Hi , I will like to share the update on my kit fox 1994 vixen 5
http://http://www.teamkitfox.com/For...pictureid=4932
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Hi , I will like to share the update on my kit fox 1994 vixen 5
http://http://www.teamkitfox.com/For...pictureid=4932
Plucked up all my courage the other day and started cutting my new panel for the Mangy Fox…
The greatest hits being: Dynon D180, Garmin 500 in a Gizmo, iCom A210, Garmin GTX 327.
Real wood veneer over aluminum. I think i will eventually mount an iPad in place of the panel i have now.
Well I have finally got my upgraded the Panel on N703KA, went from an AF3500 to the AF5600. It was a fun swap. The week I got it in I ended up getting Diverticulosis again, 2 weeks of bed rest, liquid diet, 7 days of 2 different antibiotics, and a $1800 Cat Scan, and I’m doing better. All I have left to do is all of the calibrations work setting up the Oil Sensors, Fuel Sensors, Water Temps, Com Radio, Transponder, and calibrate the Magnetometer.
I also replaced the tail wheel tube, it was almost flat on my last landing. I aired it up after the last flight before sending off my AF3500, and then when I got the AF5600 in I went to the airport and found it flat again. I bit the bullet, ordered a new tube, when I pulled the wheel, the tube had a small wheel pinch. I plan on getting a tire patch, and fix the hole so I can use it as a spare. I also did a through exam of the engine and found that I was missing one Exhaust springs, got that ordered, and then noticed the bracket for the electronics module on top of the engine broke again, so I’ll be ordering another one, tomorrow, and get that replaced.
Then I’m ready to go flying. :D
Paul,
Your upgrade looks great, bet you can't wait to get back in the air with it. I am just about done with the installation of my panel that has the Garmin G3X Touch 10" screen and can't wait to power it up. I won't be long and I will be posting a picture in this thread.
Reading about your bracket that cracked again and missing exhaust springs I am curious if you have done a dynamic balance on your prop. Sometimes these things happens from vibration coming from the engine & prop.
I got all of my wiring done today other than hooking up the harnesses that go in the wing (nav, strobe, landing lights and magnetometer). After confirming all of the circuits and plugs to my Garmin G3X plugs we turned on the master switch. :D Next we checked one circuit at a time, cranked the engine and booted up the G3X. I was nervous, but everything worked great. What an exciting day!
WaHoo, I got it all set up. The Com Radi is connected & interfaces with the AF 5600. I successfully flipped channels on the Advanced Flight, and then selected the Tower, Grround a Control, etc. You can see the channels match on the Garmin & the AF. Tomorrow I go out and do the two step dance (360 spin) with her to set the Magnatometer, and I'm ready to go flying. Looking at the heading it's damned close without doing the Calibration of the Magnatometer.
Sweeeeeet. And to think, I have to look out the windo to see that view!;)
I get to see the view also, both outside the cockpit and inside. The nice thing is the font on the Engines Instruments are large enough for me to read. I don't need to take off my glasses, and put my face about 6 to 9 inches from the advanced flight system to read the numbers. :D. I can now read them with my glasses and sit back and enjoy the flight.
Here's mine as of today. All MGL.
Attachment 9362
Attachment 9363
Attachment 9364
Attachment 9365
Here is my panel now almost finished!
There are some might fine panels showing up on your planes:)
Reminded me of an addition to ours I haven't said anything about. Stein Air has a neat red LED strip that sticks under the lip of the panel (about 1/2" wide and 1/8" thick). It has a rheostat to adjust the brightness from off to full bright.
Please disregard distraction of the map light and the light from the ceiling, but you get the idea.
Also have an LED by each rear spar that gives a dim red fill in light to the whole cockpit.
The LED strip adjusts to an even illumimation of the entire panel (when it is actually dark)
No squinting required...not like the not so good old days:)
Sincerely,
Dave S
KF 7 Trigear
912ULS Warp Drive
Update - All the "stuff" is in. Next up is paint then wiring. Should be done in a couple weeks if I can stay out of Arizona....
Jeff,
Very nice. I especially LOVE the wine glasses hanging from the windscreen!!!!
:D I'm all about cupholders...!
If you can really do all the paint and wiring in two weeks, that would be beyond impressive!
I cheat... I work for a big defense contractor in the wiring and interconnect department. :)
This panel really isn't that difficult. The EIS and EFIS harness is largely complete from GRT, just have to terminate the other end. Rest is pretty straightforward.
The iffy part will be the painting. Weather here is still a bit cool. Not easy to paint without a paint shop environment.
I have a panel! Started wiring it yesterday morning and finished this morning. After power checks I pushed in the breakers and everything came up!
Now to take it all apart and get it painted...
Looking good Jeff!
Got a question - looks like you have some type of switches along the bottom of the panel with indicator lights.....what brand and model are they?
Dave S
Dave,
They are NTE Round Hole Illuminated Rocker, Square Bezel switches. LEDs come in red (54-645), amber (54-645A), green (54-645G) and blue (54-645B). They run $3.50 to just under $5 each. I get mine from arcade-electronics.com for about $3.50 each although the big stores carry them too. I like to support the little shops...
Spec sheet attached.
These switches are rated 20A at 12VDC!
I am using a dimmer as they can get pretty bright and if you plan on any night flying they might be a bit much. The dimmer I found that works with these lights is from Oznium.com.
https://www.oznium.com/led-dimmer-knob
Regards
Jeff
Thanks for the info Jeff....the 20 amp rating is great; also, the dimmer spec says up to 6 amps of LEDs - more than enough reserve!
Dave s
When you hook the switch up pin 1 is 12v supply, pin 2 is the load, and pin 3 goes to the - output of the dimmer. The + output of the dimmer is not used. The Input + and - of the dimmer need to be connected to your lighting power source and ground. Be advised that this dimmer pulls power in the off state so you need to be able to isolate power from this circuit when the aircraft is not in use.
Nice thing about the dimmer is that it has an off position and has a slight resistance to rotation. Also comes with a black and a chrome knob so you can pick which you like.
Regards
Jeff
Very!! nice layout. What is the MGL instrument you have and how do you like the white panel color? Thinking of doing mine in white.
Mark
Its an MGL E-1 used to replace the old quad gauge. I'm very happy with it.
I like the white panel color. It helps me to separate the instruments when scanning across them. I noticed when I was flying the 172 with the black panel the instruments all sort of blended together and it took me a little longer to focus on one.
I would think white might be too much glare if the sun was shining in somewhat from the rear directly on the panel. I would suggest some lighter matt finish color in between white and black. My 2 cents (glare really bothers my eyes).
It's actually more of a creme color with a satin finish so it's not glossy. I've never had a glare complaint from the panel. The dash you would definitely want something that doesn't cast a glare on the windshield though.
I'm thinking of using white epoxy primer with a gloss reducing additive which also tones down the bright white because of the additives tea like color. My glare shield will remain black. I just bought the MGL RV-1 Infinity for Rpm, the Velocity AHRS with SP6 Magnetometer for compass only for now and the V6 transceiver. I will have a mix of vintage steam and modern digital and wont have to screw the compass to the glare shield.
I didn't want the potential of glare from my instrument panel when using the G3X so I stuck with flat grey and flat black.
A light color panel can reflect more light onto other things, like your clothes which can be seen on the instruments or screens of your panel.
Never the less I really like the look of gregsgt's panel, the instruments really stand out.
Started My IP this weekend not quite finished yet But it is started,
Looks good TJay...I see you have lightening holes on the sides...are you planning to remain as is without a center console to reduce completion weight as well? Love the CF panel! Looks really clean.
nah Ill build a small console in there to to hide everything, Thanks
Still wiring,simple panel, 796,G-5,305 A/P, EI,egt,cht fuel,oil,volt, 240 audio,comm1 gtr225,comm2 sl40,327 transponder,composite electric panel and a couple steam. Lots of work. Going all glass on my rv-9a
Panel is finally installed! I might swap out the ugly silver placard for a more discreet version.......
That's beautiful, Mike! Very professional job... you've got "glass" in more ways than one - what kind of finish is that? Very nice. What did you do on the glareshield?
Gizmos - I really like your's too!
I should have started to pay more attention to all these works of art in this thread before forging ahead with mine.
Hi John,
Thanks for the compliments. I used Ranthane paint for the plane and panel. I set the panel perfectly flat and loaded it up with paint!
For the glareshield I used black microfiber cloth.
Oh man, another guy I won't be able to park my Kitfox next to! Nice job Mike very professional and clean . A well thought out panel indeed. Bruce N199CL
Yes indeed, that is one beautiful panel. My only concern would be reflection you are going to get, especially since the KF has the full skylight. I get plenty of reflection off of my screens alone.
Have you thought about making the placard with white font and black background?
I have had similar panels (gloss black) in all my planes.... RV-4, RV-10, and now the KitFox. It has never been an issue for me, even in the bubble canopy of the -4...... I did order the white lettered dry transfer placard/decal from AS&S, it should arrive tomorrow. I may swap it out, we'll see.
G'day Mike,
That panel certainly does look very nicely planned out and executed and I'm sure it'll be a pleasure to fly behind.
Can I ask where you got your switches and what model/type they are. I much prefer those to the 'normal' toggle switches and like the way you've incorporated them into the panel. I am quite willing to steal the idea of anybody who comes up with a design like yours :D