I have a 1966 PA-28 140 with a nearly original panel. The few upgrades are a Garmin GPSmap 196, and an E.I. EGT/CHT. Our panel layout is non-standard and has a useless clock in the center, right above the yoke. We are planing on installing the following:
GMA 340 audio panel
530w
GTR 225 radio
Trig TT31 Transponder
and 2 G5's for attitude and HSI/CDI
(a CGR-30 didn't make the cut due to budget)
We will rearrange the instruments to a standard layout and we are also planing on replacing all the fuses with breakers. I am working with my instructor who is an A&P and will let me do the install. I have good council for the wiring from a bud who is building his second RV14, both with panels that would make anyone drool, but he has never retrofit existing.
My initial questions are related to the actual panel itself, not the vinyl cover but the supporting structure. Mine appears to be riveted to vertical braces and also riveted horizontally across the top edge where the glare screen overhangs. I will need to cut into the existing panel to put a G5 where the clock is currently. What is a smart way to make those cuts? A Dremel? Jig saw?
Next, I am leaning towards not cutting a new panel and just painting and placarding the existing sub-panel. I am thinking I won't reinstall the vinyl panel trim cover, I like the industrial look of the raw sub panel. I may have to cut a small panel to hold the Klaxon breakers in the holes where the fuses were. Cutting a new panel would be nice but it is not in the budget. Aside from aesthetics, are there any major benefits to a new panel that I am overlooking? I figure if we want to make it pretty in a few years, we can cut, install and placard a new panel when the budget allows.
Next there is the issue with supporting my new center stack. Currently there is no internal bracing to hold the new equipment that is going in. The existing king radio and narco transponder are front mounted to the panel with no support in the back. I am thinking the 530 is heavy enough on its own that I should build some bracing that hangs to support the 4 new trays. Any advice for how to do that is greatly appreciated.
GMA 340 audio panel
530w
GTR 225 radio
Trig TT31 Transponder
and 2 G5's for attitude and HSI/CDI
(a CGR-30 didn't make the cut due to budget)
We will rearrange the instruments to a standard layout and we are also planing on replacing all the fuses with breakers. I am working with my instructor who is an A&P and will let me do the install. I have good council for the wiring from a bud who is building his second RV14, both with panels that would make anyone drool, but he has never retrofit existing.
My initial questions are related to the actual panel itself, not the vinyl cover but the supporting structure. Mine appears to be riveted to vertical braces and also riveted horizontally across the top edge where the glare screen overhangs. I will need to cut into the existing panel to put a G5 where the clock is currently. What is a smart way to make those cuts? A Dremel? Jig saw?
Next, I am leaning towards not cutting a new panel and just painting and placarding the existing sub-panel. I am thinking I won't reinstall the vinyl panel trim cover, I like the industrial look of the raw sub panel. I may have to cut a small panel to hold the Klaxon breakers in the holes where the fuses were. Cutting a new panel would be nice but it is not in the budget. Aside from aesthetics, are there any major benefits to a new panel that I am overlooking? I figure if we want to make it pretty in a few years, we can cut, install and placard a new panel when the budget allows.
Next there is the issue with supporting my new center stack. Currently there is no internal bracing to hold the new equipment that is going in. The existing king radio and narco transponder are front mounted to the panel with no support in the back. I am thinking the 530 is heavy enough on its own that I should build some bracing that hangs to support the 4 new trays. Any advice for how to do that is greatly appreciated.
