Basic Panel Shape /Layout & Throttle Assy
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 6:41 pm
The Throttle assembly is really nice (~$15 from Aircraft Spruce). As delivered, it has a rather heavy ratchet feel but a few turns of the center screw and the ratcheting can be adjusted to your preference for holding in flight.
The two controlling factors on my panel layout ... max width (~22.5") and I need at least 7" of height for an 8" span to mount my iPad 6 Mini (8x6).
I sketched it out in Visio and plotted the end curves; then transferred the result to the sheet provided by Chris in the kit.
I used the 4 lower mounting tabs to install two short lengths of 3/4" hinge so that I can fold the panel down to access the wiring on the firewall side.
Layout hopefully looks like this:
Details & pictures to follow, but:
(1) a std VDO fuel gauge with sender mounted in the tank
(2) T&B is a small sailboat inclinometer
(3) TinyTac is a small tachometer reading impulses from the spark plug wire
(4) On the backside (the iPad) I'll mount a 12VDC car dual USB charger and run the iPad wire to this for power - the 2nd port will be used for a mini GPS antenna somewhere inside the cockpit (velcro-ed ... it's a Dual Universal GPS Receiver).
(5) The Starter Switch is a std motorcycle starter.
(6) The Swift CHT-EGT gauge is 2" round from A/C Spruce
(7) The VOM is a 1" automotive accessory
(8) Belite Multi-function gauge ... Airspeed, Rate-of-Climb (VSI), and Altimeter ... really nice (if expensive) small (2" square) instrument. I had this on-hand from a previous project.
(9) Master Switch sends battery power to a 10Amp breaker and thence to the USB charger and to the Avionics Switch
(10) Avionics Switch sends power to a 3Amp breaker thence to the positive buss for instrument distribution.
I'll fit an arm from the center cockpit tab to the top-center of the panel to hold it in place. I'm also thinking of running a light wire from the top perimeter thru the cockpit tab to provide a means for supporting the panel when in the down position. I'll picture that when it gets done.
Also to day I added the brake pedal springs and nicopressed the thimbles to the 1/16" brake cables.
Progress ... now if I can just figure out the flaperon control arms placements ... descriptions got me stumped.
I sketched it out in Visio and plotted the end curves; then transferred the result to the sheet provided by Chris in the kit.
(1) a std VDO fuel gauge with sender mounted in the tank
(2) T&B is a small sailboat inclinometer
(3) TinyTac is a small tachometer reading impulses from the spark plug wire
(4) On the backside (the iPad) I'll mount a 12VDC car dual USB charger and run the iPad wire to this for power - the 2nd port will be used for a mini GPS antenna somewhere inside the cockpit (velcro-ed ... it's a Dual Universal GPS Receiver).
(5) The Starter Switch is a std motorcycle starter.
(6) The Swift CHT-EGT gauge is 2" round from A/C Spruce
(7) The VOM is a 1" automotive accessory
(8) Belite Multi-function gauge ... Airspeed, Rate-of-Climb (VSI), and Altimeter ... really nice (if expensive) small (2" square) instrument. I had this on-hand from a previous project.
(9) Master Switch sends battery power to a 10Amp breaker and thence to the USB charger and to the Avionics Switch
(10) Avionics Switch sends power to a 3Amp breaker thence to the positive buss for instrument distribution.
I'll fit an arm from the center cockpit tab to the top-center of the panel to hold it in place. I'm also thinking of running a light wire from the top perimeter thru the cockpit tab to provide a means for supporting the panel when in the down position. I'll picture that when it gets done.
Also to day I added the brake pedal springs and nicopressed the thimbles to the 1/16" brake cables.
Progress ... now if I can just figure out the flaperon control arms placements ... descriptions got me stumped.