CMMPilot

No real Pirep on this one. Everything works as designed. I do wish the unit had an ON/Off Switch, but it's probably a good idea to unplug it when not in use anyway. Only mod was I mounted a piece of wood to the metal wall, as an insulator, then re-mounted the unit to the wood. Very happy with this simple build.

Eric, Thanks for the Constructive Feedback, I did have a Fire Extinguisher close by, but definitely see your point! (and agree) I ended up mounting the Power Supply on a Board and then mounting that board onto the wall with Bolts, rather than screws. That was the quick and dirty version to get it done, before we went to dinner... I did add a strain relief to the cable on the board for your exact reasons. (Great minds think alike) Unfortunately it does not have a power on/off switch, so I just unplug it when not in use. It would be easy to add a switch if I changed my mind. This unit comes with 2 modes: (selectable on the side of the unit) Charging Mode which will vary the voltage output related to the draw. (13.2V Storage Mode / 13.6V Normal Mode / 14.6V Boost Mode) Fixed Voltage Mode which is just that. You can adjust the output voltage by turning a small dial on the side, from 13V-16.5V. It will continuously provide the voltage selected. Not certain which is the best for me, so I set it for Fixed Voltage at 13.6V to run my Avionics, as I don't intend to leave it connected as a battery tender. Chris

Someone may have done this or something similar before, but I decided to film myself building my own Power Supply and uploaded it to YouTube. Check it out and let me know your thoughts. Please be nice....this is my first ever video attempt of this kind and I know it could be better. Constructive Criticism is welcome. Always willing to learn! Chris N231JY

email me cmoling16@gmail.com

Thought I was having issues with my Auto Pilot, but it seems that the Trim Motor needs replacing or rebuilding. Apparently, mine is creating too much drag and the clutch is not working properly. I have a Century 41 and I am having a hard time finding a used Motor. (Part# IC373-6-807). Anyone have a used motor or know where I might be able to find one, or even a parts plane to get one? Any insight is appreciated. Chris N231JY Mooney M20K 231

I was lucky enough to have Bob Cabe give me my training in my new Mooney. 10 hours abound San Antonio and the best BBQ I've ever had! Great CFI and Wonderful Human Being! Bob Cabe & Chris

Ziggy, Was hoping you might see this. All I can say is thanks for doing such a nice job on the interior and panel. I found the panel upgrade detail that you posted and it was awesome to be able to see. Rest assured that she will receive the same love under my watch. Chris

True, but I thought the long version might be more interesting...

Thanks! Can't wait to get started. Chris

Not late in my life, but way too late to get started. Wish I had taken it up in my 20's. I probably would've ended up on a different career path.

First thing: This is NOT a paid endorsement. I am compelled to write this post based on my personal experience as a first time Mooney Buyer/Owner and want to share that with other potential buyers. Second: The Back Story. I started flying late in life, in my early 50's, and have fallen in love with it. My first purchase was a Cessna 172G that was rotting on our field in the same tie-down spot it had occupied for over a decade. We finally convinced the old codger to let it go, so it could see blue skies again. After a lot of money and time, it was in great shape again and I flew it 300 hours in just over 2 years. I loved that plane, but when it was time to upgrade I was faced with the BIG Question...what next? I watched a lot of videos and took all kinds of advice from dozens of people. Ultimately, it came down to a Cessna 182RG or a Mooney. For me, I preferred the Mooney, but was cautioned by a number of hardline Cessna boys about the slippery Mooney and small interior space. I had never flown in a Mooney and desperately wanted to try one on. Looking at Controller weekly I noticed a lot of Mooney's for sale listed at one location in Texas. I thought, why travel around the country to see one plane here and one plane there, when I can go to San Antonio and see several models at once. No intention to purchase yet, just wanted to see a few up close and maybe get a ride in one. Late last year, I contacted the broker/seller, Jimmy Garrison and made arrangements to stop by while visiting San Antonio with my Girlfriend. He said to stop by anytime and take a look. Very casual and not pushy at all. When I arrived, I looked around the hangar and told him I was interested in a J model. He had several and offered to take me for a ride. Exactly what I was hoping for! Located at a tiny little airport north of San Antonio, Kestrel had a short strip with a steep elevation differential from end to end. I thought, If you can land a Mooney here, you can land it most other places. He let me take to yoke and I was amazed by the tight controls. The difference between rods and cables was obvious and I was further convinced. The next phase was impressive. Without feeling pushed at all, he asked me about my mission. Not in those words, but that was the question. I told him I was based in Florida and wanted something to get me up and down the east coast relatively fast, to visit my girlfriend in Washington D.C. That's when he introduced me to the 231. The J model was a great plane but he said I might want to consider the K model. The turbo has a reputation for being expensive, but he said if you treat it right, keep it cool and let it cool down properly, it will give me years of service. He had a 231 that was a trade in. It was beautiful! Relatively new paint job, brand new leather interior, onboard oxygen, good avionics and lots of extras... the previous owner obviously loved this plane too. Only problem was it had recently been converted to a glass panel and that scared the S#!* out of me. We are talking a big jump from my 172 on at least 3 different levels. Going from Steam Gauges to Dual Aspen's with an Avidyne GPS was overwhelming. I even asked if we could put some steam gauges back in it for backup and he looked at me strange and said Why? Jimmy said I would learn to love it and he even agreed to install a G5 for me as a backup. I left that day, still thinking I wanted a J model, because it was in my price range and the 231 about 30K more than I wanted to spend. After a long road trip to Guadalupe Peak and back, my girlfriend and I discussed the pros/cons. The 231 was a lot more money, but also a lot more plane. I called Jimmy and said we had decided on the 231 and we discussed a few final details before signing a contract. I didn't ask him to discount his asking price, rather I asked him to take care of a few things I intended to do anyway, like replace the nav lights with strobes. He was very accommodating and easy to talk to. He helped us arrange financing, since we were going above our budget. We agreed to split the annual/per-buy and he took care of the resulting squawk list. No more money out of pocket. I appreciated not getting in the weeds. A true benefit of paying asking price, especially when it's fair market. He arranged a CFI to do my type ratings and 10 hours for the insurance company. I flew to SAT and after 3 days at 1T7, I was ready to take her home, solo. Unfortunately, on the way to DC I lost the #5 cylinder they had replaced at the annual and landed safely at CHA (a Huge benefit of the EDM-900 but that's another post). I called Jimmy when I landed and told him what happened, he said not to worry and he would take care of it. I grabbed a commercial flight home, disappointed, but glad I didn't nuke the whole engine. J&J made good on the cylinder and I eventually I made it home to Florida. Since that time I have flown over 200 hours in my Mooney. Several trips to KVKX in Maryland (inside the Freeze!) and even my first trip to Oshkosh last summer. I love the plane and just finished the first Annual since my purchase. During the first few months of ownership, I had a few issues that popped up and suffice to say, Jimmy Garrison made it right. He treated me fairly and was always willing to communicate. I never felt like he was "done" with me and had moved on to the next sale. So many brokers I hear about only care about you until you sign on the line, then they don't remember your name. I always trusted Jimmy to do the right thing, even though he could've said it's your plane now, not my problem, good luck! The point is, he didn't. He stayed in contact and followed through on his promise and that's hard to find these days, so if you are ever in the market for a Mooney, I encourage you to give Jimmy Garrison a call. I know I will the next time I'm ready to upgrade. Chris N231JY

Robert, I am interested in fabricating a set of these as you did. I like the design and think it looks solid. Please send me the CAD and cut sheet. I can send you my e-mail if it's easier. Thanks, Chris