So, why an overhead console?
Seems everyone does it. ?
My Warrior has a ventilation fan in the tail cone that allows forced air distribution through the overhead vents while on the ground. There is a pickup at the top of the vertical stab that connects to the fan suction with scat tubing. The fan then feeds into the overhead console.
Has anyone considered a similar arrangement for their -10? The extra ventilation due to the fan is great on hot days on the ramp. You can direct a stream of air right on top of your head, which helps a lot. It may not be as good as air conditioning, but it is pretty useful.
The issue of overhead consoles aside, Gary makes an important point for anyone reviewing these online forums and looking for guidance regarding accessories. It is easy to list the benefits of adding things, but more difficult to articulate the value of keeping it simple and light. Not to mention that there is sometimes a certain negative attitude expressed in these public forums towards the simple and light approach. I think everyone should build the airplane they want, and you can't look to an online forum to figure that out.
Do others without the overhead vents feel you need more fresh air?
So, why an overhead console?
Seems everyone does it. But what do you actually use it for other than lights and air vent hose?
I think it may save some time during the build....It covers a large area of the interior cabin top that is bit rough to finish. It has many above mentioned benefits but the one no one mentioned yet...The Coat hanger
I'm with gary here. Last one had rear nacas and an accuracy console. This time I made low profile consoles myself for antennae, lights, rear headset jacks , and lighter. I skipped the extra vents. Maybe saved ten pounds.
since I built my overhead using your mold, I guess I'm particularly interested to hear your choices for headset jack locations front and rear - especially in light of that amazing wiring harness engineering job you shared with us recently.
Bill,
Since as already mentioned, I also don't like climbing in around wires, the jacks needed to go in the center. I also don't like stringing wires all around the cockpit (like I do now in the 182 to power the iPad, Stratus etc.) I wanted USB outlets available also in the center. I also run Bose headsets and can't bare to leave them in plain sight (too expensive) when I park the aircraft somewhere while in travel mode. So I needed somewhere to stow them out of sight when not in use.
And lastly I like the center console arm rest in my big fat SUV that I drive .... I decided to do a center console.
First pic is the wiring insert with all of the jacks fore and aft. The front jacks go inside the center console.
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Aft view
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Front jacks inside with the wire/connector attached
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Console attached to the center tunnel cover. It's on the large side, and not as stylish as some, but will fit 4 pair of Bose headsets (or whatever "stuff" the wife needs at hand while flying). One Item I am considering is cutting two cup holder inserts into the top ... not sure yet. I might end up putting those elsewhere.
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It will get lightly padded on top, covered with leather, French seams at the edges and an insert liner inside to clean up the appearance. The wire bundle comes in under the passenger seat, into the tunnel and up through the bottom just aft of the front/rear tunnel cover joint so everything comes off without fishing wires through holes. The hole in the bottom of the console is big enough to fit the connector through so it comes out cleanly with 4 screws.
I am willing to give the mold away for this as well, sine I don't need it hanging around gathering dust ... and I have too much work into it to just toss it out.
Mike,
PM me where to send it to. All I ask is that you send it on to anyone else that might want to use it.
The mold is for the basic "bucket".
After making the basic part from the mold, form the top rim, cutting the top off, place the part on a piece of glass open top down (waxed or packing tape for release) and run a strip of layup around the edge. Trim to a clean edge when cured.
To form the bottom, first trim the edges from the mold nice and flat. Then set the molded part on a piece of glass with release agent. Pre-wet the precut glass layup with epoxy (between plastic wrap if you want low mess) and tuck it into place forming a bottom.
Hi Mike
Once you are done with the center console mold, can you put me on the list for next to use? I am a few years away from flying but like the looks of this mod.
Thx
Steve