Inexpensive aircraft upgrades / hacks

[Bolter]

On 10/14/2021 at 7:57 AM, skydvrboy said:

As for your grips, just get regular bicycle grips.  I have yet to touch any yoke that is more comfortable at any price.  The black ones show less dirt over the years.  Use Amazon smile and forward your donation to Mooney Summit Inc (or a charity of your choice).
https://smile.amazon.com/BV-Handlebar-Bicycle-Cycling-Handle/dp/B06XCFGXHV/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=bike+handlebar+tape&qid=1634222518&sr=8-2

 

Do you have a picture of the final wrap, applied to the yoke?  I am curious about some of the details around the corners, and how it looks as a final product.  Maybe it works better on the original yokes versus the J style yokes?

[skydvrboy]

3 hours ago, Bolter said:

Do you have a picture of the final wrap, applied to the yoke?

I’m starting a long trek to California tomorrow, so I’ll get a picture if I can remember.

[MMsuper21]

12 hours ago, skydvrboy said:

Pictures... or it didn't happen!

More pictures coming... great community here. Already using tons of info, just had my first encounter with the hanger fairy.

[skydvrboy]

V@MMsuper21 Beautiful plane, she looks FAST!!!  Your nose tire looks low, but that may just be the picture.  Should be 49 psi.

Edit. Mine is 49 psi. Big thanks to Hank for correcting me on the short body front tire pressure.

Edited October 21, 2021 by skydvrboy

[Hank]

32 minutes ago, skydvrboy said:

@MMsuper21 Beautiful plane, she looks FAST!!!  Your nose tire looks low, but that may just be the picture.  Should be 49 psi.

Short bodies are a simple 30 psi on all three.

[carusoam]

Depending on what tire tubes you have…

The pressure can start running down enough to need a refill each month…

With only 30psi in the front tire… it doesn’t need to lose that much to start looking like it needs a refill…

Holy cow that M20E looks nice!

PP thoughts from my M20C days… memories of the tie-down in winter…. 

Best regards,

-a-

[Hank]

12 minutes ago, carusoam said:

Holy cow that M20C looks nice!

PP thoughts from my M20C days… memories of the tie-down in winter…. 

That there is an E! No chin bump for the carb . . . .

[carusoam]

2 minutes ago, Hank said:

That there is an E! No chin bump for the carb . . . .

I’m on it… 

My memory didn’t last three lines… 

Best regards,

-a-

[MMsuper21]

Thanks guys, yes tire might need air again (30 PSI) I wonder if the south Florida (KLNA) weather is accelerating the deflation. I added air about 4 weeks ago and yesterday it was low again. Hence MSr wisdom ordered Black and Decker tire inflator last night. 

Also want to order a spare tube any consensus on the tires? Going through the forum there is the 70 and 90 degree valve stem camps (Michelin Airstop and AERO Classics)

To stay on topic "cheap" hacks for me so far:

- Co2 Monitor

- Tire Inflator

- Stratus (Or Stratux homebuild if anyone is interested PM me, just got Stratus 3 to hook into my ESG panel to use external antennas)

- Ei digital tach to replace aging High RPM oscillating mechanical tach.

- Replace broken GEM 602 with used one (Until sale for Ei CGR gauges comes around) 

- Replace leaking cork rocker gaskets with the orange Silicone Real Gaskets 

- Replace CYLINDER HEAD DRAIN hoses

- Working with Don for new right panel cover.

Learned quickly you better be mechanically inclined or a money magnet, even better both.

[hammdo]

On tires, when I had the G5 done in August, the IA and I both thought my front was low. We cked it and it was spot on @ 30 psi. We upped it to 35 PSI as a margin and to ensure prop clearance. Since then, tire is wearing much better...

-Don 

[ArtVandelay]

Short bodies are a simple 30 psi on all three.

The earlier Js had a shock on the nose gear, that was eliminated and most owners have removed it by now. Probably unnecessary when they increased the tire pressure to 49.
What about vintage models?

[N201MKTurbo]

Humm. The J POH says 49 PSI in the nose. I've always done 35 mains and 45 nose. 30 in the nose seems awfully low. I looked at the M20C POH in the download section and it didn't give tire pressure. Where are you guys getting these low pressures?

[David Lloyd]

The C's are 30 all around.  Pretty sure the E's are 45 or 49 on the nose only.

[Ragsf15e]

My ‘68F is definitely 49 on the nose.  It’s hard to keep it there… seems to want to settle at 40, but it’s definitely supposed to be 49.

[Guest]

From the maintenance manual 

[David Lloyd]

When all else fails, go by the book.

[MMsuper21]

1 hour ago, M20Doc said:

From the maintenance manual 

What POH is that? Can I get a copy? I got the original one that came with plane the 65 and 67 one you got one from 81.

The older ones just mention 30 Psi as a side note.

 

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, MMsuper21 said:

What POH is that? Can I get a copy? I got the original one that came with plane the 65 and 67 one you got one from 81.

The older ones just mention 30 Psi as a side note.

 

It’s from the airframe maintenance manual 

[jaylw314]

3 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

Humm. The J POH says 49 PSI in the nose. I've always done 35 mains and 45 nose. 30 in the nose seems awfully low. I looked at the M20C POH in the download section and it didn't give tire pressure. Where are you guys getting these low pressures?

It's on page 27 of the copy of the POH here:

Edit:  Ooops, never mind, @MMsuper21 beat me to it

Edited October 20, 2021 by jaylw314

[carusoam]

If you don’t have the latest copy of the POH for your model Mooney…. You are probably missing a bunch of useful info… that still applies to the earlier models…

They aren’t very expensive either…

Best regards,

-a-

[skydvrboy]

On 10/19/2021 at 10:52 AM, Bolter said:

Do you have a picture of the final wrap, applied to the yoke?  I am curious about some of the details around the corners, and how it looks as a final product.  Maybe it works better on the original yokes versus the J style yokes?

I did red and green to match the Nav lights just for fun, but the black tape they come with would have a classier look.

[Bolter]

3 hours ago, skydvrboy said:

I did red and green to match the Nav lights just for fun, but the black tape they come with would have a classier look.

I like the red-green choice!  Thanks for the pic.  Have a fun trip to SoCal.  

[skydvrboy]

On 10/14/2021 at 3:59 PM, MisfitSELF said:

I put these in my overhead lights.  Worked great.

Amazon.com: Shuyee Super Bright BA9S LED Car Bulbs, BA9 53 57 1895 64111 LED Lamp for Instrument Cluster Door Courtesy Map License Plate Light on RV Camper Trailer, Pack of 10 : Automotive

Just to let everyone know, these are not the right light bulbs.  You will need BA15 based bulbs not BA9. The photo below shows the difference.

I'm going to try something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/VehiCode-Replacement-Interior-Semi-Truck-Landscape/dp/B097MNL5Z8/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?crid=2V0BYINKMTT1B&keywords=ba15s+led+bulb+12v&qid=1637512092&s=automotive&sprefix=ba15s+%2Cautomotive%2C296&sr=1-14-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE2MUdKQkxOTjRWVzQmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAxMjk5NDIxWTdFMVFLSENCOENVJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5ODgxNjUxWE1UMUFVRU1VVU9TJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

Edited November 21, 2021 by skydvrboy

[MisfitSELF]

On 11/21/2021 at 8:30 AM, skydvrboy said:

Just to let everyone know, these are not the right light bulbs.  You will need BA15 based bulbs not BA9. The photo below shows the difference.

I'm going to try something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/VehiCode-Replacement-Interior-Semi-Truck-Landscape/dp/B097MNL5Z8/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?crid=2V0BYINKMTT1B&keywords=ba15s+led+bulb+12v&qid=1637512092&s=automotive&sprefix=ba15s+%2Cautomotive%2C296&sr=1-14-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE2MUdKQkxOTjRWVzQmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAxMjk5NDIxWTdFMVFLSENCOENVJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5ODgxNjUxWE1UMUFVRU1VVU9TJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

Worked in my M20J.  I guess you need to specify the bulb size.  They have all kinds on Amazon, I'm willing to bet you'll find the right one.

 

Edited November 23, 2021 by MisfitSELF

[0TreeLemur]

On 10/15/2021 at 12:30 AM, Andy95W said:

Alpha Aviation for seatbelts/shoulder harnesses.  Give them a call, it’s a family business and they actually answer the phone themselves.

If you have Johnson Bar landing gear, you’ll definitely want the inertial reel and push button release.  If you have electric gear, anything will do well.

https://alphaaviation.com/mooney-m20-front-fixed-strap-replacement-lift-lever/

+1 on push button release.   But, I don't have inertial reel shoulder belts and no problem operating the J-bar.  I find the inertial reel bulky and awkward.