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TheNewGuy

Well Known Member
Patron
Hi all, I’m installing an HS34 and GPS 175 in my RV-8. Due to the way the -8 panel is laid out, I’ll be cutting the panel in place.

I called a reputable avionics shop and was quoted $4–5k for the install, which seems pretty steep to me. At that price, I’m thinking I might as well do it myself.

My biggest concern is getting the panel cutout right. SteinAir built the harnesses, so the wiring side of things shouldn’t be too bad.

I picked up a set of nibblers to make the cut without making a mess or having a Dremel get away from me. For those who have done something similar, how many hours do you think I’m realistically looking at?
 
TheNewGuy said:
Hi all, I’m installing an HS34 and GPS 175 in my RV-8. Due to the way the -8 panel is laid out, I’ll be cutting the panel in place.

I called a reputable avionics shop and was quoted $4–5k for the install, which seems pretty steep to me. At that price, I’m thinking I might as well do it myself.

My biggest concern is getting the panel cutout right. SteinAir built the harnesses, so the wiring side of things shouldn’t be too bad.

I picked up a set of nibblers to make the cut without making a mess or having a Dremel get away from me. For those who have done something similar, how many hours do you think I’m realistically looking at?
Click to expand...
It's been a while but I'd guess my installation took about 10 hours, but I did already have the panel cutout as I had originally left a space and pre-installed a rack for a 430. When the 175 came out I decided to go that route so had to change racks and do all the wiring. Cutting the panel will add a few hours but I don't think it would be the difficult part. In my case, I had done the original install so was fairly comfortable with everything already, however. That's a long way of saying $4-5k is a lot but probably what they get away charging, and probably similar to what most shops would quote you.

Chris
 
I had a GPS 400W and HS34 installed in my RV12 a couple months ago and the bill for the installation was over $5,000. I also had the annual condition inspection done and the autopilot servo service bulletin too, so that inflates the price some. If I remember the invoice right, just the avionics install would've been around $4000.
 
TheNewGuy said:
Hi all, I’m installing an HS34 and GPS 175 in my RV-8. Due to the way the -8 panel is laid out, I’ll be cutting the panel in place.

I called a reputable avionics shop and was quoted $4–5k for the install, which seems pretty steep to me. At that price, I’m thinking I might as well do it myself.

My biggest concern is getting the panel cutout right. SteinAir built the harnesses, so the wiring side of things shouldn’t be too bad.

I picked up a set of nibblers to make the cut without making a mess or having a Dremel get away from me. For those who have done something similar, how many hours do you think I’m realistically looking at?
Click to expand...
In my experience with nibblers are they create thousands of little crescent shaped shards and are a little difficult to cut with precision. I would recommend you try yours on some scrap before touching the panel.
 
I suggest you remove the panel to make the needed cuts . Better yet get a new panel from Van’s and redo the whole cut job on the bench. Unless Van’s prices have really gone crazy buy two just in case (last panel redo I’d was for and RV-8, the aluminum was ~$36). Cutting can be done with a die grinder with a cut off wheel, a good Dremel, or a scroll saw. Finish with a good Vixen file and round the corners.

If the panel was poorly installed (as in you cannot easily remove it as an assembly) consider this opportunity to upgrade to make future maintenance or modifications a non-event.

Carl
 
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