Trailblazer 280NT Preventive Maintenance?

[Aeronca41]

Hello; I've been lurking here for some time and being amazed by all the things you guys know! Grew up in my dad's small welding business, but have been in the world of computers for 45+ yrs. Missed welding all that time. Recently bought an almost new (197 hours) TB 280NT S/N LB022511, Onan P220. Besides the usual stuff in the manual, anything I should do in the way of prev maint? I know machines often have common problems that can be prevented with a little extra care. Any guidance greatly appreciated!

[old jupiter]

First you have to show us a photo of your Aeronca

[H80N]

First you have to show us a photo of your Aeronca

Yes Please...

I had an Aeronca "K" basket case many years ago...

[Aeronca41]

First you have to show us a photo of your Aeronca

Sure wish I could-it's a pile of parts on the second floor of my garage/shop. It's a 1941 O-58B, also called L-3B. My dad was in the middle of a total restoration when he got cancer and was gone in 7 months. Too many years under a hood starting in the 50's before anyone worried about ventilation or respirators. He lived and breathed welding and airplanes. I will see if my Mom might have a picture of it before the tear down and post if she does.

[Aeronca41]

Yes Please...

I had an Aeronca "K" basket case many years ago...

whatever became of the "K"? Those were really slick (to look at, if not aerodynamically). Have only ever seen one in real life.

[H80N]

whatever became of the "K"? Those were really slick (to look at, if not aerodynamically). Have only ever seen one in real life.

I had bought it from Ralph Borden in Ramona, Ca about 1980....

was unable to dedicate the time and money it required... a fella out at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, Ca bugged me till I sold it to him... do not know if he ever finished it...

You are right... it was a very cool plane... like a small Chief...

Dual yoke controls... oleo strut gear... 37inch wide cabin...canvas sling seat..

[Aeronca41]

Hello; I've been lurking here for some time and being amazed by all the things you guys know! Grew up in my dad's small welding business, but have been in the world of computers for 45+ yrs. Missed welding all that time. Recently bought an almost new (197 hours) TB 280NT S/N LB022511, Onan P220. Besides the usual stuff in the manual, anything I should do in the way of prev maint? I know machines often have common problems that can be prevented with a little extra care. Any guidance greatly appreciated!

I should add that I've already found (and followed) Cruizer's advice on oil with zinc for the Onan-Quaker State Defy.

[Aeronca41]

I had bought it from Ralph Borden in Ramona, Ca about 1980....

was unable to dedicate the time and money it required... a fella out at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, Ca bugged me till I sold it to him... do not know if he ever finished it...

You are right... it was a very cool plane... like a small Chief...

Dual yoke controls... oleo strut gear... 37inch wide cabin...canvas sling seat..

Yes-the one I saw was at the National Aeronca Association fly-in at Middletown OH some years ago. As you say, so much comes down to time and money...I plan to retire in the spring and hope I have saved enough to put the Aeronca back together once I have time. Also blew savings on a Dynasty 200DX in anticipation of learning to TIG once I have the time. Just something I've always wanted to do, and if the Aeronca gets done and I have any $ left I might try a home built. Moving from O-A to TIG for 4130 tubing entices me.

[H80N]

Yes-the one I saw was at the National Aeronca Association fly-in at Middletown OH some years ago. As you say, so much comes down to time and money...I plan to retire in the spring and hope I have saved enough to put the Aeronca back together once I have time. Also blew savings on a Dynasty 200DX in anticipation of learning to TIG once I have the time. Just something I've always wanted to do, and if the Aeronca gets done and I have any $ left I might try a home built. Moving from O-A to TIG for 4130 tubing entices me.

You will LOVE the Dynasty..

what part of the country are you in??

we are in ne pa... near the ny border...

[H80N]

You might enjoy this one...

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?28590-Construction-of-a-Light-Aircraft

[Aeronca41]

You will LOVE the Dynasty..

what part of the country are you in??

we are in ne pa... near the ny border...

Not far-upstate NY just north of the NE PA border

[H80N]

Not far-upstate NY just north of the NE PA border

Could be close...

sent you a PM...

[duaneb55]

I should add that I've already found (and followed) Cruizer's advice on oil with zinc for the Onan-Quaker State Defy.

And never, ever, ever jump start a Trailblazer if the battery goes dead. We've lost count of the number of units reported here and on other forums that have experienced one or more board failures immediately following jump starting.

[Aeronca41]

And never, ever, ever jump start a Trailblazer if the battery goes dead. We've lost count of the number of units reported here and on other forums that have experienced one or more board failures immediately following jump starting.

Thanks a million--not something I would have known or thought about.

Anything else come to mind? Any electrolytic caps inside that should be replaced on an older machine like this--I've seen many explode on other computer and avionics systems. (I'm an ....old.... TV [back when you could fix 'em]-computer-avionics-flight simulator component-level repair guy very comfortable with meters, scopes, logic analyzers, etc. and board repairs.) Any common loose connections to tighten? Places where the design results in bad solder joints on boards over time due to overheating? I can poke around and look for things that are obvious, but in my experience every electrical/electronic device has common problems associated with a particular model, and when you work in the field, you see a lot of similar issues. That's what I'm trying to seek out and prevent problems with.

Thanks!!

[Aeronca41]

You might enjoy this one...

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?28590-Construction-of-a-Light-Aircraft

Thank you! Got to watch part of it so far; need to finish it later. They make welding those cluster joints in the 4130 look like there is just nothing to it. Really appreciate the link.