|
|
|
|
Dave's RV-7A Builder's Log
|
Date: 4-30-2017
|
Number of Hours: 6.00
|
Manual Reference:
|
Brief Description: Fuel pump installation and other finishing tasks
|
|
I started the day with the intention of getting the center tunnel cover fully installed with the associated tasks of plumbing and wiring the electric fuel pump but immediately got distracted by another task that I’d left hanging. The ELT display head was temporarily installed on the backside of the panel, and I had previously worked on a bracket to attach it securely, but never finished it. After an hour of drilling, cutting, filing and installing four nut plates, I realized that it was never going to work…so I went to plan B and ground down one side on each of four #6 lock nuts. The challenge is that the four screw holes are so close to the sides of the housing that there is no way to get a nut on them. With that problem solved I somehow got my hand behind the panel and got all four secured.
Now to the fuel system. Yesterday before I left I had cut several pieces of foam to fit on the side of the tunnel under the fuel and brake lines, so I finished installing the tunnel cover and then began the process of wiring the fuel pump. Wiring at this point is pretty straight forward—measure, cut, strip, crimp, test circuits and heat shrink to protect. After finishing all of that I used my handy 12V bulb tester to see if it was wired properly. Master switch on, boost pump circuit breaker in, switch on…and it lighted up. I had previously painted the fuel selector cover but wanted to give it more time to cure properly, so I installed all of the fuel lines and the selector without the cover—I’ll finish that off next weekend. Fuel system is almost done. While I was at it I tested the forward carpet and it looks great!
The last couple of hours were spent cleaning and organizing the workspace for the final push. I now have a dedicated finishing station where I will do all of the fiberglass work, so with that, and the Taj Mahbooth, I think I am ready for tackling the windshield fairing, cowling, wing tips, and all of the control fairings. Lots of sanding in my future.
|
|
Foam installed under fuel & brake lines
|
|
Fuel pump installation
|
|
Full view of cockpit with everything installed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2001-2024 Matronics. All Rights Reserved.
|
