RV-12iS Plastic Smell

[csmith3603]

I am builder 121086 and was Flying RV-12iS on or around 11/04/2025.
I and CFI & fireman reported the smell of plastic.

I smelled it too but went away fast also? The Smell was coming from where major
electrical devices are installed on right side of the instrument panel. I installed
SB-00058 HIC Module replacement some time ago. This upgrade included a metal
strip behind the connection plug to displaced heat.

On 11/05/2025 Inspected panel area of cables and connections for any type of damage.
None found. Replaced tie wraps and moved cables away from area.

 

[rv12is]

I am builder 121086 and was Flying RV-12iS on or around 11/04/2025.
I and CFI & fireman reported the smell of plastic.

I smelled it too but went away fast also? The Smell was coming from where major
electrical devices are installed on right side of the instrument panel. I installed
SB-00058 HIC Module replacement some time ago. This upgrade included a metal
strip behind the connection plug to displaced heat.

On 11/05/2025 Inspected panel area of cables and connections for any type of damage.
None found. Replaced tie wraps and moved cables away from area.

Hopefully others (much more knowledgable than me) will be along soon to help. Until then, I've got a few questions.

How many hours are on the plane? Has it been flying for a while without this smell?

From your picture, it looks like your firewall is primed and/or painted. Could something firewall forward be heating this up and causing the "plastic" smell?

Are your fans both working and blowing the appropriate directions? One side should be pulling air in, while the other is pushing air out. (Refer to 42MiS/U-03) From your picture, the fan is mounted opposite the build instructions and opposite the image in the service bulletin.

This upgrade included a metal strip behind the connection plug to displaced heat.

I think the metal strip you're referring to is just a strain relief for the wires going to that connector. I don't think there's anything there that needs to dissipate heat.

 

[csmith3603]

Hopefully others (much more knowledgable than me) will be along soon to help. Until then, I've got a few questions.

How many hours are on the plane? Has it been flying for a while without this smell?

From your picture, it looks like your firewall is primed and/or painted. Could something firewall forward be heating this up and causing the "plastic" smell?

Are your fans both working and blowing the appropriate directions? One side should be pulling air in, while the other is pushing air out. (Refer to 42MiS/U-03) From your picture, the fan is mounted opposite the build instructions and opposite the image in the service bulletin.

View attachment 101552View attachment 101551


I think the metal strip you're referring to is just a strain relief for the wires going to that connector. I don't think there's anything there that needs to dissipate heat.

Thank you for some suggestions. I will get the fans moved..

 

[csmith3603]

Thank you for some suggestions. I will get the fans moved..

Howdy there;

Pulled the front panel and checked out the installed SB-00058 wires with crimps that extended the length to the plug. Found
a loose crimp. Will replace the HIC extension wires using caution in crimping them. Will use heat shrink to seal
the crimp connection.