Bullflex coupling - electrical bond

Pye_End

Pye_End

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I have, several times, tried to bond one side of the coupling to the other using wire and crimp connectors. At best it has lasted a few months.

As a last resort I am looking at shaft brushes, although they are not cheap, and it will be a bit fiddly to fit.

Has anyone else successfully bonded across a Bullflex?
 
I have not bothered. When I used an R&D I used flat braided copper wire filled with solder at each end and then drilled for the coupling bolts. This worked quite well for a couple of seasons, but the flex eventually broke it down. I was never convinced it was necessary as my prop has a whopping anode on the end and the external anode erodes evenly. So did not bother making new ones when I fitted the Bullflex. Everything still seems Ok 5 years on.

The method would work, however and definitely better than a single wire.

Hope this helps
 
Unfortunately I do not have space for a shaft anode.

Where do you get braided copper from, and what sort of size do you use?

Did you use the solder to keep the ends together, or did you use a lot of solder to give you an equivalent to a washer unther the bolt head?

Is there a different material that stands up to the vibration and movement better?

Worth trying by the sounds of it.
 
My anode is on the back of the propeller, but as it is one of those very expensive feathering ones it is designed to take it - but you may find one that goes on the lock nut.

As to the copper braid, they were made up by a mate and I think it came from an electrical wholesaler and is used for earthing. Seem to remember it being about 15-20mm wide. And, yes the idea of the solder was to make a washer for the bolt/nut. It also had the advantage that it could be moulded to shape across the coupling to avoid upsetting balance - not that I think it would be a serious issue.

Hope this helps
 
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