May 09, 2021     Putting the panel back together - (4 hours)       Category: Avionics

Now that the dash is back in place with the defrost system and the forward fuselage piece put on the avionics can be reinstalled.

  Mar 23, 2021     Install the avionics & antenna cables - (15 hours)       Category: Avionics

With rack installed the avionics came next. The main wire bundles were pre-made and run through the aircraft. The comm and GPS antenna were then run. I added a tiered support through the center channel to support various items.. AOA, Pitot, and static on one level. Fuel lines bottom level, Wire bundles and antenna mid level going to the lower levels.

I had already wired the connectors to the landing/taxi, position/strobe lights, trim motors and servos. These were happily found to be of the correct length with only one connector miss-pinned. The wings were rolled around to check panel switches and pitot heat...I fabricated battery cables and ran power to the relays and mounted an aircraft ground on the firewall. A final check of the Garmin systems with software updates was completed

It was nice to have help in this important task

  Feb 11, 2021     Battery and start panel rack - (3 hours)       Category: Avionics

Got an EarthX battery which saves some weight. Also starting the initial fitting of the avionics rack.

  Jan 30, 2021     Install Auto Pilot Servos - (5 hours)       Category: Avionics

Installed the Garmin autopilot servos. The kit had too many LH thread eybolts (not enough RH!) so I ordered them online rather than wait for South Africa to ship. I also installed in the same area two missing support channels that were supposed to have been installed at the factory according to the plans.

The elevator servo and control rod is completely installed. I will finish the aileron connection to the control stick when the control stock is installed at a later time.

  Nov 28, 2020     ELT - (2 hours)       Category: Avionics

Mounted the ARTEX ELT under the rear seat. Most builders are mounting the rather long antenna under the baggage floor facing aft. The avionics guys and my neighbor IA are not keen on this mounting. I have an email to TAF to see where they have been mounting it.

The ARTEX installation guide said to mount the antenna vertically and be 36 inches from other powered antennas. I have a possible solution that my IA neighbor is ok with that I will run by my avionics vendor

  Nov 18, 2020     GMU 11 - (1 hour)       Category: Avionics

TAF has moved the position of the GMU 11 in the tail. The reasoning is that when the tunnel baggage compartment is used it may have had metal that interfered with the unit. I have been in discussions with the panel builders about this position and they think that i should slightly elevate the GMU11 on the new mount to give it better clearance from distortions from the rudder cables.

Stand by.

  Nov 06, 2020     Gather the wire bundles and inspect the Panel - (3 hours)       Category: Avionics

11/6/20

I have been making the connections from the tips through the wing tips and now that I have received the proper male connectors from my panel builder I need to mate to the installed wire bundles. I spent most of today inspecting the pre-built bundles and tracing to connectors. Some connectors were unmarked by the builder so I marked them. It seems I am missing a tail beacon wire connector and have a call in. Also, the manual that came has differences in the pin arrangement so that question on the list as well.

My most favorite tool has been the Milwaukee Rivet gun but my second favorite has been the Dymo label maker for shrink wrap wire.


8/17/2020

I received the panel and wire bundles a while ago and i am reaching a point in the build to start getting the electrics ready for install. I need a number of male connector ends for exterior lighting, trim motor, etc.

  Nov 02, 2020     Wiring - (7 hours)       Category: Avionics

I am just going to lump wiring into avionics since it all ends up at the panel and the Garmin system anyway.

I started adding the wire connectors using Deutsch brand sealed connectors. With the elevator trim. Motor -> Horizontal Stab->Fuselage tail section. The ultimately to cockpit trim control

  Jan 02, 2020     Deposit - (11.0 hours)       Category: Avionics

Research panel options and finalize configuration. A deposit was put for a Garmin G3X with 2 axis auto pilot. Additional item will be for 2 extra panel mounted PTT switches.