Front baggage well as battery compartment

GusRV8 · #1 01-13-2013, 05:35 PM

Am working on thinking through and then fabricating a battery mount structure for the front 'well'. Currently I have a Powersonic PSH-12180NB-FR battery on the bench that I'm thinking will be sufficient to crank an engine (high discharge capacity, 21AH) but I'm not sure. In light of that, I'm thinking that anything I fabricate needs to be backwards compatible with the larger battery mount (F-877A) provided by Van's (fits the aft location as well). I made mine up from one of the two extra cockpit 'column covers' (don't know the technical name nor have the part number handy).

(am trying to figure out how to insert a few pics here, my rules say i'm not allowed to post attachments)

I am thinking of tying into the front (firewall) and rear (just ahead of the gear tower) angles and into the sub-floor with spacers for structural support but am considering making the standoffs (to clear the mount platenuts that the battery tie down uses) either side by side reversible or same side turn around reversible to allow either a narrow (for my current battery) or wide (for the F-877A in the event I have to go with a larger battery later) battery mount.

Anyone have any pictures of how they skinned this cat that I can use for thought provoking options?

bird · #2 01-13-2013, 06:32 PM

This might help, I mounted the vans battery bracket inside the front baggage compartment on the passenger side. I added a stiffener underneath the floor. Have look at my site here, http://mykitlog.com/tcb328

Bird

Andy Hill · #3 01-14-2013, 12:28 AM

Personal opinion, but it is, to me, "tragic" to see an RV-8 spoiled by taking up the most useful baggage space* with a battery and/or electrical components, when the design offers 2 perfectly good battery locations and plenty of space for wiring etc.

* "Most useful" since it has a strong floor (unlike the rest of the fwd compartment), is quick and easy to access (unlike the rear), secured by key (unlike the rear), and for many types of baggage, can be wedged securely in against manoeuvring / turbulence i.e. does not need tying down.

jthocker · #4 01-14-2013, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Hill

Personal opinion, but it is, to me, "tragic" to see an RV-8 spoiled by taking up the most useful baggage space* with a battery and/or electrical components, when the design offers 2 perfectly good battery locations and plenty of space for wiring etc.

* "Most useful" since it has a strong floor (unlike the rest of the fwd compartment), is quick and easy to access (unlike the rear), secured by key (unlike the rear), and for many types of baggage, can be wedged securely in against manoeuvring / turbulence i.e. does not need tying down.

Well said Andy!!!

Pat Stewart · #5 01-14-2013, 05:48 AM

Search the threads, this one has been discussed many times. If you have an 0360 and constant speed put it in the back.

Tim Fitzpatrick · #6 01-15-2013, 08:07 AM

As I sit here in Kazakhstan unable to fly my plane (because it is 5,000 miles away) I find it somewhat annoying to have my aircraft that I built over a considerable length of time described as ?tragic? and ?spoiled? because I did not build it the way someone else thinks I should have. It is fine to state your reasoning for doing something one way or the other, however I find it very disturbing that someone would say such negative things about my aircraft. I know that you did not direct this at me personally, however I must wonder how many times people say things here in an inappropriate way. Let?s think about what we say and how we say it. Every aircraft that is built here is special and certainly a major milestone in many peoples life. Lets keep it positive,

Blue Skies

Bill Palmer · #7 01-15-2013, 09:15 AM

+1 for Tim, Bird, and Pat

-1 for Andy and Jon (?tragic? ?spoiled? ?well said? ???).

IMHO: There?s too much trashing of ?other? VAFer?s ideas, questions, and airplanes on VAF these days. How about just an objective, supportive response regarding the pros and cons of using, or not using, the 8/8A?s forward baggage well for something other than baggage as designed? (Andy, the second part of your post is helpful, but your first sentence is clearly a negative opinion . . . how about removing the negative next time?) How about some related links (below)? Then the builder has some information so they can make their own decision about how they want to build their RV.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...hlight=baggage

http://www.romeolima.com/RV8/Electrical.htm

I would also add that the very-lightweight LiFePO4 batteries are a new consideration when it comes to battery location.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ghlight=LiFePO

Bottom Line: Is VAF a ?stress-free, civil place for fans of Van?s RV kitplanes to virtually socialize,? or not? How about some friendly, mutual respect for fellow VAFer?s views and airplanes out there? Learn from Others, Provide Useful Information, Socialize, Be Friends, Enjoy Building and Flying! Isn?t that what VAF, and RVs, should be about?

pvalovich · #8 01-15-2013, 11:44 AM

On my IO-360 CSP -8A I put the battery on the forward firewall since I didn't relish the idea of stuffing mysel into the rear fuselage to service it. After flying, discovered there is merit for putting it aft for C.G. I currently use two 25 lb shot bags in the aft baggage compartment for ballast. Works fine. Unless I have King Kong stuffed in to the back seat, I can't exceed the aft C.G. limit.

Decided to go with fuzes vice circuit breakers (no regrets) and put the fuze panels in the forward baggage well. Putting them on the aft side of a dropable door on the aft fwd baggage bulkhead was probably a better idea, but at the time, didn't think I had the room.

Don't miss the forward well baggage capability.

Chino Tom · #9 01-15-2013, 12:03 PM

Hey we all post our personal experiences so current builders can make
judgements of their own. Think we should read beyond a few words.

I've been flying my -8A four years now, and these are MY opinions on
MY airplane for MY mission. I use the airplane for travel. It has an
O-360 CS and the battery on the firewall. For solo flight, my tool
bag, survival kit and oxygen bottle are in the rear baggage compartment
and the solo CG is within Van's nosewheel weight recomendations.
When my wife and I travel together, I use every nook of both forward
and rear baggage space for stuff. The forward baggage footwell
section is perfect for the tool bag, canopy cover and other odds and
ends but still leaves the upper section for a wheeled duffle. Of course
the rear baggage is full of my wife's stuff. The great thing about the
RV-8 is the ability to move weight forward or aft for CG.
But for us, there still isn't enough baggage space. YMMV

jthocker · #10 01-15-2013, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Palmer

+1 for Tim, Bird, and Pat

-1 for Andy and Jon (?tragic? ?spoiled? ?well said? ???).

IMHO: There?s too much trashing of ?other? VAFer?s ideas, questions, and airplanes on VAF these days. How about just an objective, supportive response regarding the pros and cons of using, or not using, the 8/8A?s forward baggage well for something other than baggage as designed? (Andy, the second part of your post is helpful, but your first sentence is clearly a negative opinion . . . how about removing the negative next time?) How about some related links (below)? Then the builder has some information so they can make their own decision about how they want to build their RV.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...hlight=baggage

http://www.romeolima.com/RV8/Electrical.htm

I would also add that the very-lightweight LiFePO4 batteries are a new consideration when it comes to battery location.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ghlight=LiFePO

Bottom Line: Is VAF a ?stress-free, civil place for fans of Van?s RV kitplanes to virtually socialize,? or not? How about some friendly, mutual respect for fellow VAFer?s views and airplanes out there? Learn from Others, Provide Useful Information, Socialize, Be Friends, Enjoy Building and Flying! Isn?t that what VAF, and RVs, should be about?

Sorry Bill, not backing down. Somebody has to counter the "advice" given on the web sometimes. Van has designed great airplanes, I've built a lot of them. Every single time that I've decided to do something different from the plans it has come back to haunt me, in that I've had to compensate for it in some other area. That then results in even more time and "re-engineering" to make stuff work out. The planes in my signature line are not for bragging, it's to let people know I've MADE LOTS OF MISTAKES!!!!!
Of course I could just say "what a novel idea, go for it"!

Not!
Stick to the plans and you'll fly sooner.
Sorry if I hurt some feelings, I guess I've been hanging around Kahuna too much lately!