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04-04-2015, 08:03 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 2,861
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1001001
My Warrior has a ventilation fan in the tail cone that allows forced air distribution through the overhead vents while on the ground. There is a pickup at the top of the vertical stab that connects to the fan suction with scat tubing. The fan then feeds into the overhead console.
Has anyone considered a similar arrangement for their -10? The extra ventilation due to the fan is great on hot days on the ramp. You can direct a stream of air right on top of your head, which helps a lot. It may not be as good as air conditioning, but it is pretty useful.
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Yes. The original overhead console maker, Accuracy Avionics sold a dorsal intake scoop that sat at the base of the VS. No fan was necessary. However, I'd hazard to guess that 99.9% have gone with a NACA vent to make the plumbing easier.
__________________
Todd "I drink and know things" Stovall
PP ASEL-IA
RV-10 N728TT - Flying!
WAR EAGLE!
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04-04-2015, 08:05 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Big Sandy, WY
Posts: 2,567
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I'm with gary here. Last one had rear nacas and an accuracy console. This time I made low profile consoles myself for antennae, lights, rear headset jacks , and lighter. I skipped the extra vents. Maybe saved ten pounds.
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Actual repeat offender.
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04-04-2015, 05:15 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Clarion, Pennsylvania
Posts: 550
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The issue of overhead consoles aside, Gary makes an important point for anyone reviewing these online forums and looking for guidance regarding accessories. It is easy to list the benefits of adding things, but more difficult to articulate the value of keeping it simple and light. Not to mention that there is sometimes a certain negative attitude expressed in these public forums towards the simple and light approach. I think everyone should build the airplane they want, and you can't look to an online forum to figure that out.
__________________
-Andy Turner
RV-10 N784JC
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04-04-2015, 05:43 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 2,861
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aturner
The issue of overhead consoles aside, Gary makes an important point for anyone reviewing these online forums and looking for guidance regarding accessories. It is easy to list the benefits of adding things, but more difficult to articulate the value of keeping it simple and light. Not to mention that there is sometimes a certain negative attitude expressed in these public forums towards the simple and light approach. I think everyone should build the airplane they want, and you can't look to an online forum to figure that out.
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Couldn't agree more. I also think it's important to differentiate between upgrades that arose from some issue (eg PlaneAround's main gear fairing bracket, Matco nose gear axle and wheel, man gear axle extensions, etc) and nice to haves like the overhead console, A/C, full interiors, pre-fab parts, so on and so on.
__________________
Todd "I drink and know things" Stovall
PP ASEL-IA
RV-10 N728TT - Flying!
WAR EAGLE!
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04-04-2015, 06:29 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 6,797
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike D
Do others without the overhead vents feel you need more fresh air?
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Personally, I'm fine with what I have (stock). Of course I live in the best climate in the US (San Francisco Bay area). But we've been to hot places, and I was okay, although you always wish for air conditioning while on the ground. But once airborne it's okay. I usually have the two standard vents aimed up and inboard so the vent on the right side hits the pilot's upper body/face, vice versa for the left. I know it hits my face because once I neglected to dry out the inside of the vent after washing, and on the subsequent take off found my glasses coated with water drops!
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04-04-2015, 06:58 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio
Posts: 417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike D
So, why an overhead console?
Seems everyone does it. But what do you actually use it for other than lights and air vent hose?
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The overhead console is a great thing because of the fresh air it lets in when on the ground and in the air. It is a great place for lights, switches and wires as already stated. The Aerosport Overhead console when installed with 2 NACA vents in the battery area and the NACA control valve weighs right around 5lbs installed. So it does not add a lot of weight. The air it provides on the ground when the engine is running is pretty good. It will keep you and your passengers a lot more comfortable than without. I was in Florida at KFMY 3 weeks ago and
was sitting on the ramp 85F sun beating on me with the door open getting ready to start up. It was pretty hot. I shut my door started up and proceeded to get my clearance and my wife commented that once I shut the door and started up it was much better with the air coming in.
The other nice thing is you can have some air blowing on your face or head when needed and is very refreshing. Its not for everyone as you will find on this forum. Everyone has their opinion. You are the one that needs to make this decision. And if its in your budget.
I would recommend you go fly in a RV-10 on a hot day with your wife with it and then without it. Than decide.
As for adding a fan for additional air in the RV-10 it has been done and I believe the results for that was the fans did not do much. Bob if reading this might chime in here.
Bottom line is it necessary NO. Is it nice to have YES. Is it worth the cost and effort only you can decide.
__________________
Geoff Combs
RV-10 N829GW 865hrs
1940 Piper J3 Cub
Rans S21
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04-06-2015, 09:01 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Missoula, MT
Posts: 714
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I love mine
It's definitely your decision but I have the Aerosport OH console with lights, air (with the NACA vents and Aerosport controller), and it made a lovely conduit for wiring and hid the GPS antenna mounts that are in the cabin top. The air from the rear NACA vents/OH console is noticeably cooler than the front vents, even in the air, I assume due to being farther from the engine room. I would absolutely do it again, just too many benefits for my tastes to leave it out. No question that air on the face is more pleasant than from the lower vents.
Also, if you really WANT air conditioning you get one. I have the Icebox portable AC ( http://switchboxcontrol.com/icebox/). It fits perfectly in the cargo area of a -10 with room for other stuff to spare. It cools very effectively for taxi, takeoff, climb then descent, landing, and taxi. I use it when I travel south but not much locally. He doesn't advertise this but it also keeps beer cold for when you are done flying.
__________________
Bryan Douglass
=VAF= 2020 dues paid
RV-10 N242BD
Last edited by douglassmt : 04-06-2015 at 09:03 AM.
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04-07-2015, 04:09 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lake Ridge Aero Park - Durham NC
Posts: 199
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Just another data point.
I do not have an overhead console except for a cereal bowl sized molding at the front of the overhead hosing instrument lights and some GPS antenna wiring. I do like the open headspace but my 6' and shrinking frame could easily tolerate a console.
Overhead interior lights is just not something I have wanted over 3.5 years of flying.
I do live and fly in hot climates (currently fishing in south FL after some out island Bahama work) and ground cabin temps are really uncomfortable. I crack the pilot door and loop the door strap around my arm. Not elegant at all but I can get virtually unlimited air flow thru the cabin. An overhead console with extra NACA vents would be an upgrade here, at least in terms of elegance and door safety.
My decision not to include a console was a cost/benefit or perhaps effort/benefit tradeoff. Less weight is always a good thing. No regrets.
Bill "Tarpon Day 2" Watson
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04-07-2015, 07:36 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Albany Western Australia
Posts: 54
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Why an overhead console ?
Another way to introduce air into an overhead console might be to have a small pop up vent similar to the rear seat "agricultural" vent positioned in the top of the cabin top above the console. Would require some innovative custom glass work and could be operated with a simple linkage setup. Apart from water sealing concerns when not in use, pretty sure this would be very effective to supply air to the console when needed, also could be left up to encourage airflow through the cabin when parked in hot weather. Wouldn't be any more disruptive to the airflow than the various antennas, GPS etc some folk put on the cabin top. Haven't done this myself, just an idea. Cheers from Western Australia
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04-07-2015, 10:51 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Woodinville, WA
Posts: 533
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I don't miss not having one. I don't think overhead lights are particularly useful, and I don't need wires up there (mounting the GPS antenna on the forward tailcone is just as effective and much simpler). With a good eyeball vent and installation, you'll still get plenty of outside air in your face.
That said, many people love them.
-Rob
__________________
Rob Kochman
RV-10, Flying as of March 2011 ( blog)
Paine Field (KPAE)
EAA Chapter 1440
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