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Glass panel for slider

joew

Well Known Member
Okay, it’s been years since I’ve been active but finally bit the bullet and bought my avionics from Stein. No I can sure use your fine folks help. Attached are some photos of my panel. I’m looking for some ideas on where and how to mount the boxes onto the sub panel. The plane has a slider canopy, so I’ll have big holes to access the avionics.

I also have a GTR 20 (remote mount), and a GTX45 (remote mount).

I’ve scoured the web and the site to glean some info, but it’s kinda of hit/miss.

Any assistance is appreciated,

Joe
 

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I have an RV-7 slider. I mounted my GEA 24 and GAD 29 on the left side sub panel with the GEA on the front. I mounted the GTR20 on the left spar. On the right side of the sub panel I mounted the IBBS and the CO Detector. I put the GTX 45R under the VPX which sits in front of the sub panel under the spars.

Unfortunately I don't have a photo sharing account to post pics, but send me a pm and I can share if you like.
 
I assume you also had Stein build up a harness. Plug everything in on the bench. This should give you some ideas on placement of components based on cable lengths. Make cardboard patterns of the components & tape them to the sub panel, move them around till everything fits. Only special consideration, orient things like Xpdr in position that is easy to maintain.
 
LRU Placement

Hi Joe,

Click here and scroll down to Post #34 to see a block diagram of where I placed all the parts and pieces. Further down are some photos as well.
 
Pictures in MyKitlog

Check out my pictures in the avionics section of MyKitlog. It shows how I arranged my components behind the panel. Look all the way through to the end. Some got relocated.
 
Your log was very helpful. I’m able to see how the mounts were fabricated. I think that’s where my work will start before I even consider wiring.
 
Joe you have a lot of thinking to do now.

A side question that might help Joe.

Does any builder center have a Solidworks model of the RV-7/a - slider/tipper so the components can be located. Then a plywood buck would be made for the wiring harnesses? And individual mounts made for the components under the forward skin.

Joe, I can not help on placement as my hardware was all previous generation. I would recommend that you make your harness(es) so that little-to-nothing goes through a hole until it gets back to the spar station. Generous use of CPC connectors (high quality). You have left-center-right on the spar, then under the side rails along the longeron. Those are quite difficult to access after the fact. Also hopefully you had stein make masters of the wiring diagram and connections. This will help in the future as things are added and to troubleshoot issues.

Planning for the stick controls, etc using relays, connectors and orderly placement will be a great advantage to allow a lot of bench work instead of working between your knees in a tiny hole in the cockpit.

You probably know this already. :eek:
 
Bill,

All great points for sure. That’s the why behind my question. I’m not inventing the wheel. So many others have gone before. I’m trying to learn the gotchas and what folks wish they had done, or if it’s great, what they did.

I just do not see enough of these installs to get an idea, so the photos help a lot. The stick grip wiring will be a bit sketchy too. I’ve had so many folks tell me, “you should have run wires while you were building”. How could I do that, when I didn’t know what I would have.

Anyway, I appreciate all the guidance thus far. I’m a knuckle dragger, so I depend on all of you that have gone before.

Thank you
 
Your thoughts please

I’ve done some arts and crafts and made some supports with construction paper.

Take a look and let me know what your thoughts are. It’s a rough trial. Would love your thoughts. The transponder rack will be below the sub panel accessible from the front. The GTR 20R on a rack under the sub panel behind the PFD, and the GDL 51R just in front of it.

Not sure if the GDL can be mounted on the sub panel? I couldn’t find anything regarding instal orientation.
 

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Advice needed

I’ve been racking my brain the last couple weeks trying to figure out where to put the LRU’s. Attached are some photos of what I came up with. I only drilled two holes each and no nut plates have been installed so I can still move things around.

The GTR 20R is below the GDL 51 under the sub panel. The GTX 45R is under the sub panel behind the MFD. I think I’ve made enough room for wire runs, additional boxes (voltage regulators) and access.

Thoughts?
 

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It appears like you are mounting all you can for access from a PFD/MFD hole after it would be removed - good. Look at the slide distance access for the transponder, had to lower mine 1/4", I don't remember why. :eek:

If Stein made your harness, look at the routing for all the connectors. Straight or angle, angle left or right up/down? It appears all your wiring will be under the panels - that is good, I didn't to allow room for other things, just not lower than 1 inch below the bottom rails.

Think about any component mounted forward of the sub panel. Can you connect, can you remove with one hand? Room for easy access for static, airspeed and AOA tubing? Neat and easy trumps number of connections, IMO.

Now, ensure your wires are tight (relatively) against "walls" as you may need the space later. Be compact.

Now for departure from your panel buck. Most wires can collect and go vertical along the sides of the center section. Outboard of vertical rails against the firewall, then inside the rails under the center section back to the spar. I found that wires don't criss/cross very well under the fuel valve, but do travel fine out to the outboard spar though holes. I did route my static under the upper longeron and my ELT wires but that takes preplanning and work to install some attachment points or a mounted 1/2" ID tube through the main cabin area for wire protection.

btw, I had to add an extension for my OAT probe - it's ok (per Garmin) if you use similar wire, I soldered the joints.
 
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