![]() |
Quote:
Actually it'll be used every time the electrical system is turned on or off. The reason is that the MGL wiring is setup so that the EFIS runs off the backup battery when no other power is applied. If you kept the switch on all the time then it would drain the battery between flights and would take a long time to charge back up. If you kept the switch off, it never trickle charges the backup battery. So, on when the power comes on, off when it goes off. I figured a switch next to the Ebuss would be appropriate. |
Quote:
Of course, you can also have it give you an aural warning - which I plan to use. I love betty. :D |
OK, newest Revision
OK, I've used some of your suggestions. Bill R., I sat in my plane and found that with my hand on the throttle I was more comfortable with the flaps on the left and the carb heat on the right...not sure why, but chalk it up to personal preference.
I've also added the emergency brake, a 12V DC plug and rearranged the switches. I feel good about everything at this point. Thanks for everyone's help! ![]() |
Quote:
I put the flaps to the right of the TQ because that is where it was on the plane I learned to fly in. There is nothing wrong with your location, as long as you are happy with it. In my panel layout, I arranged the switches by what I call "phase of flight" rather than function. Thus all the lights are not grouped together. One thing I did was to put together a full size panel moc up and looked at every day for two months. In that time I kept moving things around until I was happy with it. |
Quote:
Steve RV7A |
Quote:
|
The concept of going with a cardboard mockup panel is an excellent one. I made a mockup with colour pictures of all the bits and pieces taped to the cardboard. That sat where I could see it from my office for over a month. Then I had a pilot friend over for a visit and as we sat in the living room I could see him eyeing up my panel mockup. He's a great guy and so didn't want to bruise my ego, but couldn't help himself and had to make a suggestion. That suggestion entailed large-scale change in the panel layout.
After another month or so of staring at the mockup I made a couple of minor tweaks and then cut the metal. Now, with about 40 hours on the new panel, I can honestly say that my investment in cardboard and scaled pictures was worth every second of time I put into it. And my friend's suggestions are what transformed this panel from a "good" panel to a "great" panel. After flying behind this panel I wouldn't change a thing, except I might consider using an electric primer instead of the Essex primer mounted in the panel. "Might" - I'm still not sure this luddite wants to depend on an electric primer. ;-) |
One quick point to add... Others here have suggested moving the ELT switch to the far side of the panel because it is infrequently used. I would caution against this approach. When you need to use an ELT switch the situation is grave and you likely won't have a whole lot of spare time on your hands. For that reason I would suggest mounting the ELT switch where it can quickly and easily be reached by your non-flying hand. Mine's installed under the EFIS do so I can hit it with either hand if necessary.
|
Quote:
You are also more apt to see the little LED flashing due to a false trigger if the ELT panel is in front of you. Did I miss the aux fuel pump switch on the panel layout? My panel has toggles, starting from the left, for master, fuel pump, left mag, right mag, strobes, etc, (the starter is off by itself so I can't hit it accidentally). That way the prestart flow is to start from the left and work to the right across the switches. Makes it harder to leave something out...... :) |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:06 AM. |