Wing lights, Canopy adj., Canopy seal, N#, Start config

It was a good day at the hangar today.  I first started by installing the wing lights and the cover to the landing light.  

I then did some more adjustments on the canopy as I wasn't completely happy with how it closed. I found some more interference on the UL corner of the G3X and did some adjustments to the canopy bar, canopy, and corner of G3X. I also had to make some minor adjustments to the canopy latch handle to allow it to close without to much strain. It seemed to be positioned about 1/8" too high which caused it to angle down when trying to latch. So I position it a little lower to make it more level when latching. I also slightly hammered with a wood block the left side skin (turtle neck) edge to allow the canopy to close better on the left side. At this point I think I am happy with how it closes now.

I also verified the wing gap that is required for the wing seal. The instructions say to not install seal until after paint to I will delay installation of seal for now. There were a few areas that needed some adjustment.

I then tried in the canopy seal retainer. Small adjustments were made on the retainer and then it was primed and painted.

The N#'s were then installed on the vertical stabilizer.

Then onto the next BIG step: Turning on power. I hooked up the ground cable to the battery. I then turned on the master switch. The G3X booted up and the fuel pump was running. I turned off the master and removed the fuel pump fuse. I started going through some of the steps of PAP G1.  I tested the lights. They all work except the Landing light pulse and steady are reversed, so I will have to switch the wiring at the light (should be a simple fix). I then starting installing the config files as per PAP and read.me file. Garmin software version 5.30 was installed and then RV12 base config file R10 and Autopilot R2 was installed.  There is more configuring such as the ADAHRS, Magnetometer, etc., but that has to be done after engine start.  Oh and but the way, the G3X looks awesome! 

Time: 5 hrs.

Left wing light installed

Right wing light installed

Landing light cover

N# placed

G3X first start

Light switches

Registration / Placards / G3X / Towbar

REGISTRATION ARRIVED TODAY!!!!  Well, my RV12 is now officially N8697T.  I spent some time today installing some of the placards. I also deemed it time to installed the G3X.  The cowling was then reinstalled. It was a little tricky getting the oil cooler lined up to place the lower cowl but it was accomplished.  I recently received the towbar kit so I spent a short time putting it together.

Time: 2.75 hrs

Installing Placards

Music, 12V outlet placard

Fuel placard

Open canopy placard

G3X installed

Cowling reinstalled

Towbar

Bleed Brakes / ELT / Fuel Tank

Another day and tackling several different aspects of the build, hoping to get it ready to move to the hangar soon.

I started out with the help of N to get the brakes bleed. After doing a little research online and EAA videos I chose to bleed the brakes using an oil can and hand pumping the fluid from the bottom up. This worked out fairly well. It took a little work getting air bubbles to completely resolve through the cylinders, but it was accomplished. Overall it worked out better than I imagined. And no visible leaks found so far.

I then installed the batteries on the ELT remote and audio alert. The remote was then installed in the panel.

The canopy light was installed. The fuel tank was installed along the the neck. The plans called for fuel sealant to be placed between the neck and the turtle skin, so fuel sealant was mixed and placed prior to setting the screw of the fuel neck.

Time: 4 hrs

Bleeding of brakes

Brakes bleed

ELT remote installed

Canopy light installed

Fuel tank installed

Fuel sealant around fuel inlet

Stabilator / Steps / Fuses / Pitot tube

Started today with several misc. items. With the help of S & N I was able to re-attached the stabilator. I then installed the steps and the fuses. The replacement fuses were then placed in a block on the back of the map box door.

I then started section 47 - Spinner & Propeller. The pitot tube was prepared with the pitot block as per plans. This involved making a slight dimple (or drilled indentation) in the pitot tube. The block and pitot tube were then installed. The pitot tubes were then attached with safety wire. I prepared the spinner by trimming and sanding to the time line. The bushing was then placed in the spinner. I used superglue for this step.  The spinner plate and hub mount half was then installed. Bolts were torqued as per specified with the propeller.

Time: 3.5 hrs

Stabilator Re-attached

Step

Fuses placed

Fuse replacements

Pitot Block

Pitot Tube

Pitot Tube attached

Spinner

Spinner Plate and Hub mount Half

Firewall FWD Harness

I installed the right panel and mapbox, attaching the GPS 20A to the top of the mapbox.

I then started the Firewall forward wiring harness. This required a few wires to be put through the holes in the bottom of the panel. A little tricky with the transponder installed, but doable. Wires were then placed through grommet in firewall. The pitot tube pieces were then joined with a short piece of tubing and also placed through the firewall.

Battery, master relay, and manifold pressure sensor were then installed. The plans called for installed a starter relay, but I could not locate it. Later in doing some reading on vansairforce it was stated that it is with the engine. I will have to look for it next time.

Time: 2.5 hrs

Mapbox installed

Right panel installed

Battery

Master relay, and Manifold pressure sensor

Battery wire

Firewall FWD harness

Wires nicely tie wrapped

Avionics Cont.

Big accomplishments today. Started with installing the center panel and Power & Switch module.  The potentiometer was then installed. The left panel and Ignition & Start module was then installed.  Then followed the GMC 307, COM radio, and Autopilot disconnect switch.  The panel is starting to look good.

The GEA 24 along with the wiring harnesses were installed along with the transponder and GPS 20A (that will attach to top of mapbox).  There were a couple wires that were ran to the pitch servo and had to replace a couple wire in the connector. The G3X was tried in. I will wait until later to permenantly install. A wire in the EFIS wiring had to be spliced so that was accomplished as per plans.

I then went back through the plans and decided to do some of the misc. section. The baggage floor, and seat floors were installed along with the crotch strap for the seat belts. It is almost time to be out of the cockpit and onto the firewall forward.

Time: 8.5 hrs

Center panel and Power & Switch

Potentiometer

Left panel and Ignition & Start module installed

GMC 307 installed

Com radio installed

Autopilot disconnect

GEA 24

Pitch servo wiring

Pitch servo

G3X tried in place

Red/White wire to be spliced

Wire spliced

Transponder, GPS 20 A wired

Panel wiring

Panel wiring

Baggage floor installed

Floor installed