Ez noselift retrofit for a Long Ez

[F-PCGG]

I built my Long Ez 20 years ago and I now want install the eznoselift Jack Wilhelmson device.
I tried to contact Jack last week through  the Eznoselift web site but I did ont get any answer.
Could some of you tell me how to get in touch with Jack or where I can order his lifting device?


Second question:
Installation of the basic system with manuel extension back up will be difficult due to interference with already installed components.
Eaziest way is to install the NL1-12E or the NL1-12EHP. In that case I have not a clear view of the efficiency of the electrical back up in case of the nose lift engine failure.
Could some of you give some you give some feedback?
Thank you.

Gérard

[srothert]

Gerard,
I replaced the manual retract system on my Long-Ez with one of Jack's, about a year ago.  He was pretty responsive via email to my pre-purchase questions as well as my questions during the installation.  Perhaps he is on 'holiday'.

I did not buy the manual backup option.  I had been told by other builders that it takes a lot of turns (that require a lot of force) to manually extend the gear.

Steve Rothert
Albuquerque, NM  USA

[F-PCGG]

Steve,
Thank you for your feedback, I Will wait and write again to Jack of necessary.
Did you installed the NL1-12E or the NL1-12EHP?
Gerard
Toulouse France

[dsharvey@kaballero.com]

I too fited the Wilhelmson noselift to my EZ a year ago. I found Jack responsive on the phone: (843) 884 5061.
He overnighted a micro-switch to me. One thing we had a problem with was the coloring of the wires in the harness.One of them was wrong, if I remember.

I chose the manual system. Yes it is quite hard to lower the nose undercarriage and yes it takes a lot of turns. It's not impossible if you get a good ratcheting wrench. You can only "swing" the wrench through about a 90 degree arc, so it takes about 120 of these! One advantage of the manual is that the revolving "stub" is a secondary indicator of the thing working! Also, I put a ten amp circuit breaker on the gear motor. So far everything is working fine.

Regards,

Dave Harvey

[srothert]

Gerard,
I do not remember the model number.  I think the invoice is at the airport and I will check.  I do remember that it was the "base model" and I did not order the manual extension option, nor the automatic extension option.  It did come with a smaller battery for emergency extension, if the main aircraft battery had been run down.

Hope this helps.
Steve Rothert
Albuquerque, NM

[F-PCGG]

Steve and Dave,
Difficult for me to install the manual system without heavy modifications of the instrumnent panel area.
Steve,
Your system is likely the basic full electric one (NL1-12E).
Is it able to maintain your loaded A/C with the nose gear stopped, on ground,  in an intermediate position?
Gérard
Long Ez O-320 D2A
Toulouse France.

[dsharvey@kaballero.com]

Yes it is. I store it in the hangar at an intermediate position - one that allows me to hop in and out easily. I push it backwards by just lifting the nosewheel off the ground if it swivels too much. It can be pulled forward easily. When I have the engine started and prior to taxi I "lower" the undercarriage to fully extended position. I found this makes taxying a lot easier. It also allows much better shock absorption.

The only thing I still forget is to lower the nose in the hangar before shutting down the engine (I can taxi directly into my hangar). It's silly I know but I worry I am using up the battery if I run the nosewheel mechanism without the alternator feeding power to the aircraft!

regards, Dave Harvey

[F-PCGG]

Thank you Steve & Dave,

I now know which Eznoselift I Will installed on my Long!
Jack contacted me, in fact my first Email arrived in his spam box!
Now I can procede.
Thank again.
Should you visit Europe, come and see me, you are wellcome!

Gérard