Tires, Tubes and Wheels

This afternoon I started on the landing gear installation.  I took the nose wheel halves apart.  I also began to dissemble one of the main gear wheels.

I purchased some Gold Bond powder, which contains talc.  I sprinkled the powder on the tube and inside of the tire.  I put the tube in the tire and inserted the nose wheel halves.  I bolted the wheel sections together.  I purchased a valve core tool and removed the valve core.  I inflated and deflated the tire several times.  I reinstalled the core and inflated the tire to 28 lbs.  I will continue to work on the main gear wheels and tires every time I get a few moments.

Turtle Deck Skin and Fuel Tank

Progress on the 12 has slowed even more.  Our son and his little family are staying with us for 6-weeks while he is doing a medical rotation at the VA Hospital Podiatry Clinic.  There is lots to do with them so I have had little time to work on the airplane.  This afternoon I removed the turtle deck and cleaned the squeezed out Proseal from around the filler neck.  I set up to repaint the filler tube, neck and inside skin.  I also removed the fuel tank and installed the modified floor and bulkhead covers.  With the tank out and the airplane once again on it's side I replaced the ADAHRS AOA fitting.  This time it is not cross threaded.

After applying a new coat of finish on the inside surfaces I reinstalled the fuel tank and righted the fuselage.    I am nearly ready to start the installation of the landing gear.

Install Fuel Tank and Filler Neck

This evening I installed the fuel tank again.  I bolted it in place and attached the filler tube to the turtle deck.  I then mixed some Proseal and put a layer on the filler tube flange.  I clecoed one hole and then installed the screws and nuts to hold it in place.  I put Beolube on the inside of the turtle deck before attaching the filler tube.

After the Proseal cures I will clean off the excess and repaint the inside of the turtle deck.

Call to Dynon Support

I placed a call to the Dynon Support Team.  The fellow I talked with was very kind and understanding.  I am glad that he was willing to help me and not laugh at me.  After I told him what I did and what happened with the system he had a simple question.  He asked, "did you configure the hardware?"  I said, "all I did was power the system."  He told me to turn to page 4-8 of the installation manual and follow the procedures outline there.  He added, "after you have configured the system if you still have a problem call us back."  I powered-up the system and proceeded to follow the instructions to configure the system.  After detecting the devices it showed that the firmware was not up to date.  I updated the firmware and viola, the system came on.  

I re-installed the ADAHRS in the tailcone.  I will reinstall the fuel tank and seal the filler tube to the turtle deck.

Power Up Skyview

On the way home this evening I purchased a 12V battery to power-up the avionics.  Before testing the avionics I decided to install the fuel tank and attach the filler tube to the turtle deck.  I set the tank in place and proceeded to install and tighten the bolts.  I clecoed the right half of the turtle deck to the fuselage.  After that I put the filler tube on the tank and clecoed the tube flange to the turtle deck.

I will need to mix some Proseal to attach the filler flange to the turtle deck.  I decided to test the avionics.  I used some test leads to hook the batter to the power connection on the backside of the fuse/switch module.  When I made the connection the fan in the control module started up and the Skyview screen came on.  It showed the Dynon logo and then changed to a list of commands.  

I waited for the system to finish booting.  It wasn't long until the map showed up on the screen with a large red 'X' and the warning message "ADAHRS FAIL.  I powered the unit down and tried again.  The same results occurred.  I made the assumption that the Skyview was not detecting the ADAHRS.  

I removed the fuel tank and unbolted the ADAHRS.  I disconnected the D-sub and OAT harness.  Using a small jumper I connected a pair of wires in the D-sub and using my multi-meter I checked the continuity of the wires.  They were fine.  There are 8-wires from the control module to the ADAHRS.  Using the jumper and multi-meter I checked all 8-wires.  They are all good.  

I will call Dynon tomorrow and see if they can suggest a solution.  I covered the instrument area with some plastic sheet to keep the area clean.

Install SL-40 Radio

Today I installed the radio tray and then installed the radio.  I ran the harness to the control module and inserted the D-sub connector to the module.  I also wire tied some of the harness wires and final installed the cushioned clamp to the instrument shelf.

Install Fuse/Switch Module

The parts from Van's came in the mail today.  I replaced the broken corner stud/stand-off and installed the module to the panel and the panel to the instrument supports.  I installed the screws holding the panel to the supports and instrument shelf.  It is looking pretty good.  I ran the wiring harness through the cushioned clamp but there is not enough space to run it through the snap bushing in the stack support.  I will wire tie it to the wires before and after the bushing.

I removed the SL-40 radio from the tray.  I attached the antenna to the tray.  I am now ready to attach the tray to the supports.

ADAHARS and ELT Installation

This afternoon I installed the ADAHRS (air data/attitude/heading reference system) and the ELT (emergency locator transmitter) in the fuselage.  First I started the day by putting the black screws and washers in the bottom and sides of the left and right instrument panels.  I will install them in the center section after I received the replacement post for the fuse/switch module Van's mailed to me.  I ordered the black oxide screws and washers from Fastenal.  I think they look good.

I then tackled the ADAHRS.  It is installed in the tailcone.  I left the wire ties around the cables attaching  the ADAHRS cables to the fuselage frame so I could pull the slack out of the them after installing the module.  I inserted the D-sub connector and the Molex connector with the OAT wiring to the back of the ADAHRS.  I then searched for the brass screws to attach the module to the brackets.  I could not find them.  I decided to go to Home Depot and purchase some 6-32 brass screws.  I spent a whole $1.05 on a package of brass screws and returned home.  I installed the ADAHRS module with red Loctite.  I also pulled the slack out of the cables and tightened the wire ties.

I then clecoed the ELT mounting plate to the fuselage and drilled the matching #30 holes for the rivets.  I deburred the holes and then installed the mounting plate.  I crimped a ground wire onto the black wire from the buzzer with a butt splice.  I crimped a ring connector on the end of the new ground wire.  I crimped a butt splice to the red wire and installed the buzzer.  I laid the ELT on the mounting plate and installed the phone cable to the ELT connector adapter.  I crimped red and black wires from the buzzer to the red and black wires from the adapter.  I also attached the blue wire from the adapter to the GPS wire previously installed to the ELT location.  I installed the antenna on the bracket I put in last evening and hooked up the coax cable between the antenna and the ELT unit.  As I attached the connection adapter the unit squealed and the red light came on.  I realized I had turned the remote switch on the instrument panel to the 'on' position.  I turned it off and installed the adapter.  All went well.