~Panel Page 2~

Here the transponder, GPS/COM, and MicroMonitor trays are being installed.   The angle is riveted to the panel.  The rear angle really adds support, even though it is only attached to each unit.

Beginning the wiring of the circuit breakers.  I elected to go with breakers before I found out about Bob Knuckolls fuse block method.  (Sorry, Bob!)   The copper things are buss bars that send power to each row of breakers.  I am using Klixon breakers.  You can get surplus units for around $5-$7 each at B&B Aircraft Supply.  Normally, they are about $20 each.

This is where the light strips come through the back of the panel.   They are all wired in series back to the power supply.  The life of the strips are about 10,000 hours, so I don't think service life will be an issue.

Initial wiring of the radios.  I have a simple VFR panel, and let me tell you, this is complicated!  Martin at Aerotronics put it best, think about one wire at a time, and it will come together.

Here is a very important tip.  This is the back of the MicroEncoder.   If you build one of these, DO NOT build the wire harness that all of the altitude wires connect to the transponder.  The reason for this is if you have a panel mounted GPS, it also has to interface with the same wires.  I was not crazy about having two sets of altitude wires spliced to the harness wires somewhere between.  It would just not look that professional.  Go to an electronics store, (not Radio Shack) and get a 15 pin D-sub connector (the type you solder the wires into, not the crimp type) and run both sets of wires from the transponder and GPS directly into the connector, and solder each pair together right into the solder holes.  Then be sure to shrink tube over each pot.  The effect is a continuous wire harness that looks like it was built to interface between the units.  Otherwise, you would see shrink tubing or butt splices everywhere!

Ok...I am a photographer by trade, but unfortunately, digital cameras do not do well in low light, so please excuse the poor quality.  I will do a studio shot with good 'ole Fuji film and a tripod when I have the time, and provide a much more detailed image.  Just wanted to show what the panel will look like at night.  I used light bezels from UMA, as well as the previously described light strips for the lights, with the overlay by Steve Davis.  What is really great is that the light bezels, the light strips, and the Rocky Mountain instruments all use the same color of light.  Due to a design flaw in my panel, I will not be using a DG.

Here you can see the face of the UMA bezel.  It only sets the instrument back about 1/4".  Since it has a beveled edge that comes throught the hole on the panel, it has the appearance that the instrument is supposed to set back like this.  The color and brilliance of the light is much better than internally lit instruments.

Yes!  Another milestone.  The panel mounted.  There was alot of supporting structure that had to be added to reduce the shimmy factor.  Not shown is the many brackets and braces required to stiffen the whole structure (including the subpanel).  From here we start the wiring in the fuselage.  Click here to see the wiring page!