Would you use Pro-seal or screws?

MS19087 · #1 11-05-2009, 07:25 AM

Mounting a terminal block under the floor pan (under pilot's seat) - it will serve as a junction for my wing lighting wire termination (NAV & Landing lights only). I want to mount this block flat on the inside of the lower fuseluge skin. Should I just use a glob of Proseal to adhere it or should I consider drilling/dimpling the skin using something like #6 through hardware. My gut says don't drill - just adhere w/ Proseal . . . comments?? Thanks!

Rick_A · #2 11-05-2009, 07:39 AM

I did the exact same thing and just used Proseal.

N941WR · #3 11-05-2009, 08:12 AM

First, it is my understanding that you should not mount anything directly on the floor. The drumming of the skins may cause some cracking where the item is mounted. Either mount it to a rib or make a small platform.

As for the proseal, great stuff but if you every need a larger / different block, you won't be able to remove the old one.

When installing systems, always think about future maintenance.

Rick6a · #4 11-05-2009, 08:43 AM

No one is a bigger fan of proseal than I am and I've put the substance to use in places not thought of or done in other RV's. However, in this case I'd be inclined to follow the advice outlined in Section 14 of AC-43.13.

Bavafa · #5 11-05-2009, 09:06 AM

I am with Bill on this one, I would not mount it on the floor as the bottom skin is very thin and can crack. I would also use screw just for maintenance and feature changes.

Mehrdad
RV7A - IO360M1B

longranger · #6 11-05-2009, 11:12 AM

I'd be more inclined to mount it to a rib with screws. As good a sealant as Proseal is, it isn't really intended as an adhesive.

Jim P · #7 11-05-2009, 11:21 AM

Here's my solution:http://adap.com/images/PC020062.JPG

I should have made the flanges a bit shorter as there isn't much room between the blocks and the seat pan. The base fits snuggly between the ribs and is attached by 6 screws to nutplates on the base in the photo.

Jim

Walt · #8 11-05-2009, 04:25 PM

Proseal for me too. The block weighs almost nothing and has no structural purpose. You could probably use velcro and it woud be ok. If the wires are postitioned and tied correctly with no stress even if it were to come loose it isn't going anywhere. Sometimes it's easy to get carried away on the little stuff while we short cut the important stuff

jsharkey · #9 11-05-2009, 05:00 PM

I screwed a terminal block for the lights etc to a rib under the seat.
Jim Sharkey
RV6 - Phase 1

rjcthree · #10 11-05-2009, 05:18 PM

In the trucking business, and specifically refrigerated trailer construction, 3m VHB tape in varying thicknesses is used for structural, load bearing skin attachment. Stuff is like magic if surfaces are prepared even casually.

I used 0.040" VHB to adhere my terminal block to the floor (and other stuff), but I'm using mine for strictly control stick connections. I do have a 16ga ground strap on the block connected to the nearest seat rib, about 4" away, so it's not like the block is going anywhere if the tape lets go.

So that's my advice, glue it, stick it, Velcro, Dual-Lock, whatever, but think about the secondary restraint. Use a FMEA approach - find the primary failure modes and make them go away, or backstop them to irrelevance.

As always, just my $0.02.

Rick 90432