Barnstormer-

I was thinking about putting my new E-04 exactly where you did.... ended up putting it back in the original spot because there are just too many little holes in this airplane. The old hole pattern was perfect so it won out.

gunny

hotrod180 wrote:Let us know how that starter works out for you. My 180 has a TCM Energizer-- good starter in good shape, but heavy. Not gonna change it unless it starts giving me problems, but it's always nice to have a plan B in mind ahead of time.

Only six starts so far. Cranks much slower, because of the gear reduction, but so far no problem starting. I had to call Hartzell to find out what the current draw is on the M-Drive so I'd know what size battery cable I'd need. The initial split second burst is about 350amps then it drops to 70 amps, so went with 4ga wire.

NZMaule wrote:Back to strut cuffs Barnstormer, any chance of a photo of the upper strut cuff installed? I take it these are the new STC'd 185 split cuffs you installed?
I'm about to order some but have an antennae plug coming out of one of my inspection panels for telemetry aerials and was wondering how much surface area the strut cuffs use up over those inspection panels compared to the rubbers, in particular the inspection panel just behind the strut.

Got em on today. The pictures below show first where I put the rivnuts, then the cuffs installed. Hope this helps.

Well it looks like I'll need to add wingtips to the list. The AeroLEDs and the 185's wingtips don't actually match very well. Something else I'll have Stene do in March.

Finished installing the firewall battery today. Excellent quality product.

Also pulled out a bunch of no longer used wire related to the old strobe and navs. I'll get you guys a picture of all the stuff removed at the conclusion of this phase of the mods - it's a pretty good sized pile. Tomorrow I'm going to go play with the SQ-2, and then start putting some of the 185's interior back together. Sunday will be finishing up the new extended baggage install.

Phil, make sure to ask Willie for the newer style sportsman wing tips. They're a little larger and add more wing area.... Unless you are going the RMD route, which look very nice... But spendy.

If you're going to replace the tips, I'd go with RMD tips. They are excellent quality fiberglass work, they fit well and the lights in the tips are where they should be for visibility. Then if you're installing a Sportsman, remove the regular landing light bucket (on older wing) or have double the lights with cowl mounted lights. Or, remove the cowl lights.

On a 185 I worked, the tips were POS, so they replaced with RMD. Pulse light installed, and wired so that left tip light and right cowl light flashed together, then right tip and left cowl light flashed together. ATC guys loved it....total light show from miles out.

MTV

Thanks for the strut cuff photos Barnstormer. Looks like they cover a fair portion of that rear inspection panel, but I think I can still fit my connector in there. Best I get to and order some.....cheers.

Thanks for the wingtip suggestions, I'll talk with Willie about both.

Finished installing the AeroLEDs today. Wow are they bright. Look at them, even in the sunlight, and you'll be seeing spots for awhile. Finished running the wire from the 406 ELT to the avionics stack where it will be hooked to the GTN650 when we install that. Also got the back wall of the new extended baggage in place, what a high class product. Added 1/2" Selkirk foam to the back side for sound and temp insulation. Also got the GTN650's antenna installed.

And I finally found an oil leak on the SQ2 that I've been chasing for the past few months. The oil was actually leaking out of the alternator, not the gasket but the alternator itself. It's gear driven off the same pad where the vacuum pump would be. Back of the engine yet the biggest oil leak was at the front dripping onto the muffler. Amazing how the wind in the cowling can move the oil leak. So the SQ2 is down as well now. Parts on order.

Both birds should be back together and flying by Wednesday. Will post more pics then. Excited to get this first phase of mods on the 185 wrapped up.

Flying the middle of February with the wife to San Diego for our oldest daughter's 40th birthday, see our grandkid and son-in-law, and then to Madera to visit more family.

Not looking forward to flying in all the blue airspace.

I sure like your strut cuffs..... hummmm.

gunny

Well it looks like I'll need to add wingtips to the list. The AeroLEDs and the 185's wingtips don't actually match very well.

When I talked to the AeroLED guys at OSH this year, they told me that they were working on some sort of kit that allowed mounting on the legacy Cessna tips where the strobes are normally recessed (with the shield/cover). They tried to describe it to me but didn't have a picture. I'm not sure if they have that available as an option at this point.

I'd like to add the RMD tips with leading edge landing lights too. Kinda waiting to do that and at the same time add the LED nav/strobe (and lose the power supplies at the same time).

Your project is looking great.

Ever thought about having some thick rubber around the strut there as it enters the fuselage? I have some 1/2" rubber that goes around mine and replace them yearly. Seems like they take a beating and would be something you want for certain. Almost looks like the metal has been cutting into yours when those gear legs flex?

AKT

aktahoe1 wrote:Ever thought about having some thick rubber around the strut there as it enters the fuselage? I have some 1/2" rubber that goes around mine and replace them yearly. Seems like they take a beating and would be something you want for certain. Almost looks like the metal has been cutting into yours when those gear legs flex?

AKT

AKT,
I hadn't but it sounds like an excellent idea. Couple of questions, where do you get your rubber, and (it's been awhile since I've had those plates off) do you still put the plates over the rubber or does the rubber's thickness keep it in? If you get a chance to post a photo please do.
Thanks

Have you had any problems with the vac of alternator on the sq2? Which one do you have?

Have you had any problems with the vac of alternator on the sq2? Which one do you have?

Tom wrote:Have you had any problems with the vac of alternator on the sq2? Which one do you have?

Here you can see the seal that was leaking. Got it replaced and the SQ2 is ready to fly again.

Woohoo! She's back together and ready to fly, or at least she will be as soon as I put the seats back in and the doors on.

Thrilled with this round of mods.

The AeroLEDs are insanely bright and use a fraction of the amps the legacy light did.

The firewall battery is the bomb! As you'll recall to start this off I changed out the old heavy starter with a new Hartzell M-Drive (light-weight and much less current draw). I was happy with the change, and not knowing any better I didn't think anything about it cranking slower, and starting out a bit slow. Well now that the battery is on the firewall, and the cables are only a couple of feet long, and I have a new master and starter contactor, the starter cranks over like crazy. Super, super pleased.

The new, lower extended baggage, very cool. You can see in this photo how much more room I gained (hint: look at the gray area under the insulation on the side walls and down to the new floor). Can't wait to fly her tomorrow.

Oh, and of course the new 406 ELT.

Floor looks great!

Lookin' good Phil! I especially like the result of moving the battery to the firewall on the M-Drive starter.... that starter is another thing on my list!

gunny

Barnstormer wrote:

aktahoe1 wrote:Ever thought about having some thick rubber around the strut there as it enters the fuselage? I have some 1/2" rubber that goes around mine and replace them yearly. Seems like they take a beating and would be something you want for certain. Almost looks like the metal has been cutting into yours when those gear legs flex?

AKT

AKT,
I hadn't but it sounds like an excellent idea. Couple of questions, where do you get your rubber, and (it's been awhile since I've had those plates off) do you still put the plates over the rubber or does the rubber's thickness keep it in? If you get a chance to post a photo please do.
Thanks

Here you go...I need to replace mine as they are starting to crack and they have been painted over but you get the idea..



Got the rubber at a hardware store. Pretty simple and straight forward but I do believe it helps. Saw it on a number of planes up north and thought it was a good idea.

AKT

AKT,

Thanks for the photos. I actually have pieces of inner tube rubber cut to fit under those plates, but I see how letting the rubber overlap the cover plate in the gear leg hole could provide some additional protection. I'll cut some new ones. Thanks again for the tip.