How to protect my avionics stack from water?

Post by **bullojm1** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:20 pm

One of the biggest concerns I have with a tip-up canopy is water dripping on the back of my avionics stack that penetrates the subpanel. Does anyone have any ideas on the best way I can go about protecting these expensive avionics?

The two ideas I have is to make a protections shell out of some 0.016" aluminum sheet or use a thick plastic drop cloth.

Any ideas are appreciated!

Brantel · Post by **Brantel** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:12 am

Good question....I have the same concern because I know that crap design that Van's has given us will leak like crazy!

Post by **Spike** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:05 am

I have been wondering the exact same thing.

I was thinking maybe a thin layup with a gutter or some such?

Spike

Brantel · Post by **Brantel** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:12 am

I have some scoops in the front where the canopy skin is higher than the front deck skins. I know some people put shims under there but that skin is really tight and I don't think I could ever raise it up to match properly without figure 8's in the rivet holes.

My thoughts are something like this...

Take a 1/4 x 1" piece of sticky back foam and lay it along the top of the angle that is suppose to support the seal for the canopy (attached to the subpanel facing aft).

Then with the canopy open, line the underside of the canopy skin and the canopy ribs and the top of the foam applied earlier with clear packing tape.

Once that is done and the front skin is riveted on, layup a couple layers of glass on the aft of the top skin overlaping the foam and then shut the canopy on this sandwich and let it cure. If their are any areas where the glass does not touch the underside of the canopy skin, I could add more buildup in that area.

This would serve to help me fill the scoops and would also give a nice flat custom fit shelf in which to put a good weatherstrip on to prevent leaks.

Am I crazy?

Post by **bullojm1** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:56 am

Are any of you guys worried about water getting in behind the subpanel? I don't know if it is possible for water to get behind it from the canopy frame pivot arms.

TomNativeNewYorker · Post by **TomNativeNewYorker** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:15 am

Sounds like a form in place gasket seal where the canopy mates at the place you think water will intrude.

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:34 pm

That is one of several reasons why I chose the slider! It is something to be concerned about.