What pull-pull cable do you use - kevlar/aramide or steel?

[rcflyer]

Hi guys, what type of pull-pull cable do you prefer to use - kevlar/aramide or steel? What have your experience been with both? Thanks for the inputs.

[ben_beyer]

I use Kevlar and I really like the ones you get from Don's Hobby Shop:

http://www.donshobbyshop.com/

[AJT]

Same here Ben, thats where I get them from..

[rcflyer]

Ben or AJT, could you post a close up photo of what the cable from Don's look like? Is it braided and coated? Thanks

[KIM]

i use kevlar on all my pull pull stuff

[zx32tt]

I use coated steel cable. Usually 80# leader material available from fishing shops. Be sure to use the correct crimps.
zx32tt

[cjcyclesrc]

After breaking three sets of TBM Kevlar, I switched to fishing leader and no problems since. I use American Fishing Wire 90# Knottable Nylon Coated on 50cc planes and 135# Black Nylon Coated on larger planes. The Knottable can be used with Air wild connectors just pull it through and tie a knot and pull it into the connector. I prefer to use a set of SWB adjusters at the servo and a 4-40 eyebolt at the rear and AFW crimps. I picked up both from Cabela's.

[RCAddiction]

The Kevlar from Don's Hobby is black PVC coated and is available as a complete "kit" as shown in their photo. I have purchased just the cable from them in 10' lengths, etc.

The coated Kevlar is also available as Kev-Cord from Aerospace Composites.

http://www.acp-composites.com/acp-cord.htm

[RCAddiction]

	Quote: Originally Posted by cjcyclesrc
	After breaking three sets of TBM Kevlar

I am not surprised that you had problems with the TBM Kevlar. It's plain, uncoated cable and very sensitive to abrasion (rubbing over each other if they cross, or where they exit the fuselage) and also can fail at the crimps. I've not had any failures with the PVC coated Kevlar cable.

I recall that the main advantage of the Kevlar over the coated steel wire was primarily that it reduced interfererece with 72mhz radios where the antennas were running down the back of the fuselage. If you are running 2.4, Kevlar may not have any advantages.

[cjcyclesrc]

	Quote: Originally Posted by RCAddiction
	I am not surprised that you had problems with the TBM Kevlar. It's plain, uncoated cable and very sensitive to abrasion (rubbing over each other if they cross, or where they exit the fuselage) and also can fail at the crimps. I've not had any failures with the PVC coated Kevlar cable. I recall that the main advantage of the Kevlar over the coated steel wire was primarily that it reduced interfererece with 72mhz radios where the antennas were running down the back of the fuselage. If you are running 2.4, Kevlar may not have any advantages.

The last set that broke about an inch from an airwild connector where nothing could touch it. It seemed that the CA had wicked from the knot in the Airwild connector and it broke at the end of where it was hardened. The lines were coming apart in three or four places. They were nearly wore in two where they crossed. I used heat shrink on the last foot where they might come in contact with the fuse. I'm using 2.4 so I didn't see any reason to keep fighting with the Kevlar or try the coated Kevlar. This fishing leader is made for toothy fish like King Mackerel and Shark. The package advertises Near 0% Stretch and Abrasion Resistant. I put it in the same plane same connectors adjusted it when I installed it and haven't had to touch it again.

[Zee]

I just wonder, I have been using coated steel cable on rudder and RX antena running near by in fuselage for 20 years. I have never had radio problems due to steel cables.
Zee

[RCAddiction]

Apparently, the Kevlar helped solved interference problems for some folks, esp with gas engines and tail mounted servos. I'd doubt that everyone experienced a problem, and I've got gas planes on 72 mhz with steel and others with Kevlar cables. None have been a problem for me. Honestly it's been some time since I've read much about it. You'd probably have to look up older threads on this or other forums to read more about it. Not that long ago, people had to resort to using ferrite cores and twisted servo leads to the tail servos to address interference issues as well!

[rcflyer]

Hi rcaddiction, is the kevlar diameter 0.038" or 0.058"? Thanks again

[octanehuffer]

I am having an interference issue with one of my planes. 72 mHz, PCM. After 2 years of constant flying, it showed up one day last month. I moved the antenna to the outside of the fuse, and the throttle no longer is getting hit by failsafe. Last night, I gave full right ail, and by the time the stick made it to full deflect, the ailerons went. I am using steels cables, and the elevator servos are of course in the tail. For the last two years the antenna was running right above the cables and sometimes the end would dangle on them. Still never had a problem until last month. 2.4 is coming soon, but I might try the kevlar.

[KrisW]

I use CF rods. . .040-.067" depending on the plane. Super stiff. . super rigid, no stretching or creeping, and do not fray or get tangled, very inexpensive.