Dec 04, 2021     Finished wiring front panel - (3 hours)       Category: Electrical

Just like the previous few days, I replaced all the remaining wiring and connectors in the front instrument panel.

  Dec 03, 2021     Created one new wiring harness for front panel. - (2.5 hours)       Category: Electrical

Just like yesterday, I replaced existing wiring with new.

  Dec 02, 2021     Wiring - (2.5 hours)       Category: Electrical

Ran trim wiring through fuselage up to panel. Reused original wire labels, including hand written masking tape labels, where possible. Crimped spade connectors to end of trim wiring.

Replaced wiring on control stick wiring to Jeager connector. Reused original wire labels here as well.

  Dec 01, 2021     Trim Servo wiring - (2.5 hours)       Category: Electrical

Replaced wiring for elevator trim servo. Completed the cable between the connector and the servo itself. Reused the original numbered sleeves and connectors. Cleaned and reused the original spiral wrap in its original position.

Completed the tail end of the servo wiring and attached the plug to the fuselage.

Double and triple checked the connections and the circuitry. All good.

I should also mention that I recently received an e-mail from a Dalotel enthusiast in Poland who's building a 1/3 scale model of the plane. Hello Arkadiusz. I've been fortunate enough to "meet" Dalotel enthusiasts from all over the world through this site. I know of many enthusiasts from France, Austria, Poland, Brazil, USA, and Canada. If you've been following the build and I haven't heard from you directly, Hello.

  Oct 29, 2021     Electrical review - (2 hours) Category: Electrical

Spent more time reviewing, tracing, and trying to sort out the electrical system. Made rough sketches of the wiring as I went.

  Oct 28, 2021     Retract Motor Review - (1 hour) Category: Electrical

Took the retract motor to a DC motor specialist. I didn't take any pictures but I should have. His shop was like stepping back in time. He had shelves and shelves of old motors and components. He tested the windings and the armature of the motor. He tested a few other things and he thinks the motor is in good condition. His comment was it's a very old design. I have to figure out the power to the motor yet. There are 4 connections on the motor. Two are 12 VDC and two come from a shunt. I have to sort out the rest of the electrical system on the plane. See pictures from Oct 23rd.

  Oct 26, 2021     Continued reviewing wiring - (4 hours)       Category: Electrical

Continued tracing and reviewing wiring. Took a couple of the Jeager connectors apart and they looked fine inside. I won't clean off the connector until I'm taking it apart for reuse with the new wiring. Have almost finished identifying sizes and lengths of wire required. It will be a big order from A/C Spruce.

Spent some time with the fuel tank. The windscreen rested on the upper skin of the fuel tank. The windscreen had a rubber gasket on its lower edge that rubbed a mark on the fuel tank. This mark allowed me to make a paper template to replicate where the lower edge of the windscreen rests on the tank. Removed the plastic edging that is riveted on the end of the tank as part of the glare shield. This needed to come off until the plane is covered. The edging fits over the fabric.
Did a thorough surface cleaning of the tank to remove some of the pitting and oxidation. Looking to steam clean it tomorrow.

Brakes. Yeah, they're still in the works. Wanted to see how they may fit as toe brakes. Still not decided. See attached pictures. Hardly any room for all the pieces.

  Oct 23, 2021     More wiring and electrical - (3.5 hours)       Category: Electrical

Continued inspecting and tracing the wiring. While reviewing the wiring, encountered some wiring that ran ahead of the firewall. Looking at it I was able to determine the original location of a few more pieces on the firewall.

Tested the original starter solenoid. After 40 years of no use, it still works perfectly. It was covered in grease and dirt and grime so I spent some time to clean it up. It won't make it work any better, but it looks nice now.

Pulled some of the Jeager connectors apart and traced the wiring. Cleaned the connectors for reuse.

  Oct 22, 2021     Elevator trim wiring - (1 hour)       Category: Electrical

Inspected and traced the wiring for the elevator trim servo. The wiring is in two sections. The first section runs from the cockpit back to the tail where the electrical connector is to be mounted to the frame. The second section plugs into that connector and then runs to the trim servo in the elevator.

Tested the wiring and all connections and although they're 50 years old, they still work. I'm going to replace all the wiring however so I wanted to trace it all and ensure I understood the connectors.

Opened the connectors and cleaned out the silicone potting material that was used originally. Cleaned up all the pieces and once I get some new wire, I'll rebuild the electrical bundles.