CO Detector

This blog covers the installation of the CO detector

Overview
To operate in Australia all aircraft must have some means of detecting the presence of Carbon Monoxide, this can be as simple as a card to an integrated detector.

A Guardian Avionics Carbon Monoxide Model 452 was selected based on its size of cost, however, in small panel present in a tandem aircraft there was no space. Luckily as the goal is to create a military cockpit, so a tack on box works.

Installation.
A plastic box was selected and the top cut to allow the detector to be installed. Next, a circuit breaker had to be installed in line with the design philosophy of the cockpit. Simply this means all devices associated with the operation of a distinct system are grouped.

The box was sprayed with plastic adhesion primer and one coat of Satin Black Spray Acrylic to blend with the cockpit colour and remove the plastic look.

Box interior - tight

The original choice of Klixion circuit breakers paid dividends because of there small size.

Front of box
Note: 20 amp was used to allow assembly
while waiting for the correct breaker

A surplus UMA 9 pin RS232 plug was used as it allows the pins to be crimped rather than being soldered, again this was an advantage in the small area available in the box. Power wires were added to the plug, loomed with the PPS tube and sealed with dual wall adhesive heat shrink.

CO detector mounted in final position

A series of M3 rivet nuts were installed in the end wall of the wheel well to secure the box to the airframe. The box was secured with four [4] M3 x 12 S/S pan head screws.

Both wires were now terminated to the general bus.

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