Avionics Access Panels?

[gfb]

I remember seeing a link to someone who made avionics access panels for the top forward skin on the 7/9. Anyone have a link handy or have used their product?

[Carl Froehlich]

No longer very applicable if you are going with glass. Make the panel so it comes out in your lap after taking apart a few connectors.

Carl

[DaveO]

I have seen them on a 7/9 but they were custom made. Cutting a rectangle, then adding a backer and then a panel made of fiberglass. Maybe someone here will be able to give a picture, which is easier than words.
Dave

[miyu1975]

I have glass panel and am very happy with the two panels I put in. No way could I have made updates and changes to my panel and other stuff without them. I wish I had two more on the curved part.

[Fred.Stucklen]

Originally Posted by gfb

I remember seeing a link to someone who made avionics access panels for the top forward skin on the 7/9. Anyone have a link handy or have used their product?

I put four panels into the front deck in front of the tip up canopy. I also put a shelf over the rudder peddles so "Black Boxes" could be mounted there. They, and the two batteries, are all accessible via the access panels, as well as the rear side of the avionics stack.













My dual AHRS (GRT) box is on the shelf as is the NavWorx ADS600-EXP box....

[Roy Thoma]

Joe Blank put at least two access panels in the forward top skin of his RV-6 when he did a panel upgrade. I THINK Van's may offer them.

Regards,

[scrollF4]

Before I created mine, I spent some time talking to the engineer at the Vans mothership, and here's what I learned regarding those access panels.

1) BLUF*, they did NOT recommend or endorse this sort of modification. They haven't conducted an engineering assessment on if/how the forward access panel mod strengthen or weakens the aircraft. That forward skin is structural.

2) Having said that, there is an engineering convention (don't ask me to ID the scripture, chapter, verse) that says basically if you're going to cut such a hole and install an inset panel:
a) it needs to sit on a doubler of the same or greater thickness of the surrounding skin material, and...
b) the area of the doubler needs to meet or exceed the area of the hole.

Take at look at the fuselage section of my Kitlog, starting on 1 Dec 2014. That'll show you how I went about applying this modification:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/catego...&category=6927

As you can see, I riveted the heck out of it, then used plenty of screws. I wanted it strong....period.

This mod has been an absolute moneymaker for work up front.

* BLUF = Bottom Line Up Front

[rv7charlie]

It's almost always fun to read the various opinions coming out of the mother ship. :-)

I called (after consulting my mechanical engineer, a&p-a/i, builder of 3 or 4 scratch builts, an RV-8, & rebuilds of several a/c). Abbreviated answer from both: primary load path in that area is from the top longerons down. (Look at the RV-8 baggage door.)

I didn't need the two skinny openings between the ribs, but took a long look at brake pedal adjust bolts, motor mount firewall bolts, forest of tabs ground block on the firewall recess, etc etc. & decided I really wanted access. I did a screwed-on cover on the left side (engine controller, most of my FWF wiring & throttle cable runs are there), and a hidden-hinge door on the right side, anticipating a soft sided removable forward baggage compartment over the rudder pedals on that side for oil, tools, etc. I used hinge stock to make a continuous latch at the bottom; pin can be pulled by reaching in the oil access door. Mine look a lot like Fred's outer ones, but they are a bit bigger. I think I left ~2" of skin around each opening.

Not flying yet, but I'm loving the access they give. The -4 has a removable skin between canopy & firewall. I knew how nice it would be from working on my -4.

I'll send pics off list if anyone's interested.

Charlie

[Bavafa]

Originally Posted by Fred.Stucklen

I put four panels into the front deck in front of the tip up canopy. I also put a shelf over the rudder peddles so "Black Boxes" could be mounted there. They, and the two batteries, are all accessible via the access panels, as well as the rear side of the avionics stack.













My dual AHRS (GRT) box is on the shelf as is the NavWorx ADS600-EXP box....

How do you seal these access panel against rain?

[Paul K]

I C&Ced two panels in my forward skin along with spacers and backers, all for a perfect fit. Check the link in my signature for about 500 build photos, the photos still display but without the captions. Sorry but I haven't upgraded or changed my Google photo site yet.

I love the additional access I get through the access covers for everything mounted between the fire wall and the sub panel. Yes access is good by removing the glass from the panel but that only gets you back to the sub panel, nothing behind it.

Do your engineering! This is a highly stressed skin supporting the firewall and engine! Do it right.