I'll use this post to track some things in progress, completed or I'm dreaming up. One item that was completed is the brake shield temperature sensors, so it's been moved to the "mods" page.
Thinking about:
Lightning detection - connected to the Dynon EMS220. Flying into 2023 OSH, we were skirting weather and saw lightning as we neared Fisk, yet it didn't show up on ADS-B weather. Mouser sells lightning detection chips or Amazon sells lightning detectors (with counters and distance estimation). The LED warning could easily be connected to an unused input on the EMS 220. Possibly three of these units could be used to provide direction as well.
RF Direction Finder - Would be handy for SAR locating ELT beacons. Or errant chatter.
Whistle tubes - I've had neighbors (one's hangar is near the end of one of the runways) note that the canards landing here make a whooshing sound when they cross midfield or are on downwind, attributed to reduced power and low engine noise. I think it would be fun if I could make some whistle tubes that were exposed and active when either the nose gear was down or landing brake lowered. Or possibly inside the lower cowl. Or maybe install a truck air horn. :-) https://youtu.be/XKQP_qz4B9A?si=Bst9vdi2goVg_FOQ
Jigs for drilling the wing hard points, leg bows & other common parts that could be interchangeable.
In progress:
Installation of TVS (Transient Voltage Suppressors). I've added some 30 volt and recently got a batch of 15 volt diodes. They're placed across relay coils and inductive loads. The starter's motor still isn't protected and probably delivering a pretty big punch. The EarthX battery's BMS system when it becomes charged seems to isolate the cells if the alternator is keeping the voltage within range somewhere above 13 volts and below 14 volts. The result is that some noise may not be getting absorbed like it would into a lead acid battery.
Planned:
Strain gauge squat sensors mounted on the leg bow and nose gear strut - connect via Wheatstone bridges to open channels on the EMS 220 module for detecting take off, landing and measuring leg bow deflection on landing. Optimally, could be used for indicating gross weight and CG.
Custom Cozy cooler. Goes somewhere in the back or maybe strake pocket. Holds 10 or more .lbs of ice., drain valve T's into pilot relief drain tube. Update - So far we just plan on early morning departures to avoid cooking.
I need an alert that the buss or master switch has been left on when the engine is not running. I tried a low voltage alarm but it doesn't go off when the battery is fully charged after a flight. I'm thinking a pressure switch in the pilot's thigh rest would be a good logic point for activating an alert.
Landing/taxi lights. Currently leaning towards installing on the outboard leading edge of the main wings. https://glasair-owners.com/glastar-sportsman/how-to-builder-tips-glastar-sportsman/glastar-leading-edge-lights/
Completed:
Double Bazooka antennas (VOR and ILS). My canard didn't have the plans copper foil antennas installed. As a substitute, I've made some of theses antennas and will test them out. There's comments elsewhere that people have used these on aircraft and gotten good performance with them. I've connected them to an Avidyne IFD540 and need to test. Update - the VOR antenna works. Still need to test the ILS antenna. Update #2 ILS antenna works.
Improved NACA diffuser installed (07/12/22). The newer diffuser is smoother and stiffer than the original which had a little droop that was impeding cooling air. I'll see how the exhaust heat wrap performs before attempting more changes. Update - I've added ramps to put more air into #3 & #4 cylinders and have continued tweaking on them. May try to make these adjustable so they can be fine tuned. Since the diffuser works, I've moved this to completed.
Added a Koger Shade https://www.kogersunshades.com/ (as heat mitigation).
Failed/Not worthwhile:
Titanium exhaust heat wrap. (07/13/22) Cylinder's 3 and 4 are the hottest, which have exposure to the longest exhaust pipes. It appears some of the downsides to using wraps can be avoided by not over-wrapping the pipes (1/4" overlap recommended by DEI). Also not getting the wraps wet and letting them set for extended periods of time. Update - tried this and removed it. Didn't seem to help.
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