March 9, 2008 - Firewall Recess

 I wired the AN Shunt to the Dynon.  I put a fuse link on each wire per the instructions.  A fuse link is just a thinner AWG24 wire butt-splied to the Dynon wire.  The idea is that the thinner wire will fail first if there is too much current for some reason.  It's easier and less bulky than a 1 Amp fuse. 

While doing the AN Shunt wiring, I realized I needed to run the Outside Air Temperature (OAT) sensor wires from the Dynon down the firewall and down the center bottom bundle.  So I did that.  The OAT sensor itself will be on the bottom of the right wing. 

 
Today's goal was to rivet the firewall recess in.  Before I did that, I wanted to finish up everything just aft of the firewall while I still had access through the recess opening. 
 
I started off by torqueing all the aluminum AN fittings on or near the firewall.  To do that, I used the "crows feet" for the first time.   
 
A fellow builder who lives in the local area, Mike B., had loaned me some high-temperature sealant, and I used that for the first time on the Recess.  Then using the Main Squeeze, I riveted the six side rivets of the Recess. 
 
I installed cotter pins on all castle nuts for the rudder pedals and brake cylinders.  I should have done this before I put the rudder pedals in the airplane -- it would have been MUCH easier.  I was able to do it but it took me over an hour and it wasn't fun. 
  
The little red dot on the AN fitting means it has been torqued. 
  
I smeared more high-temp sealant on the Recess flanges, then clecoed it into the firewall. 
  
Lynnette came down and we riveted the Recess to the firewall.  To buck the bottom row, Lynnette climbed into the airplane and layed flat with her upper body in the front of the plane.  What a trooper!  
 
And that's that. 
 
Later, I cleaned the garage up in preparation for the long-awaited move from the basement to the garage is scheduled in two weeks. 
 
 
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