Sub Panels

This blog cover the construction of the lower panels.

Overview
The lower panel has three [3] separate panels for the undercarriage, fuel pressure and belly tanks creating sub panels including all gauges and breakers. One feature that was decided on was that each panel would be plugged into the electrical system like the main panel to allow simpler maintenance by removing to a bench for servicing or creating access to other items.

Installation
The front panel was fabricated from 0.040'' 2024-T3 aluminium sheet with the plug mounts fabricated from the same material in 0.030''. All components were alodined and the front will have a suitable vinyl label applied once the final configuration is confirmed. The various brackets are fixed using the components and automotive trim tape.

All plugs are either 9 pin RS232 or AMP plugs featuring gold plated pins and sockets with both having some means of positive locking. The lower RS232 is a two [2] pin plug with gold plated pins ment for the high power music market.

The gear panel features push to test indicator lights, separate circuit breakers for the pump and control. Currently the switch is a dummy until a gear selector switch is sourced.

Rear of Gear Panel

Gear Panel

The gear panel features a fuel pressure  and differential pressure gauge along with circuit breaker for pump and control. A feature of this aircraft will be the installation of a mechanical fuel pump that can supply the fuel and pressure required for a supercharged engine. This will be outlined in later blogs as the engineering is yet to be completed. 

The reason is to remove the electrical load and dependence on the battery to keep the aircraft running in a worst case scenario. The gauges will allow the settings and pump to be monitored with the performance of the boost pump as part of the preflight checks as undertaken with a Lycoming engine.

Fuel panel

Rear of fuel panel

Mock up - yes they will line at final assembly up but this required a lot of
careful filing of mounting holes

Comments
The big error made was to fabricate the panels as separate items as alignment has proved to be a challenge. Doing it again the panels would be fabricated as a single panel with the mounting holes match drilled into the lower panel and then the panels separated.

The wiring goes on and on and on.

Leaving for a holiday and will be visiting the factory to finalize a few decisions and to undertake a few hours of flying to get a feel of the aircraft.