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Canopy Problem

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joe(at)kfiz.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:12 am Post subject: Canopy Problem

Guys,



I have a big problem! My canopy developed a crack and spread too far before 

I could drill a stop hole. It looks like I will have to buy another canopy. 

Before I call Zenith, I thought I would seek advise about where I can get 

the best deal on one of these. I have another builder coming over this 

afternoon to look ovr the situation! Any advise?



Joe in Oshkosh

601zv(at)ritternet.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:49 am Post subject: Canopy Problem

I have the same problem, cracked it before getting around to starting 

installation. Obviously they are far more fragile than I suspected. I left 

mine rolled for a long time and then unrolled it to avoid it taking a "set". 

This was a mistake, because it is far more flexible than I would have 

thought and does not seem to take a set at all. Anyway, on the advise of 

others previously, I'm currently planning to order one from TODD'S.

http://www.toddscanopies.com/



---

carlossa52(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:54 am Post subject: Canopy Problem

Todd's canopies has been mentioned by a number of people...

http://www.toddscanopies.com/



Carlos

CH601-HD, plans



On 10/07/07,  Joe <joe(at)kfiz.com (joe(at)kfiz.com)> wrote:[quote] --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Joe" <joe(at)kfiz.com (joe(at)kfiz.com)>



Guys,



I have a big problem! My canopy developed a crack and spread too far before

I could drill a stop hole. It looks like I will have to buy another canopy. 

Before I call Zenith, I thought I would seek advise about where I can get

the best deal on one of these. I have another builder coming over this

afternoon to look ovr the situation! Any advise?



Joe in Oshkosh [b]

dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:20 am Post subject: Canopy Problem

No advice here, just a related question. Since I experienced a few small, short cracks that I had to stop drill and backfill, I am doubtful of how long my plexiglass canopy will go before I have to replace it. Does Todd's Canopies offer a Lexan canopy for the 601XL? Lexan is a lot easier to work with in my limited experience and is much more resistant to cracking and scratching. If Zenith had offered it as an option, I would have gone that route from the beginning.



Dred



---- Carlos Sa <carlossa52(at)gmail.com> wrote: 

 	  Quote: 	
		   Todd's canopies has been mentioned by a number of people...

 http://www.toddscanopies.com/

 

 Carlos

 CH601-HD, plans

601zv(at)ritternet.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:11 am Post subject: Canopy Problem

I just talked to Todd. He said his conopies are  much thicker and stronger. 60XL canopy is $340 + freight (estimated to Arkansas  at $140), and weighs about 2-1/2 pounds more than the ZAC canopy. He can make  one and have it on the way in a couple of days. Anyone know the current ZAC  canopy price?

 [quote]   ---

p.mulwitz(at)worldnet.att
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:41 am Post subject: Canopy Problem

Hi Ed,



I agree with you that Lexan (polycarbonate) plastic would be easier 

to form into a canopy than Plexiglas (acrylic).  Unfortunately, Lexan 

scratches very easily.  For use in optical situations like this, it 

is common practice to "Hard Coat" polycarbonate with 

polyurethane.  This is a process I have not found available for small 

runs like our canopies.  Without it, the canopy would quickly become 

unusable since you won't be able to see through all the scratches.



Paul

XL fuselage

At 09:19 AM 7/10/2007, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  No advice here, just a related question. Since I experienced a few 

small, short cracks that I had to stop drill and backfill, I am 

doubtful of how long my plexiglass canopy will go before I have to 

replace it. Does Todd's Canopies offer a Lexan canopy for the 601XL? 

Lexan is a lot easier to work with in my limited experience and is 

much more resistant to cracking and scratching. If Zenith had 

offered it as an option, I would have gone that route from the beginning.



Dred

Afterfxllc(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:42 am Post subject: Canopy Problem

When mine FELL from the straps dry rotting I replaced it and zeniths price  was 600 and change.... OUCH!!!

  

 Jeff



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

ccwacker(at)HOTMAIL.COM
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:47 am Post subject: Canopy Problem

I just bought one from Zenith, $525.00 plus shipping.



Chuck Wacker

601XL Quick Build

[quote]From: "Robin Bellach" <601zv(at)ritternet.com>

Reply-To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

To: <zenith-list(at)matronics.com>

Subject: Re: Canopy Problem

Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:06:31 -0500



I just talked to Todd. He said his conopies are much thicker and stronger. 

60XL canopy is $340 + freight (estimated to Arkansas at $140), and weighs 

about 2-1/2 pounds more than the ZAC canopy. He can make one and have it on 

the way in a couple of days. Anyone know the current ZAC canopy price?

   ---

larry(at)macsmachine.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:40 am Post subject: Canopy Problem

Hi Joe,

The cracked canopy may be used as a template for trimming and spotting 

holes and edges could it not?

Might for this reason be best to use a canopy from Zenith again.  You'd 

probably want to ask what grade of acrylic

plastic they're using as well or if they've gone to a more durable 

material recently.  Plastics keep changing and you

may have the opportunity to improve the available product.  Cost would 

be the lesser of concerns at this point I think.

During the process,

Remember to use small diameter hose segments around the screws when they 

go thru the plastic and manually break

all hole edges both sides with a relatively new countersink.  Don't 

over-tighten, etc.  Study the crack to determine what

caused it before starting over.  Hope you have better luck next round.  

I remember sweating bullets when I did mine.



Good luck,



Larry McFarland - 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com



Joe wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Guys,



 I have a big problem! My canopy developed a crack and spread too far 

 before I could drill a stop hole. It looks like I will have to buy 

 another canopy. Before I call Zenith, I thought I would seek advise 

 about where I can get the best deal on one of these. I have another 

 builder coming over this afternoon to look ovr the situation! Any advise?



 Joe in Oshkosh

dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:08 pm Post subject: Canopy Problem

When I built my ultralight, the kit came with a sheet of Lexan which I bent over the frame and trimmed to fit. That windshield is still in very decent condition despite residing in a dusty hanagr infested with birds which build nests 24/7 all summer long. 



The few scratches that have happened over the last four years have been where my gps and the corners of  the panel rub on the inside surface. I think they might be remedied with the micro mesh technique but since they aren't in the critical field of view, I haven't bothered. I don't think my sheet of Lexan had any special treatment so maybe it would be such a bad deal after all.



Ed



---- Paul Mulwitz <p.mulwitz(at)worldnet.att.net> wrote: 

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Hi Ed,

 

 I agree with you that Lexan (polycarbonate) plastic would be easier 

 to form into a canopy than Plexiglas (acrylic).  Unfortunately, Lexan 

 scratches very easily.  For use in optical situations like this, it 

 is common practice to "Hard Coat" polycarbonate with 

 polyurethane.  This is a process I have not found available for small 

 runs like our canopies.  Without it, the canopy would quickly become 

 unusable since you won't be able to see through all the scratches.

 

 Paul

 XL fuselage

planecrazydld(at)yahoo.co
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:16 am Post subject: Canopy Problem

..since these are thin wall free blown bubbles, it is unlikely that it would nest well. perhaps cutting all of it away except for the peripheral 6" band would allow it to be a template of reasonable accuracy?



LarryMcFarland <larry(at)macsmachine.com> wrote:[quote] --> Zenith-List message posted by: LarryMcFarland 



Hi Joe,

The cracked canopy may be used as a template for trimming and spotting 

holes and edges could it not?

Might for this reason be best to use a canopy from Zenith again.  You'd 

probably want to ask what grade of acrylic

plastic they're using as well or if they've gone to a more durable 

material recently.  Plastics keep changing and you

may have the opportunity to improve the available product.  Cost would 

be the lesser of concerns at this point I think.

During the  process,

Remember to use small diameter hose segments around the screws when they 

go thru the plastic and manually break

all hole edges both sides with a relatively new countersink.  Don't 

over-tighten, etc.  Study the crack to determine what

caused it before starting over.  Hope you have better luck next round.  

I remember sweating bullets when I did mine.



Good luck,



Larry McFarland - 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com



Joe wrote:

[quote] --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Joe" 



 Guys,



 I have a big problem! My canopy developed a crack and spread too far 

 before I could drill a stop hole. It looks like I will have to buy 

 another canopy. Before I call Zenith, I thought I would seek advise 

 about where I can get the best deal on one of these. I have another 

 builder coming over this afternoon to look ovr the situation! Any advise?



 Joe in       Luggage? GPS? Comic books? 

 Check out fitting [url=http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48249/*http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=graduation+gifts&cs=bz] gifts for grads[/url] at Yahoo! Search.  	  Quote: 	
		  [b]

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