Avionics

iPad Mount installed ( 1 hr )

Received iPad mount for Instrument Panel.  Ordered from Sporty's this new "Robust Universal iPad Suction Cup Mount" ( a good value at $40 ) and Ram circle base.  Replaced suction cup with Ram base permanently mounted with four 6-32 screws and locknuts.   The 3.75" arm allows lots of positions.   Pending delivery of  11" iPad Pro...

Vertical orientation

Horizontal orientation.

Partially blocks "glove box", but easily moved for access.

Firewall Forward Kit

Secure Reiff Heater harness ( 2 hrs )

Worked to secure connectors & harness for Reiff Heaters.  Used waxed cord (from harness assembly) to wrap each male to female connector (already snap fit).  Then lots of hi-temp RTV to secure harness to air box/oil sump on bottom of engine - per Reiff recommendation in instructions.  Added RTV to wire connections to sensor and each heater pad for strain relief.   Also cut 1.5" from 16" long SCAT hose to fit from baffle to oil cooler now w/ TCW air valve installed.  No pic, ref April 26, 2018 build log.

RH side with heater pad and sensor

LH side with heater pad.

Firewall Forward Kit

Optimate Battery Charger ( 2 hrs )

Received the "Optimate lithium LFP 4S 5A"  battery charger for the EarthX LiFePO4 main battery, Part No. TM291.  Recommended by EarthX specifically for LiFePO4 batteries.  Automatic test, charge, optimize (cell balancing), test and Maintain modes ( 10 steps).   Decided "making do" with Battery Tender Jr was not ideal.  Also finished RH firewall penetration with layers of firesleeve filled with hi-temp RTV per Sect 51-07.

10 steps shown along bottom

includes direct connection to battery terminals w/  plug. 
Performs all steps without interaction.  

bottom view of stuffed firesleeve

top view.   (messy to stuff  with RTV)

Firewall Forward Kit

Reiff Heaters ( 3 hrs )

Installed Reiff Heaters ( HotStrip Oil Sump Heater System, item HSS) so I can preheat in cold weather.   Reiff provides good instructions.   After trial fit to confirm location for each heat pad and the thermostat, I removed the paint with acetone, then scratched surface w/ scotchbrite.  The included epoxy is thick and tacky...kinda challenging to "corral".   Requires at least 48 hrs at 75 deg.

Reiff HotStrip Oil Sump Heater

removed paint on Oil Sump ( Lycoming IO-390 )

ready to epoxy on heat pads

added more tape after pic, since pad was gradually drifting downward
 ( gravity sucks !)

Firewall Forward Kit

Firesleeves (2 hrs)

Filled inside of firesleeves with hi-temp RTV after adding second firesleeve.   Used SS hose clamps  (vs Vans instructions to wrap with safety wire per Sect 51-07, Fig 3)   Applied self-adhesive label for new Oil Cooler temp control (butterfly air valve at oil cooler).   Stein Air did nice job.  Looks good -- but the camera shows a "white" outline around perimeter that is not apparent to eyeball.

LH firesleeve with hose clamps

 

stuffed full of hi-temp RTV.   (from cockpit side too)

applied new label for Oil Cooler temp control. [ camera shows
a "white" outline around perimeter that is not
apparent to eyeball]

Firewall Forward Kit

Firesleeve #2 and UHMW tape  ( 3 hrs )

While waiting for "anti-short bushings", I went ahead to insert firesleeve into RH tube.  With extreme difficulty (really sore hands!) I managed to get the firesleeve through to other side.  It took a couple hours!   The order of UHMW (ultra high molecular weight) tape arrived from Vans.  Per Sect 49-10, Fig 2,  I wrapped tape around VA-190 braided hose in couple locations.  Attached VA-119 hose to VA-190 hose with 2 cable ties per Sect 49-11, Step 4 & Fig 3.  Today, Rick Olson, builder of RV4 ( 2018 first flight) visited shop to check out my progress and discuss remaining details.  He's got lots of experience and was very helpful. Thanks Rick!

nominal gap for VA-190 to battery angle...
Vans builds have similar (or zero) clearance.

Arrow points to potential contact, now
covered with UHMW tape.  Circled area
is the 2 cable ties (also wrapped 1st
with UHMW tape)

Firewall Forward Kit

Firesleeve ( 2  hrs )

Per Sect 51-07, Steps 1-3 added firesleeve to wire & cable bundle at firewall pass-through (FF00001 Firewall Penetration Fitting).   Called Vans Prod Support - and Mitch Lock answered, President of Vans Aircraft.  He was filling in!  I told him my bundles were so tight in opening, I didn't feel I could insert the rubber firesleeve - especially the RH one.  He described how he encountered same issue, and used "anti-short bushings" instead when he built his RV14a.   Key is isolation of wires from metal edges front and back.   I ordered some 1" dia size (no local stores carry that size).  I inserted firesleeve in LH hole...with great effort, taking over an hour to push in.   I plan to use the bushings on RH side.   Both will be filled with hi-temp RTV, then wrapped with second layer of firesleeve.

Inside view showing success pushing firesleeve 1/4" past edge

Engine side.   Will fill with hi-temp RTV, then add
 another layer of firesleeve.