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  #1  
Old 10-22-2012, 04:25 PM
fkyser fkyser is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Enterprise, Alabama
Posts: 6
Default RV-7A tip up canopy leaking around front hinges

We finished our N30FK in March 2012. I have not flew it in rain yet but when I wash it it leaks around the front hinges. We put the sealer strip that vans supplied across the front, and even put some rtv around the hinges but it still leaks. Has anyone else had this problem, and if so how did you fix it? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
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  #2  
Old 10-22-2012, 04:44 PM
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Brantel Brantel is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newport, TN
Posts: 7,496
Default

Oh yeah, it leaks like a minnow seine...

That is unless you ask the factory. They say it does not leak even in the Pacific North West. That is honestly what I heard Ken with my own ears say to a prospective RV14 builder at Osh. Guess that is why they did not address this issue at all with the RV14.

You can slow it down but I doubt due to the design it is possible to completely stop the leaks.

One suggestion that I am looking into is to build a gutter on both sides of the subpanel when I redo my panel. I will make drains in it so the water goes overboard instead of directly into the $$$ avionics.

Just wait till you are caught in a shower, land and then open up the canopy....all that water on the canopy goes straight into the panel area. I have a ripstop nylon cover over this area for this issue.
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  #3  
Old 10-22-2012, 04:44 PM
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rzbill rzbill is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Asheville, NC
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See this:

My TU Seal fix
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Bill Pendergrass
ME/AE '82
RV-7A: Flying since April 15, 2012. 850 hrs
YIO-360-M1B, mags, CS, GRT EX and WS H1s & A/P, Navworx
Unpainted, polished....kinda'... Eyeballin' vinyl really hard.
Yeah. The boss got a Silhouette Cameo 4 Xmas 2019.
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  #4  
Old 10-22-2012, 10:04 PM
Rupester Rupester is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mahomet, Illinois
Posts: 2,195
Default Seal/w'strip type ?

Is that "Vans supplied seal" the standard P-seal? it sure doesn't look like it.
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Terry Ruprecht
RV-9A Tip-up; IO-320 D2A
S. James cowl/plenum
(Dues paid thru Nov '18)
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  #5  
Old 10-23-2012, 03:57 AM
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rzbill rzbill is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Asheville, NC
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I used the seal supplied by Vans in the kit. It is a teardrop shaped seal, not the white P seal that is on the sides against the canopy rails.
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Bill Pendergrass
ME/AE '82
RV-7A: Flying since April 15, 2012. 850 hrs
YIO-360-M1B, mags, CS, GRT EX and WS H1s & A/P, Navworx
Unpainted, polished....kinda'... Eyeballin' vinyl really hard.
Yeah. The boss got a Silhouette Cameo 4 Xmas 2019.
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  #6  
Old 10-23-2012, 09:17 AM
fkyser fkyser is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Enterprise, Alabama
Posts: 6
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Thanks for the input. I have got to fix it someway as I have over 20k invested in the dash with the twin 10" skyviews and garmin radio's etc. I really do appreciate your advise and help. I do believe Vans could have come up with a better design on this though.
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  #7  
Old 10-23-2012, 11:12 AM
RVguy RVguy is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Lewiston, NY
Posts: 35
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I wonder if Vans has fixed the leak issue on the new RV14...would make sense.
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  #8  
Old 10-23-2012, 11:23 AM
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Brantel Brantel is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newport, TN
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVguy View Post
I wonder if Vans has fixed the leak issue on the new RV14...would make sense.
Nope, if anything it will be worse since the top fwd skin on the prototype has slots in it with vinyl stickers covering em. I checked this out pretty strongly at Osh and it appears they made no attempt to fix it. Check out post #2 in this thread.

I would have thought they would have went to more of an RV12 type design but guess not.
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Brantel (Brian Chesteen),
Check out my RV-10 builder's BLOG
RV-10, #41942, N?????, Project Sold
---------------------------------------------------------------------
RV-7/TU, #72823, N159SB
Lyc. O-360 carbed, HARTZELL BA CS Prop, Dual P-MAGs, Dual Garmin G3X Touch
Track N159SB (KK4LIF)
Like EAA Chapter 1494 on Facebook
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  #9  
Old 10-23-2012, 01:24 PM
terrykohler terrykohler is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,009
Default What I've Found

The cowl skin on my 9A sits a little higher than the skin of the tip-up. Flying thru rain has not been an issue so far. On a couple of occasions, I've penetrated some heavy ( actually took my headset off to listen to the noise) rain which resulted in drops of water landing on my feet. That was a little disconcerting during an ILS approach wondering if my radios were going to puke. It's not something I'll likely do again. In any event, I'm confident of the integrity of the cabin in flight, in light to moderate rain. When parking, I use painters tape to cover the canopy seams, as they're prone to leaking when the water is coming from above. Same is true with washing the plane. Also, mention was made of opening the canopy while the rain is falling. I agree, it could be an issue.
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP
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  #10  
Old 10-23-2012, 05:03 PM
RVguy RVguy is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Lewiston, NY
Posts: 35
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I am still quite a ways from choosing my canopy option but thus thread has got new thinking. Would the slider option be better for leaks ? Are there other after market solutions even going as far as a differently designed canopy? Thanks
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