Throttle quadrants

[Greg Arehart]

I'm building a 9A with IO-360 engine planned. My wife is also a pilot (as well as a great riveter!) so we want to put a quadrant throttle between the seats in a planned console. I have a few questions.

Does the amount of throw on any of the quadrants make any significant difference (i.e., given the engine, does that limit my choice of quadrants based on the throw of the throttle and, if so, how do I determine what that throw must be?)?

Are there any quadrants out there other than what is available through Spruce or other similar vendors? I would prefer a flat top to fit in the console easily, but could perhaps modify the console to fit a curved top. Has anyone modified a side mount quadrant to fit in the center? Are there any other options I haven't considered (I really need the quadrant since my wife has arthritis which makes the standard knobs not so easy to deal with).

Any other suggestions/advice would be appreciated.

thanks,
greg

[aparchment]

Greg:

I am also thinking of doing a throttle quadrant. I don't have answers for you on the throw, but I wanted to point out the 8 throttle quadrant on Van's site since it has a flat top that might fit well in a center console.

Here is the link:

http://www.vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/...delux-quadrant

Antony

[Captain_John]

I need to beat Bill Repucci to this thread because he is so quick on this kinda thing!

He has done a nice job on installing his quad. I just may do the same. I already have this one from Van:

http://www.vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/...ct=10-quadrant

It has a curved top instead of the flat one. The price tag is over $500 because it contains the control cables for the -10. I bought mine from Aircraft Spruce for less without the cables, but since then, Tom Green (at OSH 2007) SAID they were going to break it out "ala carte" in the next catalog. Dunno if it will happen. Call Van for special pricing on it if you are interested. Tell them Tom Green sent ya!

I also asked him for a customer appreciation tent like Cirrus has. He told me they bought a bunch of adirondack folding chairs for us instead!

Bill, Show us your pictures!

CJ

[N941WR]

John, you are a funny man!

The quadrant I bought was made by Dayton, RV-4 builder, who posts on this forum. It looks liked Dayton makes just what you want. Check out this panel. FWIW, I'm happy with the curve top and wouldn't want a console in my -9 as it would take up too much room for my big 'ol butt.

Mine came from Aircraft Spruce and the cost was a LOT less than what Van's is selling them for. Here's the link.

To see how I installed mine, check out the panel page on my web site.

PS. Dayton also makes the TQ's that Van's sells.

[FLYPTV]

http://www.aircraftextras.com/Console.htm

[rglick]

I also bought mine from Spruce and it worked out just about perfect with the standard length cables that Vans calls out. I say just about perfect because I remade all three levers to get less of a cable entry angle into the quad which in turn gave increased throw. I made my first engine start a couple weeks ago and all went well so I must have done something right. I absolutley love this Quadrant!
The links below show the install of the Quad but not the redesign of the levers so if you need to see the new levers, let me know and I can get you the snap shots.

http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displa...og=14210&row=1
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displa...og=14195&row=2
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displa...g=14195&row=67
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displa...=10065&row=133
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displa...g=9882&row=140

Richard Glick
RV7A 0-360 Aerosport Power
Slinger, WI

[robertcs]

Take a look at the work these guys did with their center console and TQ. To my thinking they have done the best job I have seen.

http://websites.expercraft.com/PHVII...y&log_id=12748

http://websites.expercraft.com/PHVII...y&log_id=11824

[Captain_John]

Bill, we do try!



Say, here's something to think about; Has anyone ever thought about using a 2 lever quad for power and prop and a VERNIER for fine mixture control?

Hmmmmm? I am not gonna do it because I have made up my mind to go with the 3 lever unit (ha... ha...) I already have.

Question for you guys flying with the quads: Are they accurate for mixture control? Would a vernier be more precise?

CJ

[Greg Arehart]

Thanks to all who responded - useful information, photos and food for thought. I still am thinking about what I want to do with my controls and will eventually post some photos when I get to that point. I also would be interested in comments about the ability to set mixture using sliding rather than vernier controls as posed by Capt John.

greg

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by Greg Arehart

I also would be interested in comments about the ability to set mixture using sliding rather than vernier controls as posed by Capt John.

It has been a long time since I've used vernier controls but I can say this about the DJM quad, setting the mixture isn't a problem at all. I don't have my TQ locked down tight, ever. You can tighten it enough so the lever moves with just the right amount of friction so you don't shut the engine off in flight. Even if you do, just push it forward and it will start right up again.

The amount of travel required to lean the engine seems just about right. I have to take out about 3/4 of it before hitting LOP.

All in all, I'm very happy with the TQ. Thanks for making such a great product Dayton!