I tried to hold off as long as I could - but it looks like I'm in full on project mode now on my new 62 180E. Its started off just wanted to add some additional room with the extended baggage.. no problem - well I wanted the Airglass Carbon Fiber that is "floor level" (as much as it can be at least). Which meant I needed to move the battery to the firewall - no problem I bought the FA Dodge battery mount... Well as it turns out a perviously installed remote oil filter was installed right were the battery needs to go.. and the original manufacture of the remote oil filter mount is no longer in business - so I need to find some place to move it to. So now I have the cowling off and the remote oil filter off (so I ain't flying) I start going into full on project mode. Next thing you know - I have ordered the Whelen tail and wing position/strobe lights, the smooth Vertical Top (no beacon and removing the ADF antennas) from Stene Aviation, my ELT battery was due this month, and it been end of life by the manufacture so I can't get a new battery, so looks like I'm going to be adding a 406 ELT to the list. Door Stewards, Rosen Visors, bunch of little stuff. Plus I want to remove the ADF and DME (look folks I fly VFR - with GPS, I'm never going to use that crap - although I used the ADF to listen to the giants baseball on AM radio broadcast), new side windows (adding the 3rd window mod). But first things first - I have to get the inside cleaned up and painted.

So here it is - with all the seats removed, still time to turn back!


Ok - I'm committed at this point.


Now I'm really committed


The old battery cable was much easier to remove this time - several pounds of copper to take to a recycler - figure it should be worth at least a 6 pack.


That black goo is THICK - but I learned alot from last time - its just takes some very nasty chemicals and elbow grease. The glue and old cheap primer on the floor comes off pretty easy.


Ok so - as I mentioned I want to remove the DME and ADF. These two things are on the belly of the plane - same section of the extended baggage (but outside on the belly) the big one is the DME (I think ) but that other one - not sure what that one is - anyone know? I can trace the cable - but just wondering if anyone can identify it from the picture (I'm hoping it has something to do with the DME or ADF so I can remove both)

The small antenna is the marker antenna.
It has nothing to do with the ADF antenna

Stop now while you still can!!!

That's a good looking 180. Will be even better once you're done.

I added the Whelen LED strobes as well recently, you'll love them.

Ya I agree that it's te marker beacon. Might as well yank it out too.
Looks great! You'll love it when you're done!

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It was 112 degrees in the hangar today - so not much progress, removed some more 60's (actually even older I guess) technology from the plane.

Off with the old tail position light - replacing with a Whelen Orion 500


Next up - rotating beacon and ADF antennas


Gonzo! - replacing with wingtip Whelen Orion 650 and the 500 on the tail for position/strobe and the ADF - well all I ever used the ADF for was to listen to the Giants on the radio - so I guess its being replaced by XM radio. Will be installing a replacement vertical cap from Stene Aviation - I figure I will gain about 0.004 knots


Museum pieces

I kept my DME - VOR + DME was good if Garmin went down or into those famous western "test" areas.
Could skim a hot MOA with VOR and DME
Just my choice in 2004

Nice! In for a penny, in for a pound. Keep the pics coming... Looks great!

FWIW those were VOR antennae on the vertical, not ADF.

hotrod180 wrote:FWIW those were VOR antennae on the vertical, not ADF.

Yep correct - I mislabeled it. I'm pulling the VOR, ADF, Marker, and DME antennas + all of the corresponding equipment in the panel.

I plan to replace it with a Garmin GTN 650 - which will give me GPS + VOR/ILS (if I decided to get my IFR cert I believe that is all I would need - is that correct?) and I'm also assuming that Garmin will have its own antenna, so no reason to keep all of these antennas. If I have my assumptions wrong - let me know - its one of the main reasons I'm documenting this process here. I know I'll get alot of opinion - much of it is rooted in years of experience.

Personally, I'd leave the marker beacon in place, since you will already be carrying the receiver if you have a standard audio panel. Marker beacon isn't required for ILS but is required for some LOC approaches (see Appendix A in https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/med ... 50.24E.pdf
), especially if you don't have a second NAV/DME.

Looking good!

I imagine similar things for my '63 182 but I just can't imagine not being able to fly it for any length of time so the bigger projects will have to wait.

Which firewall battery did you choose? That is my next mod and would love to hear a PIREP.

Red circle is where your ADF antenna would have attached. Somewhere between a 1/4 and 1/2 wavelength piece of wire that stretched from the top of the cabin back to the vertical.





If it's about saving weight, I'd remove the Marker Beacon equipment; every ounce counts. We're not putting (much) funding into their maintenance and are continually phasing them out of the NAS.


Looking good!

albravo wrote:Looking good!

I imagine similar things for my '63 182 but I just can't imagine not being able to fly it for any length of time so the bigger projects will have to wait.

Which firewall battery did you choose? That is my next mod and would love to hear a PIREP.

I went with the FA Dodge firewall mounted battery box - seems to be the most common (and its STC'd). I have not installed it (hopefully this week) - but have it sitting on my work bench and happy with the construction of the part. As for the battery itself - the SBS J-16.

corefile wrote:

albravo wrote:Looking good!

I imagine similar things for my '63 182 but I just can't imagine not being able to fly it for any length of time so the bigger projects will have to wait.

Which firewall battery did you choose? That is my next mod and would love to hear a PIREP.

I went with the FA Dodge firewall mounted battery box - seems to be the most common (and its STC'd). I have not installed it (hopefully this week) - but have it sitting on my work bench and happy with the construction of the part. As for the battery itself - the SBS J-16.

I put this same setup on my 180. It is awesome. Highly recommended mod.

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I don't think the GTN650 will come with a VOR antenna which you will need to receive the LOC component of the ILS or the split-er which you will need for the GS receiver. It should have the GPS antenna.

Tim

TradeCraft wrote:...If it's about saving weight, I'd remove the Marker Beacon equipment; every ounce counts. We're not putting (much) funding into their maintenance and are continually phasing them out of the NAS.

I don't fly IFR so don't keep up on the procedures, but I know several NDB's in my area have been decommissioned and/or removed -- "Ritts" near KPAE, "Karney" & "Kitsap" near KPWT, "Mason" near KSHN, and "Elwha" near KCLM are a few of them.

Yeah I'm pretty much pulling every antenna that is not radio, transponder, ELT (I don't have any GPS yet)/

Any interest in mailing that clear rear position light glass bulb to a fellow BCPer? Mine is cracked pretty good.

-Asa

asa wrote:Any interest in mailing that clear rear position light glass bulb to a fellow BCPer? Mine is cracked pretty good.

-Asa

Yeah sure no problem - you want to send me a direct message with your info?

-paul

Ok its been slow going with this heat wave out here - but made a little progress today.

Test fitting the new vertical cap, still need to drill the holes and paint - looks faster doesn't it


Also pulled the marker and ADF antennas - I'll need rivets some plates to cover the holes and paint.


And no need for these anymore (not sure why these photos are showing up sideways)