Lower Cabin stuff
I’m still at it, just getting a bit lazy about updating the log. I actually got a call from an “other RV builder” to provide some motivation to do an update.
I completed my ground power receptacle installation. I cut the big fat hole in the floor with a hole saw and a die grinder. Tanya scuffed the primer where the brass back plate is so we have good electrical contact (ground). I also used a little bit of dielectric grease. Next, I moved on to the dreaded fuel plumbing. It is all fun and games until you try to thread the 3/8″ aluminum main fuel tubing through the main gear weldaments and out the side of the fuselage. The contraption/tool shown is the tool used to make the super special 37 degree flare for all AN (aircraft) fittings. I took a picture of the way that I “highly prepared” one of the pieces of fuel line before trying to thread it through the gear mounts and into place. This didn’t really work out any better than just fighting it into place from inboard to outboard.
With the fuel lines in place, I just had to take a picture of the standard tubing goof up. Yep, at least once during a tubing process, I seem to be required to inadvertently flare an end without first putting the fittings on. So the end has to be cut off and prepared again. Finally, one has to decide just how much tubing to leave for connection to the tanks on the outside of the fuselage. A search yields about 3″. I’ll leave 4-5″.
After messing with the fuel lines, the brake lines were almost a piece of cake. After I had all of the brake lines done, I did another trial fit to the center cover and marked where I needed to trim it for the heater control cable to clear.
Moving on with a whole laundry list of little things to complete, I decided to make some small angle brackets to mount the AOA controller on the back side of the left sub panel. The mounting screws are oriented in such a way that it is easiest to mount it with the label side against the mounting face. Some might call this upside down, but it doesn’t care. I drug out the instrument panel and prepared the mounting of the engine control quadrant. This will be removable via some bolts and nutplates holding two pieces of angle together. I also made a back plate out of .063″ sheet for behind the switches for the switch antirotation tabs to fit in.
I received the -3 braided brake lines that I ordered the other day. They were ordered from ANplumbing.com and are -3. The long ones are both 36″ and the ones going to the reservoir are 16″ and 18″. I decided it was time to see if they were going to work. I installed the fittings on the master cylinders with some Bakerseal and a whole lot of force (very carefully). I can only imagine that many people don’t tighten these NTP fittings enough because they get very tight very quickly. Just roughly placing the assembly in the fuselage, notice I didn’t even go to the trouble of putting the brake pedals in, the hoses look like they’ll work out just fine. I’m going to use some adel clamps attached to a piece of angle where the hoses pass through the rudder pedal center bracket.
I finally got around to ordering my engine mount and drilled gear leg from Vans the other day. Remember my whole Subaru mess that dictated not ordering a mount with my finish kit. They said the mount has a six week lead time. I also placed my order with Stark Avionics for the radio stack (GNS 430, GTX 330, SL40). That is a pay up front operation. Still waiting on all of my GRT EFIS equipment that I ordered from Steinair and my engine from Mattituck. I suspect that Mattituck is waiting for the P-Mags. I’m not too worried about the engine since I’m not ready for it yet and they don’t have all my money this time. I’m also trying to work out a seat order. I’m planning on getting the seats from Classic Aero Designs and they are stating a 14 week lead time.
