Access panels for RV-7A with slider
 

Behind the instrument panel up to the firewall my RV is pretty busy with wires and equipment.
The area under the glare shield is easy to get into with the Dynon screens removed.
The area immediately behind the firewall is far more difficult.
Ideally I would like to have top access to this area similar to that available with a lift up canopy.
Is there a recognised mod to put panels on the top cowling behind the engine cover and in front of the screen without disturbing the ribs?

My 9 has 3 panels in that area between the ribs. 2 would be more than sufficient.

I happen to be working on this same thing right now on my 7 with tip-up canopy. I'm referencing this example as I go: https://bowenaero.wordpress.com/2004...-panel-access/

I did the same thing
 

Mine are slightly larger than the pictured ones and I am thinking about installing a couple more, on top, similar to what my hangar neighbor has on his -7A.

I have been able to install a Dynon EMS 120 and a TruTrak Vizion 385, as well as some smaller installs, without ever having to get on my back under the panel. Planning a radio stack overhaul and thus contemplating the top panels.

R.

Access panel
 

I made a single access panel out of fiberglass. (I'm sure I borrowed the idea from someone on VAF. Will try to dig up pictures if you're curious.) Panel is about 14x6 centered between the windscreen and the firewall allowing access to the back of radio installation and various other stuff. Making the panel out of fiberglass allowed me to hide various GPS and Mx antennas underneath, easy to get to and out of sight.

I personally would not cut any panels in the skin forward of the windshield on my slider. I enjoy this area being dry if I fly through some rain and the ability to seal a panel to keep water out would difficult.

When laying out my slider panel and equipment I tried to located everything as low as possible. Now I realize that I have instruments at the top of my panel, but all of the wires come from the bottom. If I have to work on my panel I remove the seat backs (approx 1 minute per side) and I have some foam padding to put in the footwell area and seat area that levels it out and makes it very comfortable to lay down and work on anything behind the panel. I even updated my panel from all analog to a Dynon D100 EFIS using this method. All of my wire bundles route along the bottom edges of the bulkheads and are not visible or ever get in the way of normal operation.

Just my 2 cents.

Alternatives
 

May I suggest swing down panels, hinged at the firewall and secured to the mid subpanel with 2 Camlocs. Unlocking the Camlocs allows the panel to swing down resting on the pedals bar and allows good access to the wiring and plugs.
By pulling the hinge pin the whole unit can be removed. Mine has VP-Pro on one panel and Dynon back up batteries, transponder and Live battery bus on the other. The balance of the items (EMS, SV-HUB etc, are mounted on the mid panel and, as you mentioned, are easily accessed with the screens removed.
Cheers,
Mick Dundee
RV-7A Finished and going places ....

Instead of going thru the work to make the panels swing down, why not just mount the equipment on the bottom side of the panel? The equipment will work just a good upside down, with the eception of AhRS or something similar.

Be sure to safety wire those hinge pins! Having those components fall down around your feet while flying would not be a good thing.

Thanks for so much interest. Access panels are the way for me just to make things so much easier.
I really would be grateful for any pictures of existing installations on you own aircraft or any others.