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07-21-2008, 03:58 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,685
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Center Console in RV-6A
I put built a center console out of aluminum to house many things and place controls in the location I wanted them (manual pitch trim, fuel pump, primer solenoid, fuel pump switch, primer switch, two fuel valves, four fuel filters, all interconnecting fuel lines, all wiring and coaxes routing aft of the spar and "cigarette lighter" power outlet). Access has not been a problem. lateral movement of legs toward the center of the plane is restricted but these all look OK. I actually rebuilt my console because the original was too wide and restrictive. It is definitely something you want to keep narrow. I had to rotate my fuel valves 45 degrees and reindex the knobs to accomodate the narrower console.
Bob Axsom
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07-21-2008, 04:26 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3
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Great job - quick question....
Jon,
This looks great. Is there any concern about bumping the throttle with your elbow when you switch tanks?
Also - does center armrest double as a sectional box.
Kevin
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07-21-2008, 09:18 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: metro Kansas City, MO
Posts: 138
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Stitching...
Carl:
The stitching was professionally done by Flightline Interiors. It looks like leather but it is actually a vinyl. I have been quite happy with it. I had several colors to choose from. The gray I chose is a very close match for the existing colors. When I redo the interior, who knows if I'll change it? Flightline's work is included in the purchase price.
__________________
Keith E. Schult
RV-6A (flying)
VAF #368 EAA Chapter #91
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07-22-2008, 06:05 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Richmond, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 184
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N941WR
Here is the big one; switches on the sub-panel are a problem for me. I used toggle switch-breakers and while they work great, climbing in with long pants on can be a problem. It turns out you and your passenger have to be very careful not to snag the switches with your pant legs. This is true, even with the recesseded sub-panel. If you can do it, I HIGHLY recommend using rocker type switches and switch-breakers. Yes they cost more but they look cool and eliminate this minor problem. Just my $.02.
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Hi Bill -
I have previously flown in Peter James RV-7 (Riveting Experience aka Riv-Ex) and he has a centre console made from glass. He addressed the same issue by installing switch guards on either side of the toggle switches (small aluminium "d"shaped loops which protect the switch). I will be doing the same or alternatively installing rocker switches.
The issue in that case was relevant to the centre console as well.
In regards to my sub-panel I am installing the EXP-BUS which has rocker switches so hopefully this won't be too big an issue.
Your comment is an important consideration so I may move the proposed toggle switches on the center console further inboard as well.
Thanks/regards,
JON.
__________________
Jon Clements
RV-7 VH-JWC (Flying)
Little River Airfield, Victoria, Australia
ASP IO-360-M1 Hartzell CS Blended Airfoil
Dual GRT HX, GNS 430W, TruTrak DII VSGV, SL40, GTX327, PSE 9000EX, AVMAP EKP-IV.
Approach Fast Stack Integration.
Classic Aero Interior.
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07-22-2008, 06:09 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Richmond, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 184
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or make it easy to remove..
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Originally Posted by caryr
i have a center console in the -7.
I wouldn't ever do that again.
Its just way to tight to lay under the panel and get to anything.
As someone said --brakes --- they are nearly impossible to repair/maintain
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This is a good reason to design the console as a modular system for easy removal......
__________________
Jon Clements
RV-7 VH-JWC (Flying)
Little River Airfield, Victoria, Australia
ASP IO-360-M1 Hartzell CS Blended Airfoil
Dual GRT HX, GNS 430W, TruTrak DII VSGV, SL40, GTX327, PSE 9000EX, AVMAP EKP-IV.
Approach Fast Stack Integration.
Classic Aero Interior.
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07-22-2008, 06:13 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Richmond, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 184
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kbonline1968
Jon,
This looks great. Is there any concern about bumping the throttle with your elbow when you switch tanks?
Also - does center armrest double as a sectional box.
Kevin
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Hi Kevin -
Yes - the center console provides a LARGE map box under the arm rest. The arm rest lifts up with a hinge point at the rear.
Throttle is not in the way for changing fuel because the selector is relatively elevated in front of the throttle arm. I don't see any issues in this respect. The Andair has a very positive action yet is easy to turn and you have to lift the button on the selector arm to turn it off so it can't be "bumped" off.
Regards
JON
__________________
Jon Clements
RV-7 VH-JWC (Flying)
Little River Airfield, Victoria, Australia
ASP IO-360-M1 Hartzell CS Blended Airfoil
Dual GRT HX, GNS 430W, TruTrak DII VSGV, SL40, GTX327, PSE 9000EX, AVMAP EKP-IV.
Approach Fast Stack Integration.
Classic Aero Interior.
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07-22-2008, 06:48 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Richmond, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 184
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Gasman has identified some important points for consideration...
Quote:
Originally Posted by gasman
JON............
The seats are 16" wide, and I wear W33 L32 LEVIS non shrink. I am 173# and I overlap the 16" seat. There is 3"+ between the seats. My point is, you can't have any part hang over the sides. In your pictures above, you can see where the problems are. Not only will your passenger bang the stick now and then, but their leg will conflict with the controls.
In the lower pictures,(the throttle handle is not installed) you can see what I did to solve that problem. The throttle and prop was trimmed at the bottom. The mixture and prop was trimmed at the top. In the side view you can see where the orig. holes were. Orig. is the lower ones. The unit comes with all three holes in line. The throttle must be drilled just above (or under) the others to avoid a conflict with each other.
For the friction knob......... Remove it. It is in the way. In the place of the knob, just use a nylock nut. SET IT AND FORGET IT.
In the center picture you can see what I did to hold the cable liner. With this, you make adjustments right at that location. It uses 3 nuts
This is just another item that is in the box of STUFF TO SELL because I changed my mind.......  It gets expensive..... I currently fly a very lite 6A 320 fp. And am building another 6A 360 and it will be fp and KISS all the way and be lite...lite......lite..... But you see that's what I WANT.
As far as starting......... With your right hand on the throttle, you are then going to reach over with your left hand to work the key switch..  can you do that?
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Hi Gasman -
The design of the top mini-panel (triangular) section is critical to achieve good knee clearance. I tried various options and this set-up works really well. It is critical to fold the sides of the triangular section well back underneath themselves to realign with the main console inboard. This allow you to spread your knees under the return because it is elevated well above the main console profile. These images should help make sense of this approach...
You are right about the overhangs of the Throttle Handle, Mixture and Pitch controls. I had planned to shorten them in the same way that you have so that they don't get in the way - it's just a job that will follow further down the track. This is important because they will be in the way otherwise.
Interestingly my holes (for cable connections) in my throttle quadrant were already offset so I don't need to re-drill them as in your case....obviously they can't be aligned or the cables connections will clash due to the limited clearance between the actuating arms.
In regards to the friction knob - dimensionally it was basically luck but it fits so neatly that it is essentially out of the way. I would prefer to be able to adjust the friction in flight which is possible the way I have set it up.
An important consideration in relation to understanding my panel layout and console set-up is that I will be flying PIC from the right seat. I'll post a panel shot in a couple of weeks which will make things clearer however in a nutshell my panel is essentially symmetrical however priority analogue instruments for aerobatics are located on the RHS - these being back-up ASI, VSI and G-meter. The GRT dual screens are great for this purpose because you can show whatever page you want on either screen. AVMAP (VFR GPS) is in the center (as are comms, xponder, intercom panel) and the GNS 430W is to be located on the LHS below the GRT. If I ever sell the plane it makes the set-up suitable for PIC on either the left or right side. In reality I will probably fly it from both sides but I prefer to fly aeros with my right hand on stick (I am a glider pilot also...).
To address the start switch issue I am installing a starter button on both infinity stick grips (with a separate isolation switch on panel) so you don't have reach the key switch over the other hand whilst grasping the stick between your knees.
Good feedback Gasman - important considerations for anyone who is considering heading down this path.....
Thanks
JON.
__________________
Jon Clements
RV-7 VH-JWC (Flying)
Little River Airfield, Victoria, Australia
ASP IO-360-M1 Hartzell CS Blended Airfoil
Dual GRT HX, GNS 430W, TruTrak DII VSGV, SL40, GTX327, PSE 9000EX, AVMAP EKP-IV.
Approach Fast Stack Integration.
Classic Aero Interior.
Last edited by Jon Clements : 07-22-2008 at 06:51 AM.
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07-22-2008, 05:01 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Delft, the Netherlands
Posts: 216
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Different approach
Hi RVators,
During the process we shifted to a design which has no connection with the panel, mostly to create room for legs and maintenance. This works very well and is still quite sexyyyyyyyy  It has an armrest with a map box and a verrry nice throttle cover plate.
You can see the full design&build process on http://websites.expercraft.com/PHVII...y&log_id=11824 and beyond.
If anyone needs the cad files, they are available (for free) in Solidworks and in Acad.
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08-09-2008, 07:29 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northern California, USA
Posts: 537
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Here's mine
I've been doing some work under the panel, and it's not too bad. With the seats removed, I can wriggle my way between the stick and the center console and do what I need to...but I'm thin.
I know this doesn't meet some people definition of a center console, lacking throttle quadrant, but I like the push/pull power knobs.
__________________
Martin Gomez
Redwood City, CA
"My RV-7 is a composite airplane: it's made of aluminum, blood, sweat, and money"
RV-7 Slider QB
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01-28-2009, 09:17 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sun city, Ca.
Posts: 255
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here's mine
[IMG]  [/IMG]
Last edited by Cfrisella : 01-28-2009 at 09:21 PM.
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