Brief Description: Left fuel tank end rib install part 1
The left fuel tank is getting closer and closer to done. Today I installed the end ribs, this took a fair amount of prep work. Before I could install them I needed to make sure that the capacitive sensors were wired and the fuel return and fuel vent lines got installed as well before the ribs went on. I started by wiring the capacitive sender plates. I both crimped and soldered the connections per the suggestions in the manual. I placed the snap bushings in a bench vice and used a 1/8 drill bit to cut a slot in the bushings for the wire. I then installed the bushings, ran the wire and wound the wire around the vent tube as I fed it through the ribs and to the support bracket at the fuel filler neck. I then started to fit the plates and ended up taking them in an out a few times to make sure they were adequately trimmed back to assure electrical isolation. I tested this numerous times with my multimeter to verify.
I then placed the inboard most rib in the inboard bay and soldered the connection to the BNC connector. I then mixed up the sealant and got to work setting the two ribs(I will rivet them in a the next couple of days.) I took a pipe clamp and reversed the heads so that instead of clamping it was pushing the rubber heads apart. I used that to open the end a little wider than I could do by hand and slid the end ribs in one at a time and clecoed all around.
I also realized that I failed to remove enough material from the T-405 to be able to put a solid rivet in every hole at the leading edge of the wing by the bracket. I plan to use some Cherry Max rivets in these instances. My research on VAF shows this is a common occurrence and the area will be covered by a fairing in the future.
The glove is protecting the end of the flop tube from sealant
