I have been struggling a bit with my final panel design. The basics are all there with the purchase of a steam gauge panel from another RV-8 builder. However, I still need to find a location for a parking brake control cable and frankly, nothing is working. I want to mount the cable high on the panel giving me an unobstructed short run to the brake valve but space is at a premium.
The solution finally presented itself today. My panel had a 9/16" hole in the upper right corner where an autopilot GPS select switch was installed. By fabricating a flush insert in the hole it can be reduced to 7/16" accommodating the brake cable. There is sufficient room then to mount the Hobbs meter just to the right of the cable T-handle. Over on the right aux panel there will be two toggle switches between the mag switch and the upper longeron (starter control to stick and rear stick switch enable), an intercom just above the mag switch, aileron and pitch trim indicators to the right of the intercom, and probably the GPS select switch and an LED dimmer switch above the intercom.
The left aux panel will then have an eyeball air vent mounted in the lower portion with a magnetic compass just above. There will probably be a panel dimmer switch to the left of the air vent to control instrument lighting other than the Electronics International gauges.
I also plan to install matching warning lights on the upper left of the panel to indicate boost pump on (amber) and a low oil pressure/master on condition (red). There will be enough room for two additional indicator lights if any need arises. The only other requirement I can think of at present is a toggle switch for forward cockpit lighting and maybe a future switch to allow selected audio input to the intercom. I will have to think about this a bit more.
