Our panel is a kluge. I put it together with old parts I had collected. It has served us well enough for 4 years, but the MFD is failing. It’s an orphan. Here is the panel during the build.
The first failure was the pushbuttons. They were foil bubble type buttons. If any of you old guys fixed an Atari joystick, you know what I mean. I ended up replacing them with a 3D printed switch box.
The second failure, a couple of years ago, was the altitude setting. The altimeter works well, but if you set it to what the ATIS says for pressure, it’s way off. So I removed the CDI, VOR antenna, and coax. An MGL Blaze single altimeter lives there now.
Lastly oil pressure. I documented that in my engine thread, but it appears to be an MFD issue. Three strikes, you’re out. Until we swap in the new panel this winter, I’ve mounted a VDO gauge and wired it to my sender.
I will be watching with keen interest because I am thinking of redoing mine also.
I am so angry with myself for not building it to be removeable. I put a large access hatch on top of the glareshield but that turned out to be next to useless and my thoughts about being able to access through the MGL explorer hole turned out to be just as useless for doing anything behind the panel.
I am also getting rid of the GTX 327 transponder in favour of an ADS-B one, which is most likely going to be the Trigg 23 remote mounted one that is controlled by a small round thingamajiggy on the panel.
I built a glove compartment in my original panel but find I don’t even use it.
Once I remove the GTX 327 and glove box, a few switches nearby it will free up a lot of space which I am hoping to fit in the Ipad mini and possible the Aera 660 (for ADS-B in coupled with the GDL 50).
Hmmm!
I do have a small number of fuses, for non critical systems eg charging ports, etc
The rest of my circuit protection, is by resettable breakers on each circuit.
The aviation standard is for resettable circuit protection for very good reasons;
There is a visual indication/warning that the circuit breaker has tripped/poped.
You may be able to get home/landing by reseting the breaker.
Then there is the need to carry spare fuses, of differing capacities, just in case needed.
Bryan, I’ve been putting some thought into that as well,
For fuzes and breakers and switches.. Try breaker switches. The ones from AS are pricy, however i found these marine grade breaker switches. They will save panel space.
The rectangle in the center is for switch placement. I have a center stick, so the most frequently used switches are placed further to the left.
The big oval is a glare shield/shroud. Inside that I will mount an MGL MX-1. It seems to be very adept at running everything except the throttle all at once. It has a number of displays, Including navigation. It will run a remote Xponder, Coms, auto pilot, flaps…
The MGL MX-1 (or MX-2 .) has a built in AHRS. Reduces both devices and associated wiring. It extends 2 to 3 inches behind the panel. I have a trig tt22 remote xponder with ADSB in & out. More space on and behind the panel. Also gets rid of the DG & Artificial Horizon
Utilize sub panels with hinges on the bottom and lid support hinge like this..
There are all sorts of cabinet hinges for the bottom hinges. The glare shield will be removable.
The little rectangle on the far right is the Ignition, battery, alternator and start buttons will sit. THe little circle on the left is for the air/fuel ratio gaUge and the com radio is below that. Throttle, mixture & carb heat are on the left.
I am planning an MGL cockpit and have been talking to Evan at Legit Avionics. I currently have a combination of breakers, breaker switches, and regular switches. My interest in fuses is weight savings. I’ll probably use aircraft hinges around the perimeter of the trapezoid.
Can’t wait to see what you do with the panel @Bryan_Cotton.
I’m also interested in some close-ups of your brake master cylinder/lever. Post a few pics of how the master is connected to the airframe. I don’t know how I’ve never noticed you had flap/brake controls between the seats.
Thanks! I posted on that thread, but I guess I only saw the messages further down and missed where you posted them earlier in the discussion. Thanks for pointing me back there.
What material/thickness did you make those clips out of on either side of the master? Looks like maybe 1/16" - maybe thinner? Any ovaling of the holes over time with use?
Don’t forget about the instrument panel cross tie. I thought about going with a 10" display but changing the crosstie was going to be complicated to make structurally equivalent. For my vertical panel the 10" panel might have sit too low anyway.
My tablet hangs over the edge in a way that isn’t an issue with visibility. I liked the EFIS display being higher up. I did change my layout mocking it up and sitting in the aircraft so I’d do that and see what you like as well.
I was serious about the MX1 last year until I saw the MX2 at Oshkosh. It was shown as a vertical unit but can be used horizontally. I was ready to pull the trigger on the MX2 and then they announced that they stopped US sales. Ended up with the GRT Sport.
