Scott's RV-14 Build

Aft Fuselage Wiring Complete/ELT install

Work and family events kept me out of the shop for 10 days. I've been back at it since Friday and can finally update the build log. I spent the past couple days finishing up everything that I could possibly do in the aft fuselage while access is still relatively easy. "Relative" depends on one's point of view. It's still difficult, requiring me to fit my large frame into small, tight spaces and assume awkward, contorted positions that torture my knees and back. And that's with the roll bar and rear glass absent. Once they're permanently mounted access will go from bad to worse. Hence my desire to get everything as correct and complete as possible. Much effort was spent adjusting and fine tuning all the wiring runs, making it nice and neat while cinching the many zip ties securing it all. I replaced many of the black zip ties supplied by Vans to slightly more expensive blue ones sold by SteinAir that are more heat resistant. I worry about the zip ties becoming brittle and breaking over time in the AZ heat. A buddy of mine who's an A&P/IA is using wax lacing cord on his RV-14 build. It's super professional looking and very durable. I thought about going that route but in the end, it was just too tough to replace the zip ties already installed deep in the aft fuselage. I also installed my RG-400 coax cable for my recently installed WAAS/GPS antenna. StienAir fabricated one for me and I used glue on nylon zip tie mounts to secure it. I didn't trust the foam backed adhesive on the mounts to last over time. So, I removed it with mineral spirits, scuffed the metal where I wanted to mount it and used JP Weld epoxy. I did a test one first on some scrap metal. After curing you'd need explosives to remove the mount. Lastly, I finished the ELT install. I deviated from the plans by using a bracket next to the ELT to mount the Audio Alert unit and installing nut plates for the ELT mounting bracket. I also went with a different DIN connector setup. Many thanks to build buddy Craig for hooking me up with the needed parts.

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