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Dave's RV-7A Builder's Log
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Date: 6-14-2015
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Number of Hours: 6.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: Wire harness and avionics rack
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With the wire splicing finished yesterday, I started today’s session out by taking the harness back over to the aircraft and carefully threading everything back in place. My hope is that I’ll be able to keep the main wire bundle installed when I rivet the forward top skin on, so I started thinking about the sequence of installation to make sure I didn’t paint myself into the hypothetical corner. Tom and I had discussed the best placement of the main harness being on the lower sub-panel, so I added six Adel clamps for the initial fitting. Once these clamps were in place I started moving wires around within the bundles to better plan my exits. During this time I realized that I was going to need to have the backshells attached to the audio panel and GPS, so I spent a little time getting those in place. Once that was done, I finished the basic wire organization and started to think about radio installation.
With two GTR 20s and the GTX 23 still needing homes—and with the pre-fabbed harnesses only giving me a couple of feet to work with, I faced a dilemma. I knew that I could attach radios a couple of different ways, but the transponder really needed some thought. The only place I’ve seen people put the transponder is under the baggage floor, but that would require a new harness and some way of getting cooling air in there, so I came up with an idea that I hope works as well. The area in the upper forward fuselage is unclaimed real estate; the only issue is that there isn’t much to attach things to. I decided to make an avionics rack and hang the radios and transponder from it. My logic is that it will be well clear of the rudder pedals, open enough to allow access for installation, and can be used to route wires and cables as necessary.
I used some spare angle to make the rack, and while I still have some work to get it attached firmly, the initial fitting is encouraging—and as the picture shows, the radio fits. Good session!
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Initial fit on forward bulkhead
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Avionics rack fabrication
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Com 2 radio test fit
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