Budget Help for New Guy

[VictorV]

If you're going to do your own wiring don't forget the cost of the Tefzel wire. You probably need to budget at least $1000 for that and another $700 for misc wiring supplies. You'll need a decent soldering iron and a heat gun.

Other items
- Current Shunt x2
- Stick Grips x2
- Primary Battery
- Backup Battery
- Battery chargers
- ELT
- Install kits for all Garmin components
- Ground blocks
- USB outlets
- Misc electrical connectors x10
- wire crimper
- swage tool

[Payton]

There's some great feedback here from others. I don't see paint or paint supplies on here but that adds up fast. I would budget $3K-$4K for special tools, a $2500 fudge factor for parts you mess up, etc. With today's pricing I would budget $150K for the plane you're looking to build. I think that's pretty realistic but others may disagree.

yea the install kits for all the Garmin stuff is already included in the budget. The wire is really the only thing I haven?t really looked into yet. Thanks!

[jiott]

$1700 for wire and wiring supplies sounds way to high to me. I doubt I spent more than ~$500-700, not counting tools, batteries, etc.

[alexM]

What's the soldering iron for?

[VictorV]

What's the soldering iron for?

You need it for CAN Bus connections as well as couplers (if needed). There were a few times when I needed to extend a wire.

$1700 for wire and wiring supplies sounds way to high to me. I doubt I spent more than ~$500-700, not counting tools, batteries, etc.

The total you spend on wire depends on the complexity of your electrical design. Here are some examples:

1. Ground bus bar $70
2. 22 awg Tefzel wire $0.50/foot
3. 22 awg Tefzel 4-conductor shielded wire $4.50/foot
4. RG-400 coax cable $3.75/foot
5. Avg connector $20

My electronics consisted of:

• G3x
• AOA display
• AP control
• GTR 200 radio
• CO detector
• 4-switch stick grips
• Vertical Power VPX-pro
• 915is electronics/wiring
• Full set of lighting
• magnetometer
• Earthx battery
• ELT
• USB power x3
• headphone outlets
• backup battery
• Garmin Engine Info System
• Waas GPS
• Safety Trim Booster
• OAT
• Transponder
• 3-axis AP
• CAN bus serial backup links

It came out to about 225 individual wires. It really depends on on how many features you want.

[stuartbw]

I know AP in a bushplane sounds silly to most. But I've found it is a real help. It's nice on XC when you can just click it and relax a bit. These planes are made to never fly straight and level on their own. I find it a much more enjoyable to hit the blue button and be able to focus on other things. Not sure I'd have spent the money on it, but they builder that started my kit did.

Brett

Idaho
2023 Kitfox 7, 912 ULS

[VictorV]

I know AP in a bushplane sounds silly to most. But I've found it is a real help. It's nice on XC when you can just click it and relax a bit. These planes are made to never fly straight and level on their own. I find it a much more enjoyable to hit the blue button and be able to focus on other things. Not sure I'd have spent the money on it, but they builder that started my kit did.

Brett

Idaho
2023 Kitfox 7, 912 ULS

I mainly got it as a safety feature. I'm now realizing how nice it will be for longer trips.

[Barfbag]

Hello Payton,

Welcome aboard from a local builder. I'm building a SS7 at my home in Sherman. You are more than welcome to come up anytime and see my build.
I retired from AA a few months ago. Fly safe!! Len