The Skybolt Diamondhead Fasteners used in Vans RV kits utilize an adjustable receptacle that we designed and patented in the early 1990s. The adjustment thread is 1/2-32 or 32 threads per inch which works out to be .030 adjustment per 360 degree turn. There are two locking grooves that allow adjustment increments of .015.
Before making the initial adjustment setting, check that the receptacle inserts are near the face of the receptacle. If they are too deep, you will not be able to engage the studs. Place the cowling in position and engage all fasteners. Screw the fasteners in as if they were machine screws until the heads are flush with the grommets. Use a quick push turn motion to unlock the fasteners without disturbing the receptacle inserts. With the cowling removed, pull all anti-lock pins. With a flat blade screwdriver, turn each insert clockwise until the receptacle locking band engages into the insert locking groove.
Note: It is possible to screw the studs all the way into the base of the grommet (head about .030 below the surface). If you had access to the anti-lock pin and removed it, it may be impossible to unlock the fastener. Without breaking the fastener, you must unlock the receptacle and return the setting such that the fastener head is flush with the grommet face. If you ever installed a Dzus fastener, our receptacle design can be described as an up-side-down Dzus fastener. The Dzus stud geometry is very similar to our receptacle insert thus the same locking dynamics.
It helps to look closely at the locking slot in the receptacle insert and note how it works. As the fastener is turned, it is drawn inward to an apex in the locking slot, then rebounds .020 to .030 into a locking saddle. So the fastener must have approximately .030 compression remaining when locked for the pin to retrace the motion over the apex when unlocking.
Re-install cowling and attempt to lock all fasteners. If the locking action requires more than about 10 inch-lbs (notable force), do not attempt to force the fastener; the adjustment at that location is set too deep. The Skybolt Diamondhead studs are very hard and you can over stress the crosspin with no galling like other brands. We have strengthened the crosspin to perform at levels beyond steel fasteners, but severe torsion will exceed the design load of the pin. Most initial adjustments should be right on the money.
For any locations where the heads are not flush or studs will not lock, use a small piece of masking tape and place it on the lower cowl or the airframe adjacent to the firewall. Write a -1, +1, -1.5.....to indicate how many half turns you estimate to make the heads flush with the grommets. If it appears the head is .015 high, mark the tape with -1 such that with the cowling removed, you know to adjust that location 1/2 turn or .015 in. If the stud will not lock, start with +1 or 1 full turn at that l location.
You can set and lock a complete cowling in the time it takes to read this information.
Skybolt is running a 20% promotion on complete Vans RV Cowling Kits from now through April 26, 2015 (Sun N Fun Special). If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-223-1963. All Skybolt kits have our latest revisions in hardened Diamondhead studs, high shear grommets, enhanced receptacles, including our patented interlocking mounting flanges.
Before making the initial adjustment setting, check that the receptacle inserts are near the face of the receptacle. If they are too deep, you will not be able to engage the studs. Place the cowling in position and engage all fasteners. Screw the fasteners in as if they were machine screws until the heads are flush with the grommets. Use a quick push turn motion to unlock the fasteners without disturbing the receptacle inserts. With the cowling removed, pull all anti-lock pins. With a flat blade screwdriver, turn each insert clockwise until the receptacle locking band engages into the insert locking groove.
Note: It is possible to screw the studs all the way into the base of the grommet (head about .030 below the surface). If you had access to the anti-lock pin and removed it, it may be impossible to unlock the fastener. Without breaking the fastener, you must unlock the receptacle and return the setting such that the fastener head is flush with the grommet face. If you ever installed a Dzus fastener, our receptacle design can be described as an up-side-down Dzus fastener. The Dzus stud geometry is very similar to our receptacle insert thus the same locking dynamics.
It helps to look closely at the locking slot in the receptacle insert and note how it works. As the fastener is turned, it is drawn inward to an apex in the locking slot, then rebounds .020 to .030 into a locking saddle. So the fastener must have approximately .030 compression remaining when locked for the pin to retrace the motion over the apex when unlocking.
Re-install cowling and attempt to lock all fasteners. If the locking action requires more than about 10 inch-lbs (notable force), do not attempt to force the fastener; the adjustment at that location is set too deep. The Skybolt Diamondhead studs are very hard and you can over stress the crosspin with no galling like other brands. We have strengthened the crosspin to perform at levels beyond steel fasteners, but severe torsion will exceed the design load of the pin. Most initial adjustments should be right on the money.
For any locations where the heads are not flush or studs will not lock, use a small piece of masking tape and place it on the lower cowl or the airframe adjacent to the firewall. Write a -1, +1, -1.5.....to indicate how many half turns you estimate to make the heads flush with the grommets. If it appears the head is .015 high, mark the tape with -1 such that with the cowling removed, you know to adjust that location 1/2 turn or .015 in. If the stud will not lock, start with +1 or 1 full turn at that l location.
You can set and lock a complete cowling in the time it takes to read this information.
Skybolt is running a 20% promotion on complete Vans RV Cowling Kits from now through April 26, 2015 (Sun N Fun Special). If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-223-1963. All Skybolt kits have our latest revisions in hardened Diamondhead studs, high shear grommets, enhanced receptacles, including our patented interlocking mounting flanges.
