What's behind the panel.

[Denis Mexted]

I love looking at all the great work on peoples panels. They're very helpful. 

But I thought I'd start this separate thread seeking information on what's behind those new panels. I thinking a 1 or 2 piece 100 thou new panel.

Are people keeping the shock mounts? 

What happens to the top section here in red when the pug nose windshield gets changed out to the sloped windshield?

If I was to put the sloped Lasar windshield mod in, how do one get access to the hydraulic reservoir?

Any advice on mounting the instrument panel, and changing out to the sloped windshield would be gratefully welcomed. 

Thanks.

 

[1964-M20E]

I guess you are going all glass? 

1. I would keep the original windshield go one piece if you have the two piece.  The rear panel access is wonderful. 

2. My F has the conversion with removable pieces in the corners so I have access to the hydraulics.  I'm not sure what 201 windshield conversion that is.

3. I would make it 2 pieces if you need to access something you can disassemble one side not the whole thing.

4.  Shock mounts ???

 

[A64Pilot]

When I did my Maule. I took the original panel out and cut the entire center of it out leaving about a 1” edge of it left. to this I cut a full size panel overlay that fit on top of it and attached with several screws, nut plates installed in original panel of course. Actually I didn’t take it out now that I think about it, I removed everything and cut the center of it out. 

That’s actually the way a Thrush instrument panel is made, what that gives you us the ability to remove a few screws and the entire panel with everything still in it can be laid down on the yoke and give you full access to everything behind the panel, so no more laying on your back on the floor trying to reach up in the panel, everything can be done sitting in the seats

Do what needs doing and when done simply place the panel back in the hole and replace the screws, and if at a later date you decide to change things in the panel, it’s as simple as cutting another overlay.

Look at the right side panel and you will see the screws around the edge that if removed the entire panel comes out the front, just leave enough wire slack to allow it of course.

The Maule didn’t have shock mounts, it’s panel is riveted in.

My 1946 Cessna interestingly does have shock mounts. I replaced them, they have rubber inserts that of course over the years decay just like our shock doughnuts do, They aren’t hard to find as they are used on many avionics box installation too.

 

Edited July 15, 2023 by A64Pilot

[PT20J]

Ditch the shock mounts. They are there to protect the bearings in mechanical gyros. But electronic instruments with built AHRS don’t need them and they can sometime cause anomalous behavior. 

[Ragsf15e]

I have a 201 windshield with no access points to the back of instruments or hydraulics.  There is a hydraulic fill line plumbed through the firewall, but access is very limited and causes problems.  I’m not convinced the 201 windshield adds a lot other than looks.

[M20F-1968]

My panel was installed with an instrument panel bow from a 1998 Ovation.  It is in 3 pieces, Pilot's panel, Co-pilot's panel, and fuse panel.  The fuse panel comes completely out and has a long enough service loop so that it lies on your lap.  Behind each of the other panel edges is a wide piece of verticle aluminum bar fixed in place.  The panels screw in them, and the avionics racks screw into them as well.  The avionics trays come out creating a large hole in the panel for work access.  No need for external panels that can leak water.

John Breda

[Denis Mexted]

I thank everyone for their replies.

The only instrument with a Gimbal in it will be the T&B. But the ASI, ALT and VSI are original. 

Do you have any photo's of that John Breda?