Tue Oct 28 18:38:01 2008 - In addition to all the Molex stuff, this was also my first attempt at labeling wires. So far, I'm pleased with all the results.

Tue Oct 28 18:49:38 2008 - The Gretz heated pitot tube with it's Molex connectors. All this will slide in and out of the pitot tube mast for easy maintenance.

Tue Oct 28 19:02:14 2008 - Ok, where do I start. First off, this is the control module for Gretz heated pitot tube. Rather than just applying electricity to the pitot tube, this little guy regulates it and provides cockpit notification if it's "On", "Heating Element On", and "Low Temp". Second, this PCB was held in place with nut-plates, screws, and spacers. A complete disaster if I ever needed to be replace the unit. So I substituted some 6-32 metal stand-offs. Third, I received my order of "Molex" connectors so this my first attempt at using those little buggers - kinda neat but time consuming. I'm sure things will speed up as I get more comfortable.

Thu Sep 18 16:55:25 2008 - Successfully pressure tested both tanks. I think the only think left to do is to rivet on the bottom skins.

Tue Sep 9 19:59:01 2008 - Torqued all the nuts and bolts to spec and applied "torque seal" as a reminder that they had been done. I also ran two extra "pitot tubing runs". One for the AoA tubes (together they fit snuggly into a 1/4" ID snap bushing), and the second one as a "just in case"/"reserved for future use and/or expansion". Much easier to do this now. I am a little concerned about the tubing rubbing against aileron bracket, however. I'll have to see what others have done in this area. On the fuselage, I've a 1/2" ID snap busing for the pitot tube/AoA tubing. Electrical and coax will pass in the conduit. Which reminds me. I upgraded my conduit from 5/8" to 3/4". I found that if I stretched the 3/4" stuff just right, it would pass through the 5/8" holes in the ribs. Benefits are that the ribs then engage the conduit keeping it in in place and I've got full use of the 5/8" ID for more cables.

Tue Sep 9 19:18:02 2008 - Decided that the pro-seal had cured long enough and attached the "guide" hose.

Tue Sep 9 17:18:13 2008 - Here's what the Gretz heated pitot tube control module looks like.

Tue Sep 9 17:09:14 2008 - Attached the nut plates for the Gretz Aero heated pitot tube controller module. I called Warren Gretz this morning to verify that it was OK to mount the module in the wing; no problems in doing so. I am thinking of moving it one bay inward for easier wiring access.

Mon Sep 8 20:12:16 2008 - This is the culprit. A couple of things strike me odd about this nut plate. It's not an AN3 nor AN4 and it's too round. Metric?!?! Anyways, I'm glad I found this out now and not when the bottom skins were already riveted on.

Mon Sep 8 20:11:51 2008 - I'm not even flying and I'm already performing maintenance! I went to torque the AN3 bots that attach the Z-Brackets to the main spar and one of the bolts just kept turning. Off came the tank and replaced one of the nut plates. Which begs the question, shat does one do when a nut plate is not accessible?