We finally started the final installation steps for the panel, starting with the antenna and AoA indicator atop the glareshield:
AoA indicator and GPS antenna on the glareshield
That antenna's cable cannot be easily trimmed, so I secured the excess cable to the top skin:
Excess GPS antenna cable, coiled up and secured behind the panel
I installed the G3X inserts and connected all the switches:
Left panel insert with all switch wires connected
I then cut the pitot and AoA tubes to length to connect to the GSU:
Pitot and AoA tubes connected to the PFD
The area behind it is pretty packed and hard to see, so by taking pictures and feeling the tubes with my hands, I could figure out what the tube was touching, and I slowly shortened it until it didn't touch anything anymore:
Pitot and AoA tubes running behind the PFD
I installed the IBBS battery permanently (but without connecting it just yet - too many connectors that take power from it are still loose):
TCW IBBS battery installed in place
I also connected the center console/armrest connectors, and in the process realized I trimmed the heat tee servo wire too short :/ so I made an extension for it to reach and connected it all::
Center console wiring, with the servo wire not reaching the controller
Center console wiring all connected, with an extension for the servo controller
Once the heat valve cables are secured to the firewall, I'll finish installing the rest of the panel.
In the meantime, I had a new version of the overhead console inserts laser-cut from 2024 aluminum, and we covered it (vacuum bagged) with carbon fiber, then did all the work of finishing it:
Overhead console inserts, after vacuum bagging with carbon fiber
Overhead console forward insert, still partially protected with plastic
Overhead console inserts after priming the top (hidden) side and edges
There's still a bit of finishing to do later, and I still haven't received the Clickbond dome nutplates to install on it (so we don't have any screw tips sticking up where the wiring is).
I also got back to firewall-forward wiring, starting with positioning the O2 sensor in place to know where its connector would sit (and thus being able to trim the cabin-side cable to length), then securing the top bundle to the coil pack mount:
O2 sensor and wiring held in place
FWF wiring secured to the coil pack mount
This also enabled me to trim the other end of the O2 sensor cable to size, and re-terminate it:
Spartan 3 AFR controller, with trimmed cable connected to it
Next we'll finish the overhead console inserts and install all the equipment there, actually install all the avionics in place, and continue the FWF wiring.
No comments:
Post a Comment