Lindy
12/8/2008
Well, I've weathervaned again...the Garmin SL40 comm has been in the panel for over a week now. I've stared at it, turned the knobs, pushed the buttons, yada yada yada (no power though). I don't like it. Functionality is outstanding, quality is top notch, and well, it's a Garmin. So what gives? It's just too small. The buttons are tiny, the knobs are tiny, and the display is tiny. I know they are readable; I've used them many times, but I never gave it any thought when it wasn't my airplane. Now that I'm building my own, and designing my panel, I'm gonna get what I want. In this case, I'm going back to the Icom A210. I'm glad I sold the one I had since it was the first batch, and the bugs have more or less been worked out. The latest firmware edition has fixed the standby monitoring problem. The display is HUGE, the knobs are bigger, and I think it's just more attractive, plain and simple. So the SL40 is already sold (thanks again to the RV community...stuff doesn't take long to sell in this group!), and I'll be ordering a new Icom this week.
So tonight I removed the SL40 first, and got it boxed up, and ready to send to Salt Lake City to a 6A builder. After that, I installed the push button starter and protection ring.
Next I installed the Reserve Lift Gauge. This is just a simple Dwyer Minihelic differential pressure gage, with an arc placed over the face of the gage. It will have two lines run to a blade style port on the left wing for angle of attack information.
Here's how it installs from the back-
Cruisin' right along to the compass. This is a neat unit used in the boating world. It's a Ritchie brand electronic compass that uses a magnetometer remotely mounted for information. No crappy, leaking, inaccurate whiskey compass for me! My EFIS will have one also, but I wanted a back up for it.
And how it installs from the back-
Then I laid out my switch panel. The nav and strobe lights will just have covers over them for now since I won't be starting night equipped. I wanted to make sure they were ready to put in though if I ever want to. Pretty simple setup! Yes, I know the alternator field switch is missing...it'll more than likely go right next to the battery switch, but I'm considering putting next to the starter switch.
I wanted the switch panel to be easily removable for maintenance or switch change outs. I will have a couple other switches for smoke and baggage area lights (for loading up the night before a departure), but those will be conveniently located for their function...smoke near the throttle, and baggage lights near the roll bar somewhere.
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