they look for.
Dick Seiders
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  #6  
Old 09-01-2010, 03:40 PM
Mich48041 Mich48041 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Riley TWP MI
Posts: 3,070
Default Computer problem?

Quote:
That is the fourth time I spend time to send a note and the site says you are not logged on. Wrong!!! What is it with that anyway?
The problem might be your computer. I never have a problem with this website.
Regardless, here are some things to try:
Before submitting a reply, copy your posting to your computer clipboard (CTRL-A and CTRL-C). If there is a problem with the website or your browser, then you still have a copy and will not have to re-type it. Just paste it (CTRL-V).
Perhaps the website has a time limit and will sign you out after a period of no activity, like while you are composing a message. Try enabling cookies for www.VansAirforce.com. Also, if there is a check-box on the login screen to keep you logged on, then check that. I hope that helps.
Joe
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  #7  
Old 09-01-2010, 05:21 PM
RV8R999 RV8R999 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: na
Posts: 1,457
Default

Thanks for the concept! I'm going to do similar but rather drill a hole through the last 1/4" of the latch handle and position the bracket so you'll no longer need the seperate piece. Thanks
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  #8  
Old 09-01-2010, 05:52 PM
sjjonesnz sjjonesnz is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 147
Default

My approach is a bit different. I have the vans canopy latch to keep away the really stupid thieves, if I'm leaving the a/c o'nite I always put the cover on so no-one can easily see what's inside. But I don't have a canopy lock cos if they really want to get in and steal stuff they will, and I'd rather they did as little damage as possible in doing so....but NZ is a bit different from the US as well ;-)
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Cheers
Steve
Auckland, New Zealand

Flying RV-7QB/ZK-NVS/Aerosport 0320/Dual AF3500s/PMA8000B/GNS430W/SL30/GTX327/TT ADIP II
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  #9  
Old 09-01-2010, 07:55 PM
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Jetguy Jetguy is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas, Fort Worth
Posts: 1,237
Talking A look at a different Lock installation!

Heres how we solved the lock problem. At Lowes we bought a standard Desk draw lock with a 1 inch shaft. We then drilled out a shaft diameter hole in the side of the fuse below the ¾” Angle making up the upper edge. See the lock after mounting on the outside of the fuse.

Then we cut a channel in the top surface of the edge for the arm of the lock to come up through.


We then put a small length of ¾” angle on the inside lower edge of the f the canopy frame.

Then we cut a slot in the arm of the lock to capture the piece of angle.

That’s it. Caution I would not buy the lock from Aircraft Lowes. It had too much play in it. But we made do with what we had.

John
RV12 N1212K

Last edited by Jetguy : 10-25-2010 at 08:40 PM.
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  #10  
Old 09-01-2010, 08:41 PM
rgmwa rgmwa is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 1,647
Default Very neat solution

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetguy View Post
Heres how we solved the lock problem.
John
RV12 N1212K
I assume you had to wait until after the inspection to make this modifcation?
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RV-12LR 912ULS
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