This is why I come here!

[captain_john]

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/s ... p?t=138989

CJ

[painless]

That's as big *** of a reason as I can think of.

[captain_john]

It's a donkey!

CJ

[bullojm1]

You know what, when I read that thread on the VAF, it reminded me why I painstakingly run this forum and gladly took it over from Spike. I'm looking forward to seeing some of you at our Mid Atlantic Gathering of RV's this weekend, and the rest of you at Oshkosh!

Fun RivetBangers facts:

• Number of threads closed for further commentary: 0
• Number of threads deleted because they might offend my advertisers: 0
• Numbers of times I've asked for money: 0
• Number of forum members I'm good friends with: All of you ***'s!

[captain_john]

That's possibly the finest compliment you have ever given us!

CJ

[gbrasch]

Ditto Capt!

[BSwayze]

Me, too!!

[leffler]

You know what, when I read that thread on the VAF, it reminded me why I painstakingly run this forum and gladly took it over from Spike. I'm looking forward to seeing some of you at our Mid Atlantic Gathering of RV's this weekend, and the rest of you at Oshkosh!

Hmm, I guess I've been sleeping. I'm missed this year's notice. Unfortunately, I've got other commitments this weekend.

Is this the flyin that you host? I thought is was later in the year?

bob

[catmandu]

Bob, the thread is long in the tooth, Mike's post was made last June, Bruce just resurected it. I would bet Gathering Cinco is in June as well this year. I MIGHT have my panel back together by then.

[bullojm1]

Bob, the thread is long in the tooth, Mike's post was made last June, Bruce just resurected it. I would bet Gathering Cinco is in June as well this year. I MIGHT have my panel back together by then.

Mike -

Correct, this thread referred to last years RV Fly-in. I don't have an exact date for this year's fly-in, but when I do, you can be certain it will be posted here ASAP!

Panel back together? Whatcha doing to it? Pictures???

[catmandu]

Panel back together? Whatcha doing to it? Pictures???

I had about 70 AMU's of improvements I had collected, decided it was time to stop flying (dammit!) and start installing. Baby steps, engine monitor was first project, since there were other engine things to do. I should be able to knock an EIS install in about a week, right? And, having a baseline of engine data seemed like a good plan, prior to changing engine things

Firewall forward install went swimmingly. Then, I got to the cockpit.

I foresaw tens of hours upside down tracing 22 years of rat's nest wires. Decided to go nuclear, since a panel redo was in the plans anyway. Here's the beginning of the analog ripout, sans the GRT Sport, Trutrak Gemini, and Avionics I had already pulled:



New process with dropbox, did it work? Looks like it on my end.

Really no major upgrades, just an ergonomic layout upgrade, gutting a lot, installing the EIS, and upgrading radio to GNC255. Also redoing all the electrical to a "set it and forget it" buss system, 2 batts, 1 alternator: Lots of research (effing Shottkys!) and orders to Stein and Van's and eBay and Mouser. And more orders to Stein. And Van's . . . <sigh>

[cjensen]

Circuit breakers...eek! Big project...you should order a VP-X, set it, and forget it!

[bullojm1]

Mike,

I had great luck with the IXYS 45V 2X59A schottky diodes. What I like about these diodes is there are actually two independent diodes on each chip, it has screw terminals, and it doesn't need to be electrically isolated.




They've worked flawlessly over the past 6 years and 450 hours.

[ClaraM02]

Bob, the thread is long in the tooth, Mike's post was made last June, Bruce just resurected it meilleure assurance chien . I would bet Gathering Cinco is in June as well this year. I MIGHT have my panel back together by then.

I sincerely hope that you have a continuation of your story because it is very fascinating.

[catmandu]

I DO! Sorry for no follow up, especially since I hate as much in the online world.

This is how the panel ended up after the gut job:



The 'OMG! Circuit Breakers?' referenced above turned into a drop down fuse panel on a hinge in front of the left seat, as suggested by Dan Horton.

Schottky diodes ended up being my friend, I used the ones suggested by our host, as well as others. Sorry, don't have a diagram of my electrical system to post. But I annually test a full 30 minute IFR suite run (including autopilot) on my 12v 7ah E-batt, just before replacing it at the condition inspection. It has worked every time.

Best mod of all was getting rid of the column of aluminum below the panel, really nice to be able to stretch my legs side to side on long trips.

I eventually installed a Garmin 400W to better my IFR capability, and a GDL-82, and dabbled with a HUD:



I will go through this whole process again soon, as I have purchased another RV, and will soon sell this one.

[catmandu]

And I hope your are not an auto-bot because Mr. Bullock will fly south and kick my arse for validating your post and mucking up his message board.

[A2022]

several weeks ago I made a small statement at the end of a post on VAF supporting Ukraine in the war. the post was deleted and I asked the VAF owner to repost it and also to write "I support freedom and democracy for all". he could not write that statement. that's when I knew I needed to move away from that site. so, I'm here.

maybe a new shirt....

[catmandu]

Steve, my online friend. Your loft plan is estimated at $3.8 AMU's! I bet you paid less. Still gonna do it, I need the storage.

Doug is a good person, with a good family, he just draws lines, and he is allowed to do that, as an owner of a business, not that it has anything to do with beliefs. You might be surprised at what he supports.

Meanwhile, there are the bots of the world mucking up sites like this. To wit: ClaraMO2, Finchalex, above. Our host here is not so active, it seems. So, you get what you don't pay for.

Mike

[A2022]

hey, I paid less than 2K for everything 1.5 yrs ago, except that does not include lighting. prices are going up! I really like the loft. it a big plus but a lot of work to build. add a lot of lights, you will not regret it. I used 4K freq led lights with a plastic cover and I think they are good.

loft with a book. it's warm in the Wintertime up there.



*********
a lot of light is a good thing and this is not full intensity.