Instrument Fit

[JayH]

Big problems today. Slid my new Dynon D6 into the top center 3 1/8 instrument hole. Fit perfect right up until I put the pitot fitting and the power plug in the back. I ran into that 3/8 vertical channel running from the base of the "V" bar to the "X" brace under the boot cowl. No way, no how can I get it in there.

I do have a 2 1/4 hole right below holding my compass that appears to have alot of room behind the panel for the Dynon. Has anyone ever enlarged a 2 1/4 to 3 1/8 hole without removing the panel?? I don't particularly like that spot, as it seems I'm looking down on the Dynon. Plus, then I have to get a hole reducing plate and mount the compass top center in the big hole. Kind of looks like crap in a new panel.

The D6 is identical in demensions to the D10. Would anyone have any suggestions or ideas for my $1600 problem. Has anyone ever altered that vertical channel some, and if so, how did you do it?

Any help appreciated,
Jay

 

[Moose Turner]

instrument fit

Big problems today. Slid my new Dynon D6 into the top center 3 1/8 instrument hole. Fit perfect right up until I put the pitot fitting and the power plug in the back. I ran into that 3/8 vertical channel running from the base of the "V" bar to the "X" brace under the boot cowl. No way, no how can I get it in there.

I do have a 2 1/4 hole right below holding my compass that appears to have alot of room behind the panel for the Dynon. Has anyone ever enlarged a 2 1/4 to 3 1/8 hole without removing the panel?? I don't particularly like that spot, as it seems I'm looking down on the Dynon. Plus, then I have to get a hole reducing plate and mount the compass top center in the big hole. Kind of looks like crap in a new panel.

The D6 is identical in demensions to the D10. Would anyone have any suggestions or ideas for my $1600 problem. Has anyone ever altered that vertical channel some, and if so, how did you do it?

Any help appreciated,
Jay

Drill 4 new mount holes using 3 1/8" template, attach 4"x4" x 1/8" plywood (with center marked) behind panel and drill out with 3 1/8" hole saw.

 

[Grant]

Can you space it out toward the pilot? I'm not sure how the Dynon mounts.

A pictures worth a thousand words.

 

[mike mcs repair]

Chop out the 3/8 channel....

Any cub within center stack has this done already.... Common.... YMMV

Edit: And I see you are experimental, so there's not even a big legal discussion to worry about....

 

[JayH]

Mike,
That sounds like the perfect solution. I did not know how much support that 3/8 channel actually provided and to what. Getting in and out of the plane, I yank on those "V" bars quite a bit and did notice some flex in them.
What does that channel support and what was its purpose, if it were to happen to disappear tomorrow?

Grant,
I looked at that as well, but it puts the unit quite a ways out into your lap, less than desireable.

 

[aktango58]

Big torch, chop saw and a few taps with a 20 lb hammer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Sheesh, why do I have to remind folks the proper tools: cut to size, beat to shape, shim to fit!!!!!

(remember to have the extinguisher ready when you use most tools, and health insurance)

 

[Steve Pierce]

George, We have yet to see any pictures of your project. Dieing to see your craftsmanship.

 

[aktango58]

"Don't worry about it, you will never recognize it." (from Animal House)

 

[Iflylower]

Here is the panel I'm working on. I have a D6 in the bottom center and here's my thinking...

Listening to Greg Miller and other adventure flyers, their primary instruments are airspeed and GPS ground speed. When I fly small planes, no question, I mostly look at airspeed, altitude and ground track. This is a vfr plane, while I have the D6 for the encoder, it's also back up as/alt and as a safety wing leveler case I accidently touch a cloud or fog. For any of those occasions, having my head inside, another 4 inches down won't hurt anything. To me the D6 is a backup instrument since my GPS is bracketed by airspeed and altimeter on either side.

BTW, I think either Miller or Loni said go into the GPS and select GS in the upper left corner in BIG NUMBERS since ground speed is so important for water skimming up to a sand bar.

Next I'll post an idea for putting in the panel.

 

[Iflylower]

Putting a 3 1/8 over 2 1/4 instrument, I suppose there are many options.

First, I'd pull the panel to make it easier to work on. You probably could work on it in place, but I think it'd be easier to just pull it.

Space wasn't a huge problem for me, but it's tight and I had to work on the right nylon hose connections and T's to get it to work.

You might start by placing and drilling your four corner mounting holes. After those are drilled, I'd drill in and cleco or throw in screws to hold a blank piece of .40 square aluminum that will cover the 2 1/4 hole. Center your 3 1/8 mount holes and drill a center reference hole. Now you can press cut your hole, circle cutter, 3 1/8 clamp press cutter etc.

Good luck.

There are probably others with more experience and better ideas for you. I hope they post.

 

[JayH]

Iflylower,
Thanks for the response. I have opted to move it down to the lower level. If I cut the 3/8 channel out, I think I will still run the pitot/static fitttings into the "V" bar cluster under there.
I am going to delicately try Moose's method(above post). Tearing that whole panel out would be a chore to say the least. I think I can mask things off and protect everything to slowly turn a
jigged up hole saw in there. I'll keep you posted.

Jay

 

[Steve Pierce]

Find an instrument punch and punch the bigger hole with the panel in place.

 

[behindpropellers]

I have a punch you could borrow.....

Tim

 

[JayH]

Thanks for the respones guys. I did use a punch on the whole panel, worked great. However, the guy that has the punch I used is Arizona for the winter. I would still have to jig a plate in there though, as the punch I used was center hole based. If I remember, the bolt to pull the punch was based off of dead center. I'll keep you posted.

Jay

Thanks for the offer Tim, we'll see what happens here.

 

[mike mcs repair]

Thanks for the respones guys. I did use a punch on the whole panel, worked great. However, the guy that has the punch I used is Arizona for the winter. I would still have to jig a plate in there though, as the punch I used was center hole based. If I remember, the bolt to pull the punch was based off of dead center. I'll keep you posted.

Jay

Thanks for the offer Tim, we'll see what happens here.

Test on scrap if using hole saw... They can be much bigger hole than indicated.....

 

[JayH]

Project is complete. Came out good. Mike, I did size up the saw to an existing 3 1/8 hole and it looked good, so I jumped in with both feet. Here are some photos. Hope they are not too big, tried to resize with no luck on my system.

I appreciate all the responses and input, I think it'll work.

Jay

 

[Iflylower]

Looks Great! Now, what's going top center? GPS?

 

[JayH]

Well, I got a reducer plate and will put my compass in there for now. Actually, that hole is where I have had the best response from the compass.
So compass for now.

Jay

 

[Steve Pierce]

I have done the same thing by marking the hole with a circle template and then lining up the instrument hole punch. Nice panel, I like your layout.

 

[JayH]

Thanks Steve.