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Peak Entropy on Panel and Electrical Upgrade

AlexPeterson

AlexPeterson

Well Known Member
Greetings,

After 15 years and 1540+ hours flight time, in October I started on an upgrade which will include complete modification to the electrical system as well as new avionics. This picture, at first glance, appears to one of an airplane wreck:

l6-gtvg38t8oW8MMUYB2HU_o4AcsWF0CfaKrnNqP86rsHILHDT7GwIB7HhB-w2m1VurNI_m0pzY9HamoT5LlAn8yCHAW1OkDLZVzM_vfETnJidVdosH-T1d-3VjiKfLzsuq_qj_nWFzds1IJ--73F6qCnkrHVaOmgDFN3BVX2XeVgSHf9vGvkdejaC2K01KrnGckfK6sqLFdRWbPpo7ZHkBwZLV7sQBF30IRUxcoBC4mS4khoAIL6rKgB2TK1TVeiv2OcAlSv3oafNePmVZvmn33Llt2Hje-z8k1dDrJRLJdX91poUdkeCyk7XwHAPhEIm8Seuu4cAar2_-w5XjcbUBvM_TJPk3nYYggk56vsu3ge_Wj-OiRbBVoNWBY86ydWAWZfa1Y92TYJwC-Pt5HzKPNzf2HGv_es0LzUOPJtQebSF4o3B7d9-8YG9tc6E2L2F0aIwRINeWFogWeU_mdMbl6GAJS9Rzi6CYeVE2QVdh7vgNFSOHUSGsq-epICcBvzwcTWIwSMlM8h5LaB1wayN4yGYrnv7PSF3yAjs4BjPP1KCTb4jO2P8xC-GgOD_3vgeGsBJFCgZz6DQw0xZ7cWbvEhzUAXzNoaiz0a_w-VizKYTbJh_L1=w640-h470-no


Unlike during the initial build of the plane, where I mostly worked on one system/component at a time, this project requires a lot of simultaneous sub-projects at once, hence the huge mess...

The electrical system changes include: battery moved to forward of the firewall, solenoids ditto, fuse and grounding blocks moved from near the firewall (inside) to between the panel and sub-panel.

One finds that maintaining an RV for 15 years greatly increases one's wisdom about what to place where... A design goal for this project has been to eliminate the need to climb under the panel for most things. I'll post pictures as I progress.

(Entropy: state of disorder of things)
 
Oh dear. I wish you hadn't posted that picture. I fear something similar is in my near future.
 
I feel you pain and apprehension. FWIW, my instrument panel went from this:
1-2007Panel_zps0b6434ff.jpg


to this:
22-RemovingInstruments_zpsf99ef78b.jpg


And finally to this. It seemed to take forever, was frustrating and I thought it would never work but in the end was worth every minute.
YSV15DME_zpsb39639b4.jpg


GOOD LUCK!

:cool:
 
Done?

Hey....
WHEN will you have it done?????....
WHEN will you have it done?????....
WHEN will you have it done?????....
WHEN will you have it done?????....
What? you have been down for how long?
Don't you like to fly?
----------
Couldn't resist.....
Congrats on starting.
 
Project Delta S (Change in State of Disorder)

I feel your pain. Just completed a panel replacement on my 9A, taking it from steam to two GRT units and a GTN650. I had a brief Oh Sh** moment sitting in the cockpit with all of the wires dangling after I pulled the old panel. Took me a while to remember that they had gone in one at a time. It also took me about twice as long as I originally planned and cost nearly 50% over budget (in other words, met my standard build criteria), but the results are well worth it. The real fun has been learning to operate all the new stuff - I'm back in student mode.
With the passing of the steam era, I would note that the days of moving seamlessly from one plane to the next will soon be behind us. Buttonology is becoming nearly as important as stick skills (just kidding).
Good luck with your build. Breathe in, breathe out. Enjoy the journey.
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP
 
lessons learned

Alex, please do share what you learn about how to redo it. I'm just at the point of getting back into the panel, and hints/tips will be most welcome.

What is interesting is seeing the number of RVs that will go through panel upgrades is increasing. This should spur lots of innovation, interesting discussions and new products.
 
rv8ch said:
Alex, please do share what you learn about how to redo it. I'm just at the point of getting back into the panel, and hints/tips will be most welcome.

What is interesting is seeing the number of RVs that will go through panel upgrades is increasing. This should spur lots of innovation, interesting discussions and new products.
Click to expand...

Mickey, thanks, will do. Here is a picture taken early in the process, just as I was getting into the teardown. This would be the "oh, s***, what the **** am I getting into!" phase:

R9noUl6MnXUOUd2_iUTsw572scnhYCD97PWO-dy8V8CsDXml6UPr1w3LAereDkMIUbLAJbOrzrQvnGLN9UswTmG5IliHhGrZQJs1J465dh0sFVXXpSdIS12JKHY6zHDR3mAXNW59o7Qe8tFk6Sl-pzl_PFiKaam1DODD3Xe4j04zjGQAKHH87kWhk8kmBOrPNwg6Zfb1m2uSouBnnD9vsSffIuX7nJRga0vxxTZubgdUizqlJTqMxTe4yqeiLwDRd8LWqCdEUtDMFDXe12JX8MtuHf3GnbymbXHM_H6OiZz5vqkiGxZM3IG2dzGvam476oaJpw9Zsmqx-3qHnGAICYqulzG3IObaamYib6cSF8ILApvwfP7g4jlkHDHhKbh7R8UkXsf7n3uAYbI-62BdLP83LRJQHxfTSxr_nP-s5Myt0dPzDt3Wt5TzVmx7j94Tmdu3BynjE9xDBLnvFWXOk3lYI6XleCOok0aWilJt9l8NbnXM60X6t7IfqbheVrlRldFGursqXetkcvW_VARW3soKvxR4dF6i_adf2UWwcfky2-ArjuBdTb0A-_EB2JlnpEu76A2SLgfjx68q0AcqlUZAsAoW1T_cEojDzDjx37qhR670fWP7=w640-h480-no


I'm 2.5 months and about 190 hours into the project. The majority of work has been re-doing the electrical distribution, planning, design, servo mounts (I had Century servos before, so needed to adapt the mounts). The actual wiring won't take too long. I hope to be done around the end of Feb...

Stay tuned!
 
Many of these pictures look way too familiar. I regularly see a transformation like Galin shows taking place over a 2-3 week period.
 
Back in the air!

I completed the panel about a month ago. It took a bit over 300 hours, but at least half of that, perhaps 2/3's, was redesigning and redoing the electrical system. More details here if you are so inclined, in the December 2016 and March 2017 editions.

I'm very happy with how it turned out, and I've found no big deal in transitioning to the efis display from the old gauges. I retained the A/S indicator as a backup, but I only look at from time to time for comparison.

I've got a few more labels to modify and/or generate, but here's the final product:

4sr276XZEqZ9Znn4cOBNtB4P4kUKt0JquwdGKTF8_L8FirpGXrvu8mt7B05vh1cZowmr9qbY9legsueVVluDl8uWx-zCkjhvvnDzLYpxJZAUdevVLNt8aXXGM1dv3UTrp6D1VLjbbf4z4ODN5ZN2CEtoIHBMXbFNRxg5aIVCUL7y6kasuB7xK4gyHKPnLlLmkWltlv9e_gMPCXAfL0Aq2NWw5HV95oz0JSZD0qWswfcHXNCTp_SGQQ4NDqn5aQOQdWECx8bqiZ2g1V5-9ufb32_klI-tQP_1bQPj_vFGql-jQ9Qz33NwDd9Z8R7ie_jq7TakmYiJxIKNGZrYEISmt_BuGTL_NyT1u-5hGtPPCwUpRC-IPmE3iJCJK97lnA8uQ_uHVLjIEpcHR26RanlTAmViGBNaF6ahRLa-IcmW2Ui-I9mu9fwePeVkpONBXEav3dFcwoHbDGi9yhKIzB0l9lIrDeDXP5MSx9tmsGlNdrwysObkuJn4VJeG9O6RYg9A8FF8nfUZMO-1erRaQCCRK4V43x5kzYp2duzOyLj18R9Q5PTuI5Y_2rluBrmO5xfKKUr6ttwIA_FF7UBHJS8cqLnqH3ztv3Vvp3xs5JXvqTacSzIUsmo8=w760-h319-no


The goals of the project were met, namely, replacing some gyros and A/P parts that needed repair, ADSB in/out capability, coolness of big screen, etc.. I also had a major goal of making things easy to maintain, specifically minimizing the need to climb under the panel. A few more thoughts are in the newsletter linked above.
 
nice results

Alex, it turned out really nice - congrats! I guess it feels like a new aircraft, probably flies better, too. :)

Can you tell us more about those red screws? They look cool.
 
rv8ch said:
Alex, it turned out really nice - congrats! I guess it feels like a new aircraft, probably flies better, too. :)

Can you tell us more about those red screws? They look cool.
Click to expand...

Mickey, thanks. The screws are anodized aluminum socket head cap screws from here. Obviously not as strong as steel, but are fun for this application.

Regarding the change to the panel, it is a strange unfamiliarity coupled with a very familiar plane... I'm really enjoying getting to know the capabilities of the system.
 
Nice write up, Alex, thanks. What started as an engine monitor installation turned into an airplane explosion just like yours with very similar goals, I am about halfway done.

BTW, why is it the starboard wing always becomes the parts shelf? :D Closest to the hangar door for me, but it seems others follow the same convention.
 
catmandu said:
BTW, why is it the starboard wing always becomes the parts shelf? :D Closest to the hangar door for me, but it seems others follow the same convention.
Click to expand...

Because PILOTS always climb in from the left side (even in a tandem!), so we have to leave the left wing walk clear..... :p
 
AlexPeterson said:
Mickey, thanks, will do. Here is a picture taken early in the process, just as I was getting into the teardown. This would be the "oh, s***, what the **** am I getting into!" phase:

R9noUl6MnXUOUd2_iUTsw572scnhYCD97PWO-dy8V8CsDXml6UPr1w3LAereDkMIUbLAJbOrzrQvnGLN9UswTmG5IliHhGrZQJs1J465dh0sFVXXpSdIS12JKHY6zHDR3mAXNW59o7Qe8tFk6Sl-pzl_PFiKaam1DODD3Xe4j04zjGQAKHH87kWhk8kmBOrPNwg6Zfb1m2uSouBnnD9vsSffIuX7nJRga0vxxTZubgdUizqlJTqMxTe4yqeiLwDRd8LWqCdEUtDMFDXe12JX8MtuHf3GnbymbXHM_H6OiZz5vqkiGxZM3IG2dzGvam476oaJpw9Zsmqx-3qHnGAICYqulzG3IObaamYib6cSF8ILApvwfP7g4jlkHDHhKbh7R8UkXsf7n3uAYbI-62BdLP83LRJQHxfTSxr_nP-s5Myt0dPzDt3Wt5TzVmx7j94Tmdu3BynjE9xDBLnvFWXOk3lYI6XleCOok0aWilJt9l8NbnXM60X6t7IfqbheVrlRldFGursqXetkcvW_VARW3soKvxR4dF6i_adf2UWwcfky2-ArjuBdTb0A-_EB2JlnpEu76A2SLgfjx68q0AcqlUZAsAoW1T_cEojDzDjx37qhR670fWP7=w640-h480-no


I'm 2.5 months and about 190 hours into the project. The majority of work has been re-doing the electrical distribution, planning, design, servo mounts (I had Century servos before, so needed to adapt the mounts). The actual wiring won't take too long. I hope to be done around the end of Feb...

Stay tuned!
Click to expand...

stupid question, that clamp light I see attached to your stick, I love these but the bulbs are HOT HOT, did you use an LED and if so what size.

Sorry I love lighting but LEDS and their cross overs are confusing , my lamp will hold up to a 74 watt traditional bulb

BTW the panel looks GREAT!!!
 
Last edited:
Good question re clamp light - I've got LED spots or floods in them. Seems I got two bulbs for around $8. They maybe draw 20 watts or similar, so they are not hot to the touch at all. Plastic globe also, which is nice.
 
Ironflight said:
Because PILOTS always climb in from the left side (even in a tandem!), so we have to leave the left wing walk clear..... :p
Click to expand...

Ha! I did mostly climb in the co-pilots side during this project, so I had to keep a 6" square mostly free of junk. I put a 12" concrete block behind the flap for a more stable step.

I am fairly certain I got in and out of the cockpit more during this project than during 1540 hours of flying...
 
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