Brake lines

[James]

Found some useful photos myself, in case anyone else is looking:
Battson and Blackrock have both posted photos from underneath their planes on thread number 21615 (you can just "search" these thread numbers, goes straight to it!)
This shows how this part of the brake line can be routed. Seems like having a 90 degree bend before the MLG swingarm is popular.

Because I won't have a bulkhead fitting on the aluminium under station B, I'll make up a 90 degree bracket and a P-clamp for support.

James

[svyolo]

I was looking for something else on a vendors website and came across, by accident, some brake reservours that mount to directly to the caliper. I remember Whee saying he used something similar but it didn't click then. It does now. 25 bucks each. For a dual brake system, you would still only need 2. Cuts down on brake lines/complexity. The only downside I see is you can't visually inspect the fluid level, but with fewer connections, there is less of a chance for leaking and checking the level becomes less important.

Especially since the brake lines move a lot with the rudder pedals, and take a bit of were and tear.

Anybody else use them?

[svyolo]

The part number is A-600.

[jaredyates]

I used a single firewall mounted reservoir and it has been working out great.

[whee]

Mine are still working good. I don't see need to check the fluid every flight but it isn't hard for me to unscrew the caps and check the fluid level when I have reason to.

[Battson]

Mine are still working good. I don't see need to check the fluid every flight but it isn't hard for me to unscrew the caps and check the fluid level when I have reason to.

I have been in the habit of checking every flight before takeoff and landing, by glancing at the clear plastic tube.
The other week I noticed one side had bled down to the caliper, no idea where the fluid went. Pumped it back up, pleased to find it before I went flying.

[whee]

I have been in the habit of checking every flight before takeoff and landing, by glancing at the clear plastic tube.
The other week I noticed one side had bled down to the caliper, no idea where the fluid went. Pumped it back up, pleased to find it before I went flying.

Not a bad habit for sure. My first airplane had cable brakes so I have very little experience with hydraulic brakes on an airplane. However, of my little bit of experience flying in friends airplanes and asking around in my small circle of aviation friends none of them have checking the brake fluid on their preflight/post flight checklists.

[svyolo]

I remember reading earlier in this post about what Whee used. It didn't click at the time why he did it. Simpler, fewer connections, 1 less firewall penetration. Probably lighter, and probably cheaper. One less thing on the firewall. I think I am going to throw in with Whee on this one.

At work I never checked brake fluid, only brake wear, either directly or with mechanical indicators. We did have either a brake pressure gauge, or light, to check when you set the parking brake. I may end up with a brake pressure light/sender.

I don't remember ever checking brakes before landing, but my single engine time was very long ago. If I need the brakes, it is probably a really good habit to get into before landing. Hopefully I will remember to put that into my habit patterns.

[BTAZ]

I used one something like this(https://www.ebay.com/itm/PROCNC-Moto...MAAOSwkB5b855f)

Has a site glass and pretty inexpensive.

Plenty of other styles to choose from if one searches for "Motorcycle brake reservoir".

[svyolo]

Good idea. Clutch reservoir might work as well. I have seen some pretty slick little ones on some smaller motorcycles.

[Nev]

Is firewall clearance an issue for cylinder mounted reservoirs ? It does sound very simple to do. Any other drawbacks besides ability to check fluid levels through a clear tube ? I’ve never checked fluid levels on any aircraft prior to landing etc, but always checked for brake pedal pressure. It probably takes on more significance in a STOL taildragger though. You wouldn’t want the first time you become aware of one brake low on fluid to be when the pedal goes to the floor on a short strip, with hard braking on the other side. I guess the only way to check levels on the cylinder mounted reservoir is to dip them ? Interesting discussion.

[svyolo]

The firewall mounted reservous that I already bought is black painted metal. You can't see it. I am redoing my rudder cables as we speak (post) and brakes I already started on. There is plenty of room for the A-600's. Not sure of the motorcycle ones but I have seen some pretty small plastic tanks on motorcycles. The A-600 have a 1/8 NPT fitting welded on, I don't see that on the motorcycle parts. I will give it a few days looking for different types.

The A-600 is 1 3/8" (35mm) in diameter 9 (round), and 2 3/8" (60mm) tall. Looks to be plenty of room, you might have to orient the cylinders one way or the other to avoid contact with the firewall station tubing.

[Bcone1381]

It seems to me like if a builder wanted to install the A-600 reservoir and get a fluid level indication, one could remove the threaded cap, install a fitting with a clear tube extending out the top of the cap. Maybe even connect the clear tube from one reservoir to the other. I think the system needs to breath though.... Where is the vent in my A-600?
Screen Shot 2020-11-02 at 6.49.41 PM.png

[geraldmorrissey]

No vents on A-600. Go to the Biplane Forum and search the subject.

[Mark Goldberg]

You can just drill a 1/16" hole in that red plug at the top. I have seen that on these reservoirs before. Mark

[jaredyates]

Here's a not-great photo of ours:

http://bearhawkblue.com/brass-grounding-tabs/img_0189/

It wouldn't need to be mounted to the firewall. It has a vent hole at the top, and 1/8 NPT on the bottom.
ACS part number 06-11225 for the reservoir only, or 06-11230 for the kit which includes tubing and fittings that I ended up not using.

[BTAZ]

Good idea. Clutch reservoir might work as well. I have seen some pretty slick little ones on some smaller motorcycles.

The one I used was all aluminum. IIRC, it had a 1/8 pipe thread for the outlet fitting. I actually had to plug the existing one and drill/tap a new outlet so the site glass was where I wanted it for the side of the firewall it was mounted on.

Far less work than making one and pretty inexpensive.

Definitely wouldn't go with a plastic one.

But each to their own.

[svyolo]

I am going to look for a few days in ATV/motorcycle/etc but the fittings are wrong for mounting into the 1/8 NPT brake cylinder. The A-600's are pretty cheap. If I wanted a sight glass I think you could cut a vertical slot in the front and back of them, and bond some plastic tubing over the whole thing to seal it. A flashlight should allow preflighting fluid level.

Declutters the firewall area, and reduces fittings and weight.

[Battson]

Is firewall clearance an issue for cylinder mounted reservoirs ? It does sound very simple to do. Any other drawbacks besides ability to check fluid levels through a clear tube ? I’ve never checked fluid levels on any aircraft prior to landing etc, but always checked for brake pedal pressure. It probably takes on more significance in a STOL taildragger though. You wouldn’t want the first time you become aware of one brake low on fluid to be when the pedal goes to the floor on a short strip, with hard braking on the other side. I guess the only way to check levels on the cylinder mounted reservoir is to dip them ? Interesting discussion.

I can't comment on reservoirs, however I can say my toe-brakes can all touch the firewall when you brake hard at full rudder lock. This is not an issue.

[whee]

It seems to me like if a builder wanted to install the A-600 reservoir and get a fluid level indication, one could remove the threaded cap, install a fitting with a clear tube extending out the top of the cap. Maybe even connect the clear tube from one reservoir to the other. I think the system needs to breath though.... Where is the vent in my A-600?
Screen Shot 2020-11-02 at 6.49.41 PM.png

The red plugs come with a small hole drilled in them; that’s the vent.

I can see several options for adding a sight gauge if you wanted one. Perhaps the easiest would be a short price of clear PVC pipe screwed in where the red plugs are. Then just fill the reservoirs through the pvc pipe until they are a certain height in the pipe. Then put a drilled cap on the end of the pipe.