How does the comm antenna work?
…dpansier chimes in (advertiser - sells antennas)
Shown below are the common types of VHF antennas used by general aviation aircraft, they are 1/4 wave designs requiring a ground plane.
Antenna 1 is a simple rod type antenna. This antenna is fine for local use, Sunday breakfast, unicom, etc, the antenna performance is generally centered on about 127.5 MHz with performance falling off on both band edges.
VHF com antennas such as Comant, Rami, Drone & Margolin and Delta Pop have an impedance matching network built into the antenna base, the matching network insures good antenna performance across the entire 118 - 136 MHz VHF Com band.
Antenna 2 has a matching network similar to the type used by Comant and RAMI, both will show a DC open when measured with a VOM from the center pin to the barrel of the BNC connector and ~50 ohms impedance at the operating frequency.
Antenna 3 is a shorted stub, grounded element design used by Dorne & Margolin and Delta Pop, a grounded element antenna will have the antenna element at DC ground potential, the BNC center pin to the mounting studs will show a DC short with a VOM and ~50 ohm impedance at the operating frequency.
The Transponder and ADS-B / UAT antennas are a different design and will show a DC open when measured with a VOM on the BNC connector.
Keep in mind the antenna design when measuring the antenna coax for shorts and opens, best to disconnect the coax from the antenna base when making these checks.

In the Filter Update
…moespeeds.

D180 to Skyview PIREP
…Tony_T
I did the full update from a D180 panel to a Skyview panel in 2016 and did the same as RV12_AL in post #3. There were options early on for this. Van's did all the planning for a Skyview update in 2011 using conversion harnesses and drew up a set of plans. You should download Section 42D from Van's website to get an idea of what would be necessary, step by step, for an RV-12 specific upgrade using conversion harnesses. Section 42D shows a lot of parts and wiring harnesses that may not still be available; that section was from 2011. Alternately, the Dynon conversion manual is 45 pages of highly technical instructions and not specific to the RV12. Also, take into account that this is the RV12 forum but some of the posts are not by folks who have the 12.
After all that is said and done, there is nothing wrong with the D180 panel!! Especially if it has the AP-74 autopilot module and the D100 dual screen. It will let you do all that the RV-12 was designed to do and do it well. Even thought I did the Skyview update, I still think all this latest fancy stuff is trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear. It's not fast, nor aerobatic, or permitted to fly in IMC . But it is really fun to fly with reasonable cross country ability, and miserly on gas. If I were just getting into a used RV-12 with the D180, I would just fly it and build some RV12 time. Later perhaps consider a newer RV-12 if they still meet your mission profile.
I have attached a couple of pictures; a picture of my old but great D180 panel, and one of the panel with the Skyview update using all the latest components, radio, etc. Also a shot of the 1st page of Section 42D.

william62696
Title is to attract attention but I suspect it is only an indication issue.
Engine @ 1000RPM = ~105 PSI indication.
Engine not running = ~ 42 PSI indication.
The oil pressure transducer (Stewart Warner 411K) was R&R'd with identical results. The wiring has been inspected with no anomalies noted.
I have done some dumpster diving in the airforce forums and my guess is the culprit would be the gauge but would like your input. Another thought - is there a procedure to calibrate/adjust the gauge?
If you also agree that the gauge is most likely the culprit, does anyone have one lying around from an upgrade, as the Mothership no longer supports the gauge?
Thanks in advance!

Firewall Mounted Oil Cooler
…mackd PIREP
I found this thread to be extremely helpful when figuring out how I wanted to handle the oil cooler for the 200hp angle valve IO360 on my RV-7. I figured I'd add a report on what I ended up doing.
I knew I wanted to go with a larger cooler mounted on the firewall. I was able to fit the Aero-Classics 10610R 10 row cooler equivalent on the left lower side of my firewall. Given the tight spaces, I ended up constructing a custom 4" duct and diffuser out of fiberglass and with an integral butterfly valve. As you'll see in the pictures, I'm not particularly skilled with fiberglass (all of my experience is from this project), but I am quite pleased with the end result.
Supplies:
Aero-Classics HE Series 8001646 (10610R) 10 row oil cooler
Airflow Systems oil cooler bolt spacers
4" TCW butterfly valve to deconstruct
4" heavy duty PVC hose
Misc hardware
Scrap angle
Home Depot purple foam + spray adhesive
Notes:
This is not pictured, but the front of the oil cooler is supported with a steel bracket to the engine mount.
I replaced the hose section in the last picture with a longer section so the hose clamps would be further from the edge.
I was able to use the stock Van's hoses for the runs between the engine and cooler.

jmpratt

WD-1002R Update
…N787KV
Vans said that I should replace WD-1002R, which is not a surprise. The challenge is how. To get the lower rivets out, I'll use a center punch on the rivet heads and start drill with a #40. Then sneak up on it with a #30 bit. For the top row, I was thinking of cutting an access area in the top skin (red in attached pic) to complete the work. Note, the pic shows the left side, but it would be preformed on the right side. I would add a .032 doubler (blue line) and re-skin with .032. As for riveting in the new weldment, I was thinking of using Cherry Max rivet for the top and bottom. Thoughts and comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

OFF TOPIC:
…seen driving in my local area Monday. Not precisely sure what this guy does for a living, but I have an idea.
dr

Get your VansAirForce.net Charity Cap!
Please consider donating yearly to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
Older issues of the ‘VAF News’ can be found at:
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
…dpansier chimes in (advertiser - sells antennas)
Shown below are the common types of VHF antennas used by general aviation aircraft, they are 1/4 wave designs requiring a ground plane.
Antenna 1 is a simple rod type antenna. This antenna is fine for local use, Sunday breakfast, unicom, etc, the antenna performance is generally centered on about 127.5 MHz with performance falling off on both band edges.
VHF com antennas such as Comant, Rami, Drone & Margolin and Delta Pop have an impedance matching network built into the antenna base, the matching network insures good antenna performance across the entire 118 - 136 MHz VHF Com band.
Antenna 2 has a matching network similar to the type used by Comant and RAMI, both will show a DC open when measured with a VOM from the center pin to the barrel of the BNC connector and ~50 ohms impedance at the operating frequency.
Antenna 3 is a shorted stub, grounded element design used by Dorne & Margolin and Delta Pop, a grounded element antenna will have the antenna element at DC ground potential, the BNC center pin to the mounting studs will show a DC short with a VOM and ~50 ohm impedance at the operating frequency.
The Transponder and ADS-B / UAT antennas are a different design and will show a DC open when measured with a VOM on the BNC connector.
Keep in mind the antenna design when measuring the antenna coax for shorts and opens, best to disconnect the coax from the antenna base when making these checks.
How does the comm antenna work?
I am installing a ci-122 VHF antenna and trying to understand why it is doing what it does. I thought the antenna element should have continuity with the center pin of the BNC connector and subsequent coax connected to it. Mine doesn't. I connected my handeld radio to the installed antenna and...
vansairforce.net

In the Filter Update
…moespeeds.
What's putting copper in my engine oil?
I get an oil analysis done pretty much every oil change. Back in Sep 2023 I changed all 4 cylinders due to one being cracked and all 4 being part of the Titan/ECI AD. Since then, I've been making copper. Nothing significant in the filter or screens, borescope looks fine. Seems like my...
vansairforce.net

D180 to Skyview PIREP
…Tony_T
I did the full update from a D180 panel to a Skyview panel in 2016 and did the same as RV12_AL in post #3. There were options early on for this. Van's did all the planning for a Skyview update in 2011 using conversion harnesses and drew up a set of plans. You should download Section 42D from Van's website to get an idea of what would be necessary, step by step, for an RV-12 specific upgrade using conversion harnesses. Section 42D shows a lot of parts and wiring harnesses that may not still be available; that section was from 2011. Alternately, the Dynon conversion manual is 45 pages of highly technical instructions and not specific to the RV12. Also, take into account that this is the RV12 forum but some of the posts are not by folks who have the 12.
After all that is said and done, there is nothing wrong with the D180 panel!! Especially if it has the AP-74 autopilot module and the D100 dual screen. It will let you do all that the RV-12 was designed to do and do it well. Even thought I did the Skyview update, I still think all this latest fancy stuff is trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear. It's not fast, nor aerobatic, or permitted to fly in IMC . But it is really fun to fly with reasonable cross country ability, and miserly on gas. If I were just getting into a used RV-12 with the D180, I would just fly it and build some RV12 time. Later perhaps consider a newer RV-12 if they still meet your mission profile.
I have attached a couple of pictures; a picture of my old but great D180 panel, and one of the panel with the Skyview update using all the latest components, radio, etc. Also a shot of the 1st page of Section 42D.
Upgrading from D-180 to Skyview
My new plane, Pink Thunder, could use a glass update. Any tips or tricks on changing out a D-180 for a newer Skyview?
vansairforce.net

william62696
Title is to attract attention but I suspect it is only an indication issue.
Engine @ 1000RPM = ~105 PSI indication.
Engine not running = ~ 42 PSI indication.
The oil pressure transducer (Stewart Warner 411K) was R&R'd with identical results. The wiring has been inspected with no anomalies noted.
I have done some dumpster diving in the airforce forums and my guess is the culprit would be the gauge but would like your input. Another thought - is there a procedure to calibrate/adjust the gauge?
If you also agree that the gauge is most likely the culprit, does anyone have one lying around from an upgrade, as the Mothership no longer supports the gauge?
Thanks in advance!
High Oil Pressure
Title is to attract attention but I suspect it is only an indication issue. Engine @ 1000RPM = ~105 PSI indication. Engine not running = ~ 42 PSI indication. The oil pressure transducer (Stewart Warner 411K) was R&R'd with identical results. The wiring has been inspected with no anomalies...
vansairforce.net

Firewall Mounted Oil Cooler
…mackd PIREP
I found this thread to be extremely helpful when figuring out how I wanted to handle the oil cooler for the 200hp angle valve IO360 on my RV-7. I figured I'd add a report on what I ended up doing.
I knew I wanted to go with a larger cooler mounted on the firewall. I was able to fit the Aero-Classics 10610R 10 row cooler equivalent on the left lower side of my firewall. Given the tight spaces, I ended up constructing a custom 4" duct and diffuser out of fiberglass and with an integral butterfly valve. As you'll see in the pictures, I'm not particularly skilled with fiberglass (all of my experience is from this project), but I am quite pleased with the end result.
Supplies:
Aero-Classics HE Series 8001646 (10610R) 10 row oil cooler
Airflow Systems oil cooler bolt spacers
4" TCW butterfly valve to deconstruct
4" heavy duty PVC hose
Misc hardware
Scrap angle
Home Depot purple foam + spray adhesive
Notes:
This is not pictured, but the front of the oil cooler is supported with a steel bracket to the engine mount.
I replaced the hose section in the last picture with a longer section so the hose clamps would be further from the edge.
I was able to use the stock Van's hoses for the runs between the engine and cooler.
Show me your Firewall mounted oil cooler (RV-7)
Capt John, Jason Beaver's site has an example of how he did it with FW mounted oil cooler. His whole site is really well documented. http://jasonbeaver.com/rv7/category/firewall-forward/ I totally forgot about Jason's website! Thank you for the reminder. I really like the oil cooler drain...
vansairforce.net

jmpratt
Left Side Throttle on IO360-A1A
Looking for ideas on how to mount the throttle cable to support attachment on the left side of the throttle body? I am installing the FlyEFII System32 which has the control arm on the left side of the throttle body. The A1A sump has a boss on the bottom towards the right side to mount the...
vansairforce.net

WD-1002R Update
…N787KV
Vans said that I should replace WD-1002R, which is not a surprise. The challenge is how. To get the lower rivets out, I'll use a center punch on the rivet heads and start drill with a #40. Then sneak up on it with a #30 bit. For the top row, I was thinking of cutting an access area in the top skin (red in attached pic) to complete the work. Note, the pic shows the left side, but it would be preformed on the right side. I would add a .032 doubler (blue line) and re-skin with .032. As for riveting in the new weldment, I was thinking of using Cherry Max rivet for the top and bottom. Thoughts and comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
Upper Firewall Weldment Problems. Need Some Ideas. WD-1002R
This is a new to me project and I missed this little tidbit. In the pictures is RV-10 weldment WD-1002R. It is located on the cockpit side, upper right corner and bolts to the engine mount. As you can see, the edge clearance we normally expect, is not there. To make matters more difficult, the...
vansairforce.net

OFF TOPIC:
…seen driving in my local area Monday. Not precisely sure what this guy does for a living, but I have an idea.
dr

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VAF Charity Cap: Help your charity and promote this site.
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vansairforce.net
Please consider donating yearly to help keep this American 1-person pirate ship afloat:
Older issues of the ‘VAF News’ can be found at:
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THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
THE VAF LIST (a list of RV-related lists)
The VAF List ...a list of RV-related lists. RV-related things you might want to browse over (a closed post that is sticky and maintained by dr). Link to this in 'Links' in the menu. v/r,dr Small businesses that help bring you this list of RV-related lists: 360 Avionics www.360Avionics.com Ace...
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