I have a '69 C182 that I would like to install an Selkirk Extended baggage kit in.

We have a couple of items on the radio shelf behind the baggage area that need to move before it is installed (ELT and STEC autopilot pitch computer).

The ELT is easy to figure out, it will go on the sidewall somewhere.

Any suggestions about the STEC box? Does the STEC box need to be moved? If it does need to move.... where can it go? The pictures for the SA63-100 kit on the Selkirk website show that there might be some space between the shelf and fiberglass floor. The cable bundle going to the STEC box has no service loop and would probably need to be extended by an avionics shop if it will need to be moved.

Thanks for the help.

I think you’ll have to read the STEC install manual to figure out where that box can go. A sized-to-fit mounting “table” or platform shelf could be fabbed to fit and lay just over the central longerons, picking up a few existing rivet holes, which the box could sit upon. Is there enough room? That’s where a tape measure would come in handy. Whether or not the STEC box can be pointed the other direction, I’d need the manual to know. If so, the connector could be depopulated and the wires passed through a lightening hole, and may be long enough to plug into the box after reassembly without splicing. Sometimes you can find a few inches upstream by judicious rerouting and tie wrapping.

jrc111 wrote:I think you’ll have to read the STEC install manual to figure out where that box can go. A sized-to-fit mounting “table” or platform shelf could be fabbed to fit and lay just over the central longerons, picking up a few existing rivet holes, which the box could sit upon. Is there enough room? That’s where a tape measure would come in handy. Whether or not the STEC box can be pointed the other direction, I’d need the manual to know. If so, the connector could be depopulated and the wires passed through a lightening hole, and may be long enough to plug into the box after reassembly without splicing. Sometimes you can find a few inches upstream by judicious rerouting and tie wrapping.

It appears there's enough room for a custom shelf. I'll pull up the STEC manual tonight and check.

Thanks for the suggestions. It was sort of the direction that I was thinking this would be going. Selkirk has said "move the box, sorry", but I don't have the Selkirk kit or installation instructions quite yet.

Which extended baggage kit are you considering? Selkirk offers several.
A couple are higher than the standard baggage area, with room for the standard aft-mounted battery underneath.
The ELT & autopilot unit should fit underneath as long as they're no higher than the top of the battery box.
You might need to add an access for them though.

Here's a picture of what we did to relocate the ELT in a 170 when a Selkirk extended baggage was installed. We basically installed a reinforced "bridge" across a couple of ribs to get it good and stiff. This is required by the mounting criteria for ELTs. Fabricated a door in the Selkirk floor piece for access, and ran cables under the floor.

Looks like you could do something similar with both the ELT and the autopilot box. The nice thing about having stuff under the floor instead of on the side wall is no worries about something being jostled when up above the floor.



MTV

On some of the later models, there is a bracket that mounts to the side of the fuselage, about two stringers up. Something that can easily be sourced from a salvage yard, they never sell them. It is a stock Cessna part, so you may not need any paperwork to relocate them up there.

Thanks for the photos and suggestions everyone. Selkirk kit has been ordered and should arrive sometime next week.