Shop Set Up

Fuselage moved to Hangar

Hired Dependable Towing to move Fuselage from home shop to hangar at 3MY (Mt Hawley) with a "rollback" flatbed.  They did a great job, with lots of care for my "baby".  Cost $180 for 2 hrs. Railing on this truck was 1/2" higher than one I measured, so needed boards under wheels to clear Wheel Pant brackets.  But rails were expected 1.5" wider than outside wheel to wheel...so just enough clearance.    Next mission:  rent U-Haul to move Wings, Tail, tools and benches.

First time out of garage shop in daylight (the airplane, not me!)

Rollback in process winching up the incline (paused -- as I was
 off ramp to take pic).  When moving up ramp, I steered 
w/ towbar since close fit between rails.

Ready to go.  I used bolts (sheathed in plastic---from original
 QB delivery) in Wing Spars as anchor points on LH & RH side.
We took it easy at 45 mph, but I did secure any loose wiring
at Wing Roots, tail area.  Seemed very stable w/o any bounce.

Tah Dah !   Unloading was quicker.
 I steered with towbar as crew let out the winch.

Hooked up engine dryer to insure no moisture inside engine.

Avionics & Finish Kit

Rear Window and Joysticks ( 6 hrs )

Completed switch of Black wire in Pin 1 with Orange wire in Pin 2 (Orange is now Pin 1, Black now Pin 2) on LH Joystick Tosten grip.   Now the pitch trim works in correct direction, equal to RH Joystick Tosten grip.  [ seems out of synch revisions to Common Fuse Harness and Tosten grips are culprit - or Stein Air just plain messed up LH harness assembly ]    And confirmed Canopy Warning works while stationary, so tightened micro-switch position.  Final test will confirm audible warning starts above 1700 RPM. (...once engine is running).  [ note: Vans has error in Read Me file:   file name that appears on G3X screen when uploaded is "RV-14 g3xT options config rev1"  NOT the file in their instructions "Canopy Warning R2.gca.  Took several emails & calls to Van's builder support before they finally noted that is how Garmin shows the Canopy Warning file.  Completed jumper wire (yellow) from Pin 9 in LH Joystick (actually mating connector in Common Fuse Harness) to Pin 9 in RH Joystick  - so now AP/CWS switch works on LH Joystick/grip.  [ this was option proposed by Stein Air, since essentially the original wire takes same route, but very circuitous - and huge challenge to determine where the fault was...)   Finally, the Rear Window is installed.  Nancy climbed into baggage area so she could assemble the washers and nuts on inside while I added screws from outside.   Messy job getting sealant into gap between Aft Fuse and Window, but got 'er done.  Thanks Nancy!   Tip:  remove inside plastic covering on Rear Window prior to installing.   The fore/aft brace to Rollbar is close to window, making removal difficult.  Sect 38-04 Steps 5-9 instructions are good, but don't mention that detail.  Seems obvious after installing of course!

Orig positions of wires in LH Joystick grip

After switching Orange and Black 

After several fixes with harnesses, re-assembled Interior. 
(Didn't mount iPad on RH side in RAM mount for this pic)

And with G3X, G5 backup, AP and Radio all "on"

Rear window mounted. Sure glad Nancy fit into baggage area

Other side....
Yay! ...getting ready to move to hangar! 
So I can put the Wings and Tail on (and
then lots more Avionics to Config, Test, etc)

Avionics

Discrete #3 for Canopy Warning, LH Joystick fix (3 hrs)

Received extractor tool from Stein Air so I could switch wires in connector J244 on GEA24.  Switched wires at Pin 41 and Pin 42, so Purple/Blu wire now at #42 = Discrete #3.  (and Purple/Grn is now at Pin 41, for Discrete #2).  Needed to align Discrete #3 with code within Canopy Warning program from Vans  (recently uploaded into G3X).   Also checked all 9 pins in LH Joystick connector:  confirmed need to switch wires in Pin 1 (black) and Pin 2 (orange) for correct Trim Up vs Trim Down to be same as RH Joystick.   Kevin (owner of Tosten grips) has been helpful, and is sending new Molex pins to crimp on when I switch wires.   Confirmed AP/CWS switch failure to work is not in joystick, but LH Common Fuse Harness.  Josh at Stein Air helped explore fix.  Seems best option is to install jumper from LH 50 pin connector Pin #3 to RH 50 Pin Connector Pin #18.   OR...run wire from Pin 9 in Common Fuse Harness at LH Joystick to RH Joystick Pin #9 wire (ie joystick to joystick).  Learned this wire sends signal to AP servos...not IP...so not connected to anything at panel.   tbd....!

J244 connector at GEA24 partially dis-assembled, but prior
 to swap Purple/Blu with Purple/Grn. 
 This aligned Discrete #3 w/ Canopy Warning program.

Success!  Canopy Warning appears as "Check Canopy".  Flashes
 for about 5 seconds, then steady on.  Above 1700 RPM, should
also hear audio warning.   (Other warnings due to engine
 not running, etc.) [sorry- hard to get focused pics of display]

Notes documenting Pin and wire color

for LH Joystick

Avionics

Instrument Color Markings ( 3 hrs )

Surprised limited info in Lycoming manuals, or via Vans, or VAF postings to recommend green, yellow and red color markings on G3X instrumentation.   So I gathered from those resources as much as possible, consulted with local experts Terry Moushon (Tech Counseler and builder RV10) and Bill Lane (RV 7 builder).   Lycoming test results for my engine were helpful (showing max and min Limits on several parameters).  Included pics below from powerpoint I created.   Setting up on G3X is almost fun.  I can refine these after first flights...but seem good starting point.

Camera doesn't focus well on display.... 
W/o Wings attached, don't have fuel tank senders connected, etc.

Avionics and Finish Kit

Canopy Warning & G3X config ( 3 hrs )

Received 24"x 36" cargo net w/ 2"x 2" mesh, 4mm bungee cord.  Came with 10 plastic hooks, but only using 5 (nice to have spares).  Good quality & seems good solution....for about $21 via Amazon.  Tah Dah !   I've been communicating several times with Vans builder support about the Canopy Warning file for the G3X.  Although followed Vans G3X Touch Canopy Warning Read Me file explicitly, I couldn't get my G3X to show the correct file after upload.   Vans finally clarified the Read Me file is wrong on step 11, page 2.  The G3X will display a file "RV14 G3XT options Config Rev 1" -- NOT the file "Canopy Warning R2.gca".   So...mine was working all along!   Otherwise trying to resolve issues with LH Joystick AP/CWS switch and Pitch Trim switch (RH is perfect!). Still consulting with Josh at Stein Air and Kevin at Tosten prod support.   At least some other Config issues have been resolved.

Added cargo net to hold loose small items

This is correct file for Canopy Warning upload to G3X.

Need to fix LH Joystick issues...

Getting more comfortable with set up via Config "folders"

Finish Kit and Avionics

Seat Belts and G3X Config ( 5 hrs )

Adjusted Seat Belt Harnesses for correct lengths for both my wife and I.   Workrd on G3X configuration/set ups.   Discovered LH joystick had Flap switch reversed vs RH joystick (RH agrees with panel mounted Flap switch direction).  So, contacted Stein Air, who consulted with Tosten  (grip source for switches and wiring).  Determined I could loosen switch bezel on grip, rotate switch 180 degrees.  Works correctly now.   Then I discovered the AP/CWS (autopilot/control wheel steering) switch is not working on LH joystick....and Pitch trim up/down is reversed vs RH joystick (but both have same Left and Right aileron trim movement).   Seems LH joystick has been assembled wrong...or connector on main harness in Fuse has a major problem.  Generated 5 pages of notes for follow up with Stein Air and Tosten after Memorial Day.

After loosening, then rotating small toggle switch
 on LH joystick, now operating same directions as
RH Joystick, and panel mounted Flap switch.
 (replaced red cap on toggle after pic)

Finish Kit

Joysticks and Boots ( 1 hr )

Installed LH Joysticks and both Boots.  In order to make it easier to install 3 screws at bottom of Boot, used some scrap thin, flexible plastic to make "keepers" or retainers.   Worked great.

Bottom side showing plastic retainers.   It would be a
bummer to loose screw into area below joystick! 
Sure did make attaching boot to Cover panel easier.

Boot attached.   Looks great.  I like to grey
 stitches accenting the black material.