Brief Description: Fabricate Doubler Plate for Relays; Begin Bat Tray
Today I started working on a couple of firewall forward tasks. First, I fabricated the F-7127D doubler plate for the Master and Starter relays. I purchased my relays from B&C Specialty and they do not match the profile of the relays sold by Van's and therefore they do not mount the same. I think I will order Van's relays and send the B&C relays back. For now I just pre-drilled the rivet holes for the doubler and not the mounting holes for the relays. I'll do that later when I actually have them in hand.Next I started working on the battery tray. The plans indicate that both the battery box and retainer strap can have optional lightening holes drilled in them. I decided not to do this mainly because I will be using a very light O-320 with a fixed pitch prop setup so I will need more weight up front to avoid CG problems. I took advantage of all of the optional lightening holes in the tail and aft fuselage to keep thing light in the back as well.Anyway, I was able to fabricate the F-7127C retainer strap tonight and countersink the two F-7128A-L/R mounting angles for the nutplates. I used Van's touch-up paint to cover the countersunk holes in the steel angles to prevent them from corroding.
Reinforcement plate for the Master and Starter relays
Countersinking the F-7127A-L/R angles for the battery tray
