I've been going over my wiring spreadsheet several times to fill in details, figure out unknowns, assign pins and make sure I've got everything...  It's looking good and I think I'm nearly there.

I got an app note on assembling the XRC connectors.  Looks pretty easy.

Click here for the latest issue of Sling Squawk from TAF.

More connector stuff arrived today...

The 14-pin versions of the Molex XRC connectors.  Here the two parts are connected together.  Very nice!  I'll use the 3 I got for the wings and tail connections.  For these connections I'll be putting the power and ground wires through the connectors.  The connectors for the panel/sub-panel will only be used for signals and power lines.  All grounds will be going to the grounding block.

The exact crimper for the XRC pins/sockets.

Good article on aircraft plumbing.

Work has started on the garage.

 

New wood going in.

Work on the garage starts tomorrow!

Meanwhile, I decided to use the 14-pin version of the Molex connectors I already bought, for the two wing connections and the tail connections.  Figured I might as well standardize on that since I really like how robust they are and I have to buy an expensive crimper to properly crimp those terminals...

This is the male side of the 14-pin connector.  One thing I'll do over the next few days is assign all the pins for the 8 connectors...

All my tools covered up for the garage work.  All the other airplane parts are either out of the garage or well out of the way of the expected work.  Can't wait to get back to it!

Garage work starts on Tuesday.  Yay!  Can't wait to get back full blast and get'r done!

Thanks Mike for the wings dolly and Kerry for the assist in moving it across the street into a neighbor's garage.  Hopefully won't take long to get the work done.
Those wings haven't been off their shelves in probably 3 years.... 😎

Have you watched Dan Gyder's and Flight Chops new safety video?

Watch and post on any blogs or social media you have.  The more pilots that watch this, the few people will die flying.

Please watch and then share!!

Stuff has been arriving in the mail...

Got my SS rivets for the Service Bulletin.  I'll order this for the galvanic corrosion protection.

Got my zip ties and the Molex XRC connectors and pins, etc.

Clicks together very nicely.  Now I just need to figure out how you put the terminals/wires into the connectors...  Not obvious.. At least to me...

I got all the Molex connector stuff figured out, so I went ahead and ordered all the parts I need.

As I mentioned previously, I'm going to install five 31-connection Molex XRC connectors, which is more than I need, but will give me lots of margin for mistakes and changes.

This is what I ordered:

(5) Molex 84510-0004 Plug
(80) Molex 84524-0012 Pin (goes into Plug)
(5) Molex 84511-0004 Receptacle
(80) Molex 84525-0025 Socket (goes into Receptacle)  NOTE: I had to order this from Digi-Key because for some strange reason the minimum order for this particular part is 3000 units (I double checked with Allied and they gave me the Digi-Key link).
(5) Molex 84506-0012 Panel Mount Hex Nut

Once I get all those parts I will start to connect the wires to them and install the Receptacles (random choice) in the sub-panel rib from the backside, facing toward the cockpit.

The plan is to be able to rivet in the dash/panel, plug in those 5 connectors, connect the Coax's for the COM and NAV and power it up...  OK, maybe there'll be some other connections to make - but my goal is to make it as straightforward as possible.

Meanwhile, the garage work will be starting soon....  In the meantime I can do a lot of the above work without access to the fuselage (do the panel end for now for example).

Mostly been working out all the wiring and filling out the connection spreadsheet (see below or on the Avionics & Electrical Page as they update automatically as I work on it.

The package from SteinAir is very complete with all the wiring harnesses for the engine.  Nice!
I just noticed this pic is upside down from how I took it.  Hope it doesn't make you dizzy. 😎

Also decided I'm going to get 5 sets of the Molex XRC connectors to install on the sub-panel rib.  This is way more than I need, but it will give me plenty of margin for wires I missed or future changes.  I'll post all the part numbers once I have that totally figured out (lots of options...).

Using those connectors (which I can wire up and install before installing the dash and panel) will make installing the panel WAY easier (and less stressful to think about!) as it will be largely plug-and-play.

Spent a couple of hours pouring over the panel, SteinAir schematics, etc. digging into the details of the wiring.

Here's the latest connections spreadsheet with tons more details (this spreadsheet is also on the Avionics & Electrical Page).  I think this is fairly complete at this point, but will continue to evaluate.  This will allow me to finalize the Molex connectors I'll mount on the sub-panel.

I'm really liking these Molex connectors for the 3 that I'm thinking about putting on the "sub-panel" rib.

Here's a video about them:

Time to finish gathering all the info on the various wires I'll need to connect to these...

Just some pics and a rough sketch...

Took pics of all the misc. wires attached to the panel...

Back of the starter switch.  I know I have a couple of wires to connect to this.

I need to dive deeper into all the connections, but this is my current thinking on using Cannon-style connectors mounted on the sub-panel.  Three used as follows (left to right):

1. Panel <==> FF
2. Panel <==> Fuselage
3. Fuselage <==> VPX

Trying to get some things done while I wait for the garage to be repaired...

Removed the straight fitting on the oil thermostat since the barbs were the wrong size.  The correct one is on order and should arrive within a day or two.

Took pics of the power connectors that plug into the VPX so I can determine what wires/pins I need to insert for the various power connections to the lights, etc.  Starting to update my wiring list so I can plan the Cannon plugs and get that going.

I've been doing background work so, when I get the plane back, I can hit the ground running.

One thing I've been working on is the wiring.  I saw an article in this month's Kitplanes Magazine about using Cannon-type connectors for your misc. power (and other) wiring to make it easy to hook things up, disconnect if necessary and it's just plain neater.  This is an example of that type connector.  I like it - Just need to understand it more (lots of options), and figure out what wires will go through these connectors and which ones won't.

I've also been discussing with TAF SA about the fittings for the oil system.  I seem to be missing parts (and the manual is unclear) and wasn't getting the info I needed from TAF - Turns out the 914's delivered to TAF in SA have different fittings for the oil system than what's delivered here in the US - Hence the confusion....

I also was looking at the various fittings in the oil system and noticed that the barbed ends for the three 90deg fittings on the oil thermostat are a different size from the straight fitting I have on there.  Not sure why I didn't notice this before...  I think the straight one is too small as the 1/2" ID oil hose slips on too easily to be correct.  I don't have any other straight fittings that would be the right barbed size.  Getting clarification from TAF SA and will order some fittings tomorrow.  Stay tuned...