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Instrument panel access

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lwinger

Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Location: Tustin, CA

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:23 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

My forward top skin is in one piece, but I would like to be able to have easy access between the firewall and instrument panel in the future.  I realize that I can use U-clips and R&R the whole piece, but I'm really looking for something like an access hole or two.  



What has worked for you?  Pictures would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Larry Winger

CH650/Corvair

Mods done, engine installed, ready to wire

  [quote][b]

_________________
Larry Winger
Tustin, CA
Plans building 601XL/650 with Corvair
Installing fuel system
www.mykitlog.com/lwinger

georgerace

Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Posts: 788
Location: Albion, MI

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:42 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

Larry is there something on my web site that would be of help?  

www.mrrace.com/Products/  

If not I could design and build to your specifications.  

George  

     

From: owner-zenith601-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith601-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Larry Winger

 Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 12:19 PM

 To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com; zenith601-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Instrument panel access  

  

   

My forward top skin is in one piece, but I would like to be able to have easy access between the firewall and instrument panel in the future.  I realize that I can use U-clips and R&R the whole piece, but I'm really looking for something like an access hole or two.    

   

    

What has worked for you?  Pictures would be appreciated.  

    

   

    

Thanks,  

    

Larry Winger  

    

CH650/Corvair  

    

Mods done, engine installed, ready to wire  

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_________________
Check out my CH-701 project at:
http://www.mykitairplane.com

psm(at)att.net
Guest

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:55 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

Hi Larry,

     

     I cut large rectangular "Inspection holes" in the top skin.  Each     one covers nearly one half of the skin with a couple of inches     margin from the edges (I think).  Inspection plates are typical ZAC     design with about 12 nutplates and the same #10 screws as other     ones.

     

     I probably have pictures somewhere but I am busy right now (eating     lunch).  If you would like to see them please let me know.

     

     Paul

     XL upgrade complete - reassembling wings to fuselage.

     

     On 5/31/2011 9:19 AM, Larry Winger wrote:     [quote]My forward top skin is in one piece, but I would like       to be able to have easy access between the firewall and instrument       panel in the future.  I realize that I can use U-clips and R&R       the whole piece, but I'm really looking for something like an       access hole or two.                

       

       What has worked for you?  Pictures would be appreciated.

       

       

       Thanks,

       Larry Winger

       CH650/Corvair

       Mods done, engine installed, ready to wire

        	  Quote: 	
		  

	
     [b]

psm(at)att.net
Guest

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:17 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

Here is a picture that gives you the general idea . . .

     

     [img]cid:part1.09040407.04040600(at)att.net[/img]

     

     Paul

     

     On 5/31/2011 9:52 AM, Paul Mulwitz wrote:      	  Quote: 	
		                Hi Larry,

       

       I cut large rectangular "Inspection holes" in the top skin.  Each       one covers nearly one half of the skin with a couple of inches       margin from the edges (I think).  Inspection plates are typical       ZAC design with about 12 nutplates and the same #10 screws as       other ones.

       

       I probably have pictures somewhere but I am busy right now (eating       lunch).  If you would like to see them please let me know.

       

       Paul

       XL upgrade complete - reassembling wings to fuselage.

       

       On 5/31/2011 9:19 AM, Larry Winger wrote:        	  Quote: 	
		  My forward top skin is in one piece, but I would         like to be able to have easy access between the firewall and         instrument panel in the future.  I realize that I can use         U-clips and R&R the whole piece, but I'm really looking for         something like an access hole or two.          

         

         What has worked for you?  Pictures would be appreciated.

         

         

         Thanks,

         Larry Winger

         CH650/Corvair

         Mods done, engine installed, ready to wire

          	  Quote:

instrument_panel_2.jpg

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lwinger

Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Location: Tustin, CA

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:49 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

Thanks, Paul.  Any special reinforcement?



Larry



On Tue, May 31, 2011 at 10:13 AM, Paul Mulwitz <psm(at)att.net (psm(at)att.net)> wrote:

   	  Quote: 	
		                      Here is a picture that gives you the general idea . . .

     

     [img]cid:part1.09040407.04040600(at)att.net[/img]

     

     Paul

     

     On 5/31/2011 9:52 AM, Paul Mulwitz wrote:     

 	  Quote: 	
		                Hi Larry,

       

       I cut large rectangular "Inspection holes" in the top skin.  Each       one covers nearly one half of the skin with a couple of inches       margin from the edges (I think).  Inspection plates are typical       ZAC design with about 12 nutplates and the same #10 screws as       other ones.

       

       I probably have pictures somewhere but I am busy right now (eating       lunch).  If you would like to see them please let me know.

       

       Paul

       XL upgrade complete - reassembling wings to fuselage.

       

       On 5/31/2011 9:19 AM, Larry Winger wrote:       

 	  Quote: 	
		  My forward top skin is in one piece, but I would         like to be able to have easy access between the firewall and         instrument panel in the future.  I realize that I can use         U-clips and R&R the whole piece, but I'm really looking for         something like an access hole or two.          

         

         What has worked for you?  Pictures would be appreciated.

         

         

         Thanks,

         Larry Winger

         CH650/Corvair

         Mods done, engine installed, ready to wire

          	  Quote:

instrument_panel_2.jpg

Description:

Filesize:

58.53 KB

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10904 Time(s)

_________________
Larry Winger
Tustin, CA
Plans building 601XL/650 with Corvair
Installing fuel system
www.mykitlog.com/lwinger

jaybannist(at)cs.com
Guest

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:57 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

Larry,

 

 Here is what I did.  I used electrician's rubber tape instead of the silicone sealant for a gasket.  I had that panel off many, many times working out bugs in the wiring.

 

 Jay

    

  

     

  

    

     

  

     

  

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lwinger

Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Location: Tustin, CA

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 10:21 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

Thanks, Jay.  As always, you are a great resource.



Larry



On Tue, May 31, 2011 at 10:53 AM, Jay Bannister <jaybannist(at)cs.com (jaybannist(at)cs.com)> wrote:

  [quote]Larry,

   

 Here is what I did.  I used electrician's rubber tape instead of the silicone sealant for a gasket.  I had that panel off many, many times working out bugs in the wiring.

 

 Jay

    

  

     

  

    

     

  

     

  

    --

_________________
Larry Winger
Tustin, CA
Plans building 601XL/650 with Corvair
Installing fuel system
www.mykitlog.com/lwinger

psm(at)att.net
Guest

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 10:29 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

psm(at)att.net
Guest

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 10:54 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

It looks like my last message got corrupted, so here it is again . . .



On 5/31/2011 11:26 AM, Paul Mulwitz wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Hi Larry,



 I don't remember for sure, but I might have put a skin weight u 

 channel on the bottom of the top skin apex.  This would stiffen the 

 attachment to the firewall a little.  It probably doesn't matter much 

 since the inspection plates are firmly fastened to the skin and 

 replace the skin that was cut out.



 One trick I did was to put fuse blocks on the channel going to the 

 bottom of the instrument panel.  I decided that if a fuse blew in 

 flight it was not time for the pilot to try to trouble shoot the 

 problem.  With the big inspection holes it is easy to get to the fuses 

 when the plane is on the ground.



 Paul



 On 5/31/2011 10:45 AM, Larry Winger wrote:

> Thanks, Paul.  Any special reinforcement?

KC7HFA

Joined: 05 Jul 2007
Posts: 11
Location: Southern Oregon

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:32 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

'In God We Trust'

Will be on every e-mail I send out from now on

because, I don't want to lose our right to say it!.



 

 

I used nut plates and made the bulk of the top panel as the access panel. I cut the two small pieces that are in front of the canopy hinge off and secured  them as permanent  pieces, but the rest of the panel comes off with screws around the edge of the panel.  Worked great when one of the brake lines started leaking at the master cylinder  and I had to repair the leak and re-bleed the brakes.  It also gives me complete access to the entire instrument panel.  The negative to this installation is that I must pull the top of the engine cowl off prior to the removal of the instrument inspection panel. There are no extra supports, as it’s screwed  all the way around the panel.  This method gives a lot of flexibility and makes the annuals easier.

 

Ron Asbill

N601ZX 

601XL - 3300 Jabiru

Flying with 120 hours

 

'In God We Trust'

Will be on every e-mail I send out from now on

because, I don't want to lose our right to say it!.

 

  [quote][b]

_________________
Ron Asbill
N601ZX - CH-601 XL
Jabiru 3300
Completed and Flying!~ 150 Plus hours

psm(at)att.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:00 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

l took a look at the airplane and discovered I did indeed put a 

reinforcement on the strip between the two large holes in the top skin.  

It is a U-channel that is riveted (A5 - 40 pitch) under the top of the 

panel and running all the way from the firewall to the instrument 

panel.  It is made from .025 aluminum with a 2 inch web and 3/4 inch 

flanges.  This supports the small handle used to help get in and out of 

the plane while the inspection plates are not in place.

Paul

On 5/31/2011 11:51 AM, Paul Mulwitz wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

 It looks like my last message got corrupted, so here it is again . . .

 On 5/31/2011 11:26 AM, Paul Mulwitz wrote:

> Hi Larry,

>

> I don't remember for sure, but I might have put a skin weight u 

> channel on the bottom of the top skin apex.  This would stiffen the 

> attachment to the firewall a little.  It probably doesn't matter much 

> since the inspection plates are firmly fastened to the skin and 

> replace the skin that was cut out.

lwinger

Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Location: Tustin, CA

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:12 am Post subject: Instrument panel access

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas and practical tips.  I'm ready to cut some more aluminum!



Larry Winger



On Tue, May 31, 2011 at 9:19 AM, Larry Winger <larrywinger(at)gmail.com (larrywinger(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

  [quote]My forward top skin is in one piece, but I would like to be able to have easy access between the firewall and instrument panel in the future.  I realize that I can use U-clips and R&R the whole piece, but I'm really looking for something like an access hole or two.    



What has worked for you?  Pictures would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Larry Winger

CH650/Corvair

Mods done, engine installed, ready to wire

   	  Quote: 	
		  



arget="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

tp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	
[b]

_________________
Larry Winger
Tustin, CA
Plans building 601XL/650 with Corvair
Installing fuel system
www.mykitlog.com/lwinger

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