Since I am installing a new backup battery, I am ending up with quite a bit of kit behind the rear baggage bulkhead. Since, I have some extra plexiglass I've decided to make a new rear baggage bulkhead to allow easier inspection of all the components back there. There is nothing wrong with the bulkhead I currently have but the plexiglass will make it much easier to see everything at a glance. Of course the plexiglass in the pics has the protective coating that will be removed soon.
Back from our quick trip to Colorado and I'm back at it.
My friend Terry is flying his 40hrs off in his Kitfox and has discovered a few issues. He had a bad battery/alternator/wiring problem that showed he couldn't run the fuel pumps if/when the battery fails. This means an automatic engine shutdown. So, he has installed a second battery to alleviate this issue. Since we have almost identical setups I decided to add the battery to mine now. Not the easiest to get in the back and add but it needed to be done and I have the spot for all of it.
I started by making a bracket then mounted the battery and box to it.
Battery and box temporarily mounted to the bracket.
Next was to install the bracket to the fuselage using Adel clamps. It sits opposite the Comm 2 radio and above the ELT. After it's installed and I'm happy with the fitment, I'll take it out and get it to powder coat tomorrow.
The solenoid also needs a home. There is just the right spot on the servo tray.
Solenoid installed.
Next up was getting the trim push rod adjusted for full throws without binding. I needed to cut the horns down about a 1/16th of an inch off each one. I also needed to enlarge the push rod opening in the back of the cover for clearance. After I had the trim tab moving to each stop without binding, I installed the cotter pins and buttoned it up. DONE.
Next up was finishing tape on the tail light. DONE.
Finished the detail work on the right wing and left horizontal stab today and mounted the fence the left side.
I am missing a piece to finish off the left flap and ordered that today.
I applied the flap and aileron stripes to the right wing today. Actually, it's one stripe on both but is applied as two separate pieces. I still have some detail work left but it came out pretty good.
I finished up with the stripe detail work on the right horizontal stab and mounted the fence. Need to finish the left side and mount that fence as well.
I finished striping the right horizontal stab today. I had the center stripe left to do as well as some trimming. I still need to clean up the edges some.
I also applied the small stripe on the right flap. Just have the middle stripe to do on both sides.
I put the finishing tapes on the right horizontal stab today. This is the first piece that I covered with Oratex way back when and installed it up side down so the seams are on the top side. Not the best but I didn't want to tear it all off just to redo it so, I went with it as is. The finish tapes help mute the seams but you can still see them. After the finishing tapes were installed I started applying the stripes starting with the forward most stripe and then the rear stripe. I'll put the middle stripe on tomorrow.
Got the finish tapes installed and then the stripes on the left horizontal stabilizer. Still have some detail/trim work to do but it came out pretty good. I get the right side done tomorrow.
I had some scrap pieces and decided to do this part of the flap. Again, I've got some finish work to do but at least it's on.
Finally received the gas struts and brackets from Just Aircraft for the windows. Set about mounting them today and I also had to cut the bottom of the window frame to insert the latch piece inline. As part of that process I fit the latches which required cutting them down and re drilling the roll pin holes.
Installed the left flap today. I'll get them and the ailerons adjusted later. I am using my version of Billy Payne's roller bearing setup on the flaps. Same concept with some different components.
Yesterday I re-installed the flap and aileron brackets for the final time. Today I starting hanging the flaps and ailerons. I got both ailerons and one flap hung. The push rods are not connected yet though. I'll get the other flap hung tomorrow.
