There are a few traps in fitting the instrument module which may not be all
that obvious.
Firstly it will be found that the unit is somewhat flexible as delivered.
But after internals such as frames for radios/transponders etc.are built in,
the extra rigidity which arises may mean that it can no longer be made to
conform to the shape which matches your bolt holes if you have mounted it
without the radio equipment.
Secondly, the natural and neatest line for cables/pitot
lines/fuel-gauge-return ( running horizontally from under the door sills)
disappears into the gap between the module and the cabin wall. Unfortunately
this gap narrows to virtually zero at the front so any conduit used has to be
stopped short. (it is very difficult to shorten a conduit containg cables,
epoxied to the sidewall ! ). It is probably best to preform plastic conduit
to dip below the module soon after it has entered the gap. It is most
unfortunate that further aft, the strengthening pillars for the forward lift
pins intersect this line. ( factory - can conduit be glassed through this
pillar without weakening it unacceptably ?)
Then there is the upholstery trap. In addition to making cutouts for the top
u/c frame attachment bolts, ensure that nothing is put on the top of the
tunnel in this region, as the base of the module scrapes along it and will
want all the space it can get here.
It is advisable to leave the attachment arrangement for the lower edges of
the module until everything is finished. It is well known that the top edge
of the footwell is badly placed for a simple bolt-through here so "making a
joggle" ( as the good book says ) needs to be done when the position is
final. The tunnel will support the unit well enough until then.
A panel for the choke mounting seems unnecessary as the cable has a flange
fitting which is easily pulled up to a hole and secured with the nut before
adding the knob. The knbob if a tunnel mounted throttle comes very close the
instrument module, so beware conflicts with the choke or any switches. The
choke is readily hidden away low in the u/c lever well, saving front panel
space.
Instrument fitting is necessarily left to tbe builders personal fancy and
some examples of wiring of early Europas have been published. The common
Narco ATR150 it is close to being too long in most positions. Fireproof
sockets mounted on the firewall itself removes the need for a mounting
plate and cables running through holes. A 100 mm. hole in the instr. module
above the passengers left foot can be used to make the connections without
having long loose straggling lines inside.
Quite a number of builders have now produced their own solutions to this
open-ended part of Europa building, so I hope the above will prompt them into
sharing their experiences with us.
Graham C.
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