Jul 14, 2022     New AC Wiring Schematic       Category: Air Conditioning

Luiz was kind enough to send an updated schematic for the AC. There are a few differences that helped me understand the system. Much of it is in Portuguese so I spent some time translating it and making notes. There are still a few wires and connections that aren't labeled or mislabeled that I had to identify and update.

  Jul 07, 2022     AC Wiring       Category: Air Conditioning

Starting to figure out the schematic coding for the various wires and connectors. I think... The wire bundles are fairly well laid out but locating the labeled wires and connectors in the schematics is a little difficult. I find that adding my own labels really helps. I think A - goes to the Console. B - goes to the back of the Evaporator/Blower. C - Power Supply. 67A and 67B are faston's to the Thermostat. From the schematics it looks like it doesn't matter what side of the Thermostat terminals are connected to. TA was to the Temperature Sensor. 67 and 67A use a unique plug connector to the Pressure Switch. The male side of the B plug needs work. The pinout in the B connector doesn't match the wiring diagram. The male side of the B connector has V1,V2, V3 and 0 coming out of the blower resistor inside the blower box. It also looks like a re-circulation servo on the rear bottom of the blower box with two wires labeled MR+ and MR-. I cannot locate these on the schematics. The female side of the B connector has V1,V2, V3 and 0 but has RA+ and RA-. I can't find these on the schematic either. I've reached out to Luiz at SFSA for guidance.

  Jun 30, 2022     SCAT Tubes and Hoses       Category: Air Conditioning

Connected the SCAT tubes for the Heater System and the AC Vents. New learning experience... Had to learn techniques of how to install SCAT tubes by cutting out a bit of the wire to allow it to fit over the vent flanges. I also need to ask about interference of the SCAT tubes and the rudder peddle center horns.

  Jun 29, 2022     FWD NACA Vents       Category: Air Conditioning

Started to work on the FWD NACA Vents. The SFSA NACA Vent template was a perfect match for the Van's vent. I'm going to use Chem Seal adhesive along with pulled rivets to attach the vents. Today I drilled the rivet holes and clecoed the vents in place. I need to make a face plate with a 2 1/8" hole for the eyeball vent. I painted them with SEM texture paint. It helps hide some imperfections in the plastic surface. I added an insect screen inside the vent. Using RV Vent Cover Screens and trimmed to fit inside the bowl of the vent worked very well.

  May 23, 2022     A/C Continuted... NACA Vents       Category: Air Conditioning

Cut the holes for the NACA vents today. Drilled the corners and then used a Dremel to make the cuts. Finished with a file and deburring tool. It's just a little nerve wracking to cut a hole in the side of the airplane. After discussing with another builder how to attach the plastic NACA vent scoops, I decided to use Proseal adhesive and Pulled Rivets to secure the scoops in place. I used the template to mark and drill the rivet holes. Seemed to work fairly well. Waiting for the Proseal to arrive... Since I'm doing the Aft NACA vents I'll attach the Fwd Vents at the same time.

  May 19, 2022     A/C Continuted...       Category: Air Conditioning

Started to route the A/C hoses. Had to drill some holes in the fuselage bulkheads to allow the hose to pass through. Before connecting the hose I drilled the Battery Vent hole in the bottom of the fuselage and attached the drain nipple. I'm going to have to study the hose routing more in the tunnel area. I may have to reach out to Luiz again. I also hung the A/C Blower relays on the Blower Deck mount. looks like there are some molex connectors for the wire bundle.

  May 16, 2022     A/C Continuted...       Category: Air Conditioning

Riveted the drain into place today. Used the CS4-4 pulled rivets that were supplied with the SFSA kit. I counter sunk the skin side of the drain and dimpled the fuselage skin to accept the flush rivets. Also riveted the top end of the F-1028 BAGGAGE BULKHEAD CHANNEL to the F-1006D FUSELAGE BULKHEAD. This is because a hose from the A/C will be routed through a lightening hole on the F-1028 Bulkhead Channel. I'm going to have to think about the bottom rivets on the channel piece. I may need some help... Then I trimmed the Tunnel Hose Templates to get ready to drill the holes for the A/C Hoses.

  May 14, 2022     A/C Blower Box Installation       Category: Air Conditioning

Installed the A/C Blower Box. Still waiting for word from SFSA on the Blower wiring, but as far as I can tell it's correct. The rack for the Blower Box rests on the longeron ridge and clamps down using a cross bar. The final position of the box can be adjusted fore and aft as well as up and down to align with the ducting. The dryer was also mounted and a drain hole in the bottom of the fuselage. Still using Google Translate to help identify parts.

  May 13, 2022     A/C Blower Installation       Category: Air Conditioning

I figured it was time to start the Air Conditioning installation. I downloaded the Blower Installation instructions from the SFSA Google Drive website and printed them. The first step is to remove the Blower from the Air Box to install the wires. I used Google Translate photo function to translate from Portuguese to English and identify the different wire harness bags. It really seems to help. It appears that I have the 4-speed motor. Unfortunately the photos in the instructions only illustrate the 3-speed blower. I reached out to SFSA asking for assistance and Luiz replied saying I had it correct. Yay!

  Jun 28, 2021     Airconditioning and Interior Delivery       Category: Air Conditioning

Ordered and received the Air Conditioning and Interior kits from South Florida Sport Aviation. Really nice kits and Eliane was a joy to work with. However, the shipping company they used left quite a bit to be desired. They used R+L Carriers. I will do my best to avoid them in the future. After my inventory, I believe all the parts made it and only some slight damage to the fiberglass overhead panel. The good news is that I'm quite happy with the products from SFSA. They are produced in Brazil not far from Sao Paulo by Flyer Industria Aeronautica who has been building RV's under license since 1983. Word has it that Van's will soon be using them as another source for their QB components in addition to their associates in the Philippines to help mitigate supply chain issues. All the documentation from SFSA is downloaded. The instructions are a little vague as far as I can tell so far. But there are others nearby that have installed the same A/C, so I hope I have some local resources.