rangermb Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 OK, so the J I just bought has an inflatable door seal. Great. but it doesn't have any instructions. I know, pump it up to seal it and turn the knob to deflate. My question is when to do it. I would assume pumping it on the ground will result in over pressurizing of the seal as altitude is gained (enough to damage the seal or door frame?). Is this one more thing to futz with as I climb and decend? Any non-political pointers out there? Mike Quote
jetdriven Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 Nope. Inflate it on the ground, deflate before exiting the aircraft. Quote
David Mazer Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 I find I have to pump mine up again after I climb. There must be a leak but I haven't been able to find it. One clarification to Byron's comment, mine requires that it be deflated prior to opening the door. Quote
KSMooniac Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 I inflate after closing the door, and periodically check/pump it up more in flight when I have nothing better to do. Deflate before opening. My seal was ripped in a couple of places when I got the plane, so it didn't pump up obviously. I thought I would just order a new one, but they are hundreds of dollars and the manufacturer suggested I try patching it first since I essentially had nothing to lose. I followed their instructions and used a specific clear silicone (GE #330 IIRC, but could verify later) after cleaning with MEK. I also ended up cutting the seal where there were several tears, and then spliced it back together using some RC airplane fuel hose as a stent along with the silicone. It has worked for several years since. Quote
rangermb Posted January 19, 2012 Author Report Posted January 19, 2012 So I don't have to worry about it swelling too much when I get to 9000'? Quote
Piloto Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 Save your money on expensive seals. I have been using these for over 20 years with better reults than factory seals. You may need to replace them every five years at a cost of $4.50 at Home Depot. José Quote
Ned Gravel Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 Jose: That is what I use too. Quote
M016576 Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 Quote: Piloto Save your money on expensive seals. I have been using these for over 20 years with better reults than factory seals. You may need to replace them every five years at a cost of $4.50 at Home Depot. José Quote
tradin1 Posted January 25, 2012 Report Posted January 25, 2012 Quote: Piloto Save your money on expensive seals. I have been using these for over 20 years with better reults than factory seals. You may need to replace them every five years at a cost of $4.50 at Home Depot. José great idea! Quote
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