A Year Ago, Today

A year ago today was the last time I flew the Quickie. The target date for getting back in the air was May 1, 2008. I guess I missed that one a little.

On this anniversary, I was planning on making a list of all the things I have changed, but that would be boring and time consuming, so maybe I'll do that after the plane is once again airborne.

The latest update; lots more wires going in, still working on the final electrical system design, and getting ready to install the panel.


It looks rough, but it will all clean up.

More From the Dungeon

Sometimes I feeling like I am working in a dungeon. I have two light stands, a lighted magnifier at the work bench, a portable trouble light, a light bulb in my drill press and my pedestal grinder, and a 150 watt bulb waaay at the top of the hangar. I do arrange it to illuminate my particular task, but overall it's pretty dim.

The temperatures aren't too bad - yet. However, today we are supposed to have a high of 37 degrees and I may get five degrees more than that after the lights have been on for an hour or so.

But enough whining...

The wiring is coming along well. I am dangerously close to being able to permanently install the instrument panel. Yesterday, I decided to change where the fuel injection fuel re-enters the cockpit and had to order a few more AN fittings from Summit Racing.

This photo shows the main battery and the two always hot battery busses in the passenger's baggage compartment. (You are seeing the shelves through the tailcone opening.) This wiring scheme is based on Bob Nuckolls' drawing Z-19RB, electronic fuel injection w/dual rear batteries, page A & page B. The always hot busses feed the electronic control unit, the ignition coils, the fuel injectors, and the fuel injection pumps. (click on photo for more detail.)


With the help of a fellow EAAer I installed the new starter contactor and ran the starter's fat wires. I am using 4AWG welding cable which is very flexible and tough. I'm soldering the terminals and it's working out pretty well. Here is Bob's article on soldering fat wires.

BTW, if you haven't already gotten familiar with Bob Knuckolls and his AeroElectric Connection you are missing the boat. This man has provided a wealth of information for aircraft electrical systems, and has made it available for a song. Buy his book!

It was also time to get the engine off the stand and back where it belongs, to see how everything seems to be fitting. It's not on permanently, but it is heartening to see it back where it belongs, even if it is temporary.

The Darkest Night is Just Before Dawn

Now that the days are getting shorter and it's getting colder, I'm having to hunker down a little. Right now, anyway, the hangar is still tolerable. This week the indoor temperature ranges from 50 to 60 degrees and I'm still comfortable. Unfortunately, I have to keep the door closed and it makes it a little like working in a dungeon. I have a couple of halogen trouble light stands which kick out a good amount of light.

Here's a photo of the executive office:


The wiring is coming along well, but the wire count is quite high. I would say I will be having to identify, cut, add terminals, and mark over a hundred wires, before it's all done. But, like I tell my wife, this is the fun part. I should be able to permanently install the instrument panel by the end of the week.



One wire at a time, every thing is falling neatly into place. There are three major systems involved. First the aircraft electrical system, which I have made redundant because the plane is now all electric. Then, I have the Dynon FlightDek D180 EFIS/EMS system. And finally, I have the RWS EC3 electronic ignition and fuel injection system.

Yikes! The Stripes!

Just a couple of photos to show the paint stripe, courtesy of Sandy. She gave me the stripes for my upcoming 38th birthday. Or is it my 48th? Or....?

As always, click on the photo to see it bigger. Questions and comments are always welcome.