Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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CH 750 skylight failure
Hello folks the skylight on my CH750 failed the other day whereby the rivets holding the skylight trim to the windshield and into the frame tube failed and the whole skylight broke away from the tube. It appears the original builder had used soft rivets (only 7) to attach the skylight front trim to the frame tube. I'm now reinstalling a new skylight and securing to the frame tube using SS metal screws (with loctite). My question is I think I would like to add more screws ..say another scow in between the 7 holes which would make 13. Is this overkill. Could this over stress the frame tube?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David Fryday on
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Using #8 SS metal screws
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Permalink Reply by James H Skaggs on
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Skytek makes a kit for this. I am installing one now on my 701. It attaches the front windshield and top skylight all between two strong formed trim pieces. Also comes with a shim, spacer, and rear skylight trim for a better contour. I had to shorten the pieces because they were actually made for the 750 but it looks like it's going to be solid when I'm finished. Does not come with screws. You will have to evaluate the size screws you need based on whatever the original builder did. I wasn't to keen on just using rivets. I may even come up with something for the sides of the skylight as well.
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Thanks James. I'm aware of Skytek. Yes agree...definitely do not use rivets.
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Permalink Reply by Michael radtke on
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hi david,
be very careful using locktite on plexi or lexan, can ruin or cause cracks.
maybe some epoxy better
good luck, let us know how it goes.
did the top skylite crack or rip away?
michael.
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Thanks Michael. Yes, I understand the concern re: loctite. Apparently they make loctite 425 or Dap thread stopper that is compatible with lexan, plexi.
The skylight rivets into the frame failed and the entire skylight ripped away from the frame while taking off about 100 ft off the ground!!! I would not have put rivets into the frame for sure.
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Permalink Reply by John Burns on
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VibraTite makes a great product for fasteners that are near plastics like our windows. It does not have any Chemicals that will damage plexiglass or Lexan. As Michael said you should avoid the traditional Loctite products that contain Cyanoacrylate around plastics especially optical plastics.
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