Tray mounting

[chrixxer]

Today my task was to remove the trays for the Terra gear. Which became, due to the use of nyloc nuts, the removal (well, unmounting) of almost everything, including the entire pilot side panel. (Nothing unhooked, just moved out of the way.)

I am never, ever, ever, using nyloc nuts anywhere hard to get to again.

What's the 'best practice' alternative? Was thinking nut plates but not wild about riveting anything. Clip nuts? 

Edited June 12, 2017 by chrixxer

[N6758N]

I don't think Mooney started riveting trays in until the 70's but I could be wrong. Either way, here is what we always used for tray installation:

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/hapages/04-00151.php?clickkey=3024976

[bradp]

Riveting seems like an overly committal / permanent idea too. 

[jaylw314]

Rivnuts?  At least their installation is easier than nutplates, but they're still pretty permanent.

On the other hand, maybe you have a commitment problem? 

[N201MKTurbo]

Nuts and screws are the most non committal, but you don't like them. Anything else is going to be a bigger pain if you want to change avionics. Hell mine use double countersunk rivets I had to remove the whole stack to change anything. If you come up with a better idea let me know.

[chrixxer]

On 6/12/2017 at 4:40 AM, N6758N said:

I don't think Mooney started riveting trays in until the 70's but I could be wrong. Either way, here is what we always used for tray installation:

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/hapages/04-00151.php?clickkey=3024976

This is what I'm going with; my A&P approved. 

[MB65E]

My entire panel is held together with -6 low profile nylon locking nuts with mostly flush countersunk screws. You just need to have some creative tooling for access. Standard screwdrivers and sockets won't cut it. Small ignition wrenches and midget gear head wrenches work great along with Angled screwdrivers. Don't use stainless as you won't be able to snatch it with a magnet. 

The clip nuts will work, but not for everything. I've always had issue with their larger size.

On Some of my stuff- I used angle stock and tapped it. No nuts required!!

-Matt

 

[chrixxer]

I'm really struggling with this avionics install - not the actual work, but the planning! What started off as a simple "swap in the SL30 with a wiring harness that reuses almost everything" has become a "well, might as well put in a new indicator and ditch all the Terra stuff, and yank the intercom since the GMA340 will do that and has to go in sometime, and as long as the GPS is fixed, might as well make it IFR legal with a CDI and lights, and as long as you're opening up that can of worms, hell, it can talk to the SL30, so let's RS232 that, and, oh hell, the panel really does need to be redone, as long as everything's pulled apart might as well ... What about the WX-1000? Meh, yank the display for now, if it can be economically fixed, do that later..." Etc.

[MB65E]

3 minutes ago, chrixxer said:

I'm really struggling with this avionics install - not the actual work, but the planning! What started off as a simple "swap in the SL30 with a wiring harness that reuses almost everything" has become a "well, might as well put in a new indicator and ditch all the Terra stuff, and yank the intercom since the GMA340 will do that and has to go in sometime, and as long as the GPS is fixed, might as well make it IFR legal with a CDI and lights, and as long as you're opening up that can of worms, hell, it can talk to the SL30, so let's RS232 that, and, oh hell, the panel really does need to be redone, as long as everything's pulled apart might as well ... What about the WX-1000? Meh, yank the display for now, if it can be economically fixed, do that later..." Etc.

Yup- this all started with an generator to alternator conversion!! We all have similar pictures.

-Matt

 

[gsxrpilot]

21 minutes ago, chrixxer said:

I'm really struggling with this avionics install - not the actual work, but the planning! What started off as a simple "swap in the SL30 with a wiring harness that reuses almost everything" has become a "well, might as well put in a new indicator and ditch all the Terra stuff, and yank the intercom since the GMA340 will do that and has to go in sometime, and as long as the GPS is fixed, might as well make it IFR legal with a CDI and lights, and as long as you're opening up that can of worms, hell, it can talk to the SL30, so let's RS232 that, and, oh hell, the panel really does need to be redone, as long as everything's pulled apart might as well ... What about the WX-1000? Meh, yank the display for now, if it can be economically fixed, do that later..." Etc.

We've all been there! 

Mine started with a good deal on a trade in for my 530W on an IFD540... Then I found a great deal on an Aspen... 

I still have the ASI, Altimeter, KFC150, and GDL69a... everything else in the panel is new. 

Be careful, it can get away from you quickly.

[Godfather]

18 minutes ago, chrixxer said:

I'm really struggling with this avionics install - not the actual work, but the planning! What started off as a simple "swap in the SL30 with a wiring harness that reuses almost everything" has become a "well, might as well put in a new indicator and ditch all the Terra stuff, and yank the intercom since the GMA340 will do that and has to go in sometime, and as long as the GPS is fixed, might as well make it IFR legal with a CDI and lights, and as long as you're opening up that can of worms, hell, it can talk to the SL30, so let's RS232 that, and, oh hell, the panel really does need to be redone, as long as everything's pulled apart might as well ... What about the WX-1000? Meh, yank the display for now, if it can be economically fixed, do that later..." Etc.

I think those of us who have been around aviation long enough could see this coming. However, in my opinion you are asking exactly the right questions.  Don't get discouraged, you are flying a lot more than the average pilot so you can really enjoy the items you put in the panel. 

[bradp]

What if you want it to get away a little more than the SWMBO lets you?  I was never good at winning a debate. ;-)

[chrixxer]

Feature creep was getting away from me. I'm leaving most things as-is for now. The plane's been AOG for three weeks already. I'll revisit later.