RV-7 N890GF

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  • Cut Panel

    Today I cut the panel for the main EFIS screens and the sub modules. I measured and compared to the CAD probably a dozen times, and luckily it all came out straight and even. The first thing I did was look up how much the blank RV-7 panel costs on vansaircraft.com -$40. With that knowledge,…

  • Panel Layout

    I finished the detailed layout of the panel for the major components. I wanted to get these laid out first since they are symmetrical about the centerline. Here you can see the cutouts marked for the two main EFISs and the four sub panels in the center. I have left room for an Avidyne (either…

  • Panel

    I’ve been working over the last several months on the panel layout and design. I’ve gone through a few iterations and I’ve finally settled on a design. I have a full size rendering of the panel so that I can visualize it as I do the detailed measurements. I have the entire thing measured out…

  • More Avionics Wiring

    Today I spent a solid chunk of time routing wires. Making wiring harnesses has been one of my the more satisfying parts of the project so far. I started by organizing the firewall forward sensor wires. This bundle contains everything from engine temps, to oil and fuel pressure and the ignition harnesses. These are now…

  • Ignition Harnesses

    Tonight I spent a few hours making my ignition harnesses. My engine uses twin P-Mag ignitions, so I had to make two identical harness. I started by removing the connectors on the ignitions so I can attach the wires. The connectors use a screw-clamp style connection. Here you can see the connector attached to the…

  • Engine Controls Bracket

    Yesterday I spent a few hours making the engine controls bracket. The bracket that comes in the kit is flimsy 0.032 aluminum sheet that is bent so it can attach to the bottom of the panel. I knew I wanted to use something different than the stock bracket, so I made one. Here you can…

  • VPX Wiring #2

    Today I continued with my wiring extravaganza. I didn’t get any new pictures, but I started by beeping out the ELT DIN connector. I originally made the harness a few years ago, and forgot to write down the wire designations. I tested the connector and verified with the specs provided with the ELT and then…

  • Fuselage Wiring

    Today I did a lot of wire organizing in the forward section of the fuselage, under the panel. All of the cables routed from the aft fuselage and under the seats funnels into the center section and routes on the floor up to the panel. Once I organized the rats nest of wires I ended…

  • VPX Installation

    Yesterday I spent most of the day at the hangar cleaning up and working on the installation of the VPX mounting brackets. I started with the rough position of the mounting brackets under the sub panel ribs. This will be the final position of the VPX under the panel. Each corner needed a nut plate…

  • VPX Wiring

    Today I spent a few hours working on the main power harnesses. Since I’m using the Vertical Power VPX, all the power wires connect to a central distribution point including the panel switches. It’s all very straightforward once you have the pins all planned out. Here’s the VPX mounted under the panel (it’s all upside…