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Alt Static Air Source Options

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lr172

Legacy Member
Had leaks on my previously leak free static system last week. Finally tracked it down to the air switch I put on the panel. It came from Mcmaster, which generally is mid range quality. Seems the orings shrunk over the last few years. Am a bit hesitant to just replace it, but have a 1/2" hole in my panel for it. Any suggestions for a better quality switch or ideas for a better solution? On my 6, I just used a TEE and a cap, but was easy to hide it from view. On the 10, none of the tubing is exposed to the pilot. I was considering a bulkhead fitting with a cap, but is kind of ugly.

Appreciate any ideas
 
lr172 said:
Had leaks on my previously leak free static system last week. Finally tracked it down to the air switch I put on the panel. It came from Mcmaster, which generally is mid range quality. Seems the orings shrunk over the last few years. Am a bit hesitant to just replace it, but have a 1/2" hole in my panel for it. Any suggestions for a better quality switch or ideas for a better solution? On my 6, I just used a TEE and a cap, but was easy to hide it from view. On the 10, none of the tubing is exposed to the pilot. I was considering a bulkhead fitting with a cap, but is kind of ugly.

Appreciate any ideas
Click to expand...
www.steinair.com

Pitot Static Toggle Valve - Steinair Inc.

Pneumatic toggle actuated valve for alternate static air source. You will also need our P-515 fitting to connect to 1/4″ tubing.
www.steinair.com www.steinair.com
 
lr172 said:
Thanks. That looks identical to the one that just failed. Looks like the sam mfr stamping.
Click to expand...
Well now I know where to look first if I develop a static leak. I have the same toggle valve installed. I imagine something like that is difficult to make to where it wouldn't be susceptible to o-ring shrinkage. A bulkhead fitting with a cap is an elegant solution as long as it can be tight enough to seal well and still be loosened by hand when you need it.
 
lr172 said:
Thanks. That looks identical to the one that just failed. Looks like the sam mfr stamping.
Click to expand...
Basically the same switch I have in the SubSonex as a gear switch (pneumatic gear) - hasn’t leaked in six years… but then again, I have a dual air pump to keep pressure up if it leaks! Not like a static system that needs to be very leak free….
 
Ironflight said:
Basically the same switch I have in the SubSonex as a gear switch (pneumatic gear) - hasn’t leaked in six years… but then again, I have a dual air pump to keep pressure up if it leaks! Not like a static system that needs to be very leak free….
Click to expand...
yeah, my leak was not significant, but enough to make the tester unhappy once we got to 5000'. in your case, you probably wouldn't have even sensed the leak as would most pressure applications that use that switch.
 
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lucas2696 said:
Well now I know where to look first if I develop a static leak. I have the same toggle valve installed. I imagine something like that is difficult to make to where it wouldn't be susceptible to o-ring shrinkage. A bulkhead fitting with a cap is an elegant solution as long as it can be tight enough to seal well and still be loosened by hand when you need it.
Click to expand...
i took it apart to see if I could fix it. it has a tiny 1/8-3/16" piston with two tiny orings that do the sealing. Viton orings would probably resolve it over nitrile, but why spend another $.04 when people buy them anyways. i didn't even bother trying to find orings that small.

i can get a nyloseal type bulkhead fitting which should seal well, just not attractive. would definately mak the static tests easier though.
 
Hey Larry- I have the same toggle as you and everybody else, so no help with a better mousetrap in that regard. But it occur to be that for aesthetic purposes if a guy was going to replace it with a bulkhead fitting and a cap, he could epoxy a knurled knob or whatever on the cap to pretty it up and make it easier to turn. You'd get bonus points if you machined a cap out of aluminum, cut pipe threads in it and anodized it danger red.
 
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