VDO sumlog

[Thad Van Gilder]

I just found a source for brand new old stock heads, only missing the wierd prop through hull.

the question is, where might I get a old messed up through hull/ sender, that I can cast in bronze to use with the new gauge.

The wire is easy to replace, but I want to find an old through hull to copy in everdur.

any ideas?

-Thad

[StevenBauer]

I think there's one in my hull that I'm not using. :) You mean the through hull fitting that takes the little wheel, right?


Steven

[Thad Van Gilder]

Steven,

The sumlog sender isn't like the new throughhull senders. They are white plastic and look almost like mini outboard lower units. They are connected via a spinning wire to the gauge, like the old style speedometers in cars.

-Thad

[Penokee]

I have one of those, and although it's still a working unit, the sender is off the boat right now (lower Chesapeake). What would you need exactly?

[Thad Van Gilder]

Well, Im hoping to find the sender part to use as a pattern, and a prop with at least one blade left to use as a pattern.

I was thinking casting the sender part out of bronze and the prop out of glass filled nylon or maybe glass filled polyester.

A friend wants one in aluminum, too.

Maybe making a few of them and selling them quietly to friends, although I don't know how copyright infringement works on something that was invented 55 years ago.

-Thad

[Penokee]

Thad,

I guess I don't know enough about the process to know whether your making a pattern would destroy the (my) working propeller (?).

Meanwhile, I may have a lead on old-stock new propellers; I'm checking on it and will get back to you in this thread.

While we're on the topic, I've been wondering about the safety in having one of these in the boat. At least on mine, there is no through-hull valve at all - it's just a black plastic/rubber hose that comes in through a hole in the hull (~5/8" diameter) and in which the metal cable runs. Wait... now that I say that, I think that the propeller has a fitting that comes through the hull and the black hose clamps onto that. But still, that clamped hose is well below the waterline, and it didn't seem all that wonderfully secure to me. I was considering eliminating it, although I like the concept and would prefer to keep it. I just don't want a hole in the hull that I have to lie awake worrying about.

What are your thoughts on it, if you've had a look at one?

Pen

[Thad Van Gilder]

I think the idea is great, but the plastic sender is questionable... although I have never seen one break.

Pen, if the old stock props turn out to be a solid deal, let me know.... I'l share where I found a whole mess of the new gauges.

I wouldn't break the old housing, by the way, I would cast a silicone mold around it, and use the silicone mold to make waxes to use.

-Thad

[Penokee]

Well, I got a return e-mail from the place that I'd heard carried parts, but they said that all they have left are the mechanical drive cables.

I have the whole thing, and as far as I know it was working before removal (I'm not 100% sure, but reasonably so). I won't be using it again right away, and if your using the parts won't damage them, I'd be happy to share them with you for mold-making. I might even like to have some new, improved parts :) I think you can contact me through private message from the board here, right?

I've wondered what kind of drag you get from the prop, since it protrudes as it does. Not that I'm a racer - I was just curious.

I don't have photos with me here at work, but I'll try to post one later so people can see the thing.

Pen

[DuncanvdH]

I just installed such a log in my boat. The white, low speed, propellors are no longer available, the green, high speed, ones are. This is exceptional as the majority of old VDO parts are still available. But these props are damaged easily hauling the boat out.

I think there would be some market for these props. Is the material you are going to use also a little flexible? The fins of the prop are really thin.

And yes you are in trouble if the mantle of the cable ruptures, as this will 'slowly' flood the boat :-(

Old drives are offered regularly second hand here for 20-50$.

The secret to keeping the display working is in not allowing any compression in the drive cable, so a very exact match between the inner and outer cable length. Otherwise a specific bearing wears out inside the display.
(What I have been told by a VDO repair shop)

[Thad Van Gilder]

hmmm. Thats a good thing to keep in mind... maybe the cable could be replaced by something like a low friction teleflex cable...

-Thad