Instruments and Systems: Install and Wiring

 

 

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August  2008: (15.0 hrs.) 

Because I have a sliding canopy, access behind the panel will somewhat limited once the top skin and wind screen are on.  Some builders have reported good results installing access panels in the top skin.  With all the wiring I have behind the panel related to the dual busses and FADEC system, I definitely am going to make some access panels.

 

Here I have laid out and made the first cuts for the access panels.  I decided to give my router a try at cutting the opening.  I worked great!
Here are the opening after routing and final cleanup with the ScotchBrite wheel on my die-grinder.

 

the next thing I did was make doubler plates and rivet them on (sorry, no pictures)
I have opted to go with fiberglass access panels in this location.   This allows me to mount my GPS and weather antennas under the panels.

 

Here I have maid my initial lay-ups right on the skin.
The next day, I applied some SuperFil to fill in any voids
Max was out visiting for the week and I talked him into making some paper patterns of the back of the firewall.  These patterns where then used to cut the sound deadoning material to size.  Thanks to Max for spending the time making the templates--- not an easy feat given all the wires and plumbing in the way.

 

Here is the material installed.
September 19-21  2008: (2.0 hrs.) 

I decided that I would add XM weather to my EFIS systems and so began preparing for that installation.  Because the XM weather receiver connects to my dual EFIS screens via ethernet, I need to install an Ethernet hub to allow the 3-way communication.

 

Here I have installed a Linksys SD 205 behind the co-pilot panel on the canopy deck rail.  I also ran an extra power run for the XM weather receiver (which I don't have yet).  It will get installed under the top skin access panels once I get it.

 
Nov 1 - 9   2008: (8.0 hrs.) 

Installed the nut-plates in the doubler plates for my front top skin access covers.

 
Painted the underside of the glare shield a hammered black finishing.

 

Sealed the access panel area using a liberal coat of high temp RTV
I decided the fiberglass access panels I made earlier were crap.  They had some air pockets and probably too much resin because they were heavy.

I did some lay ups of 5 layers of 8 oz bi-direction cloth and made sure I squeegeed out any excess epoxy.  Once these were dry, I used my old access covers as a template for how to trim the new covers.  After a bit of trimming and sanding the covers were done.  Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the completed covers.
Did a little miscellaneous securing of wires behind the panel, and then took a bunch of pictures of everything before I riveted the top skin on. 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   

 

 

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