Ta-da.... I just have to cut the threads on the control rods for locking mechanism on the included version

The Red Baron!

Quoted from Ricardo

The Red Baron!

Thanks Ricardo! According to my wife I am more like snoopy😉

Such a great job! Congratulations! This is a ,,cheer up" page for me cause my restoration project is not moving forward lately due to cold weather and total lack of time. It is so nice to see how other project is reaching it's goal! Keep posting nice pictures!

Nice very nice work Brian.I like your idea about the generator, are you going to use regulator or just connect it direct.Where did you get it, i want it too.

Quoted from vitek

Such a great job! Congratulations! This is a ,,cheer up" page for me cause my restoration project is not moving forward lately due to cold weather and total lack of time. It is so nice to see how other project is reaching it's goal! Keep posting nice pictures!

Thank you. Everyone here has been very supportive .... Hopefully you get back on track with your restoration soon!
Hey Rich The generator is a Self contained unit with voltage regulator that plugs in. Very neat unit available from a company called  Genipod from JMH innovations. The guy was great to deal with. Weight is less than 3 pounds. Looks well thought out if you have trouble finding his website PM me your email and I will send you a link.

The build continues!

Wow those wind shields look great! Can not wait to see them loaded up with bugs, lol.

Look at the picture of the generator in it's mount sitting on the workbench.
Does anything look unusual about the shape of the blades on the rotor?
If I was assembling such a unit I'd naturally try to put the fan on the other way around.
Just an observation . . .

Looks ok to me - the blade starts 'fine' & coarsens in pitch. If the blade was the other way round, the leading edge wouldn't do much.

The pitch looks about right for Max speeds - I'll be interested to hear what it produces in service.

Bruce

You could test it fairly easy by  mounting it on a 2x4x8 and mount the 2x4 in the bed of a pickup truck sticking up into undisturbed air and drive at 60mph and wire it to a volt meter. People might think it strange so do it early in the morning. I see no reason for it not to work. I hope the shaft is supported by bearings and not just bushings. Wind generators like this where used in the past. Back when I was a kid a lot of bikes had a dynamo mounted so it could be applied to th rear tire and turned, They gave enough power to run the headlight on the bike.

Quoted Text

I'll be interested to hear what it produces in service

You mean when dive-bombing will it scream like a Stuka?  

Now there's an idea. . .

Quoted from redmudislander

Look at the picture of the generator in it's mount sitting on the workbench.
Does anything look unusual about the shape of the blades on the rotor?
If I was assembling such a unit I'd naturally try to put the fan on the other way around.
Just an observation . . .

Yeah it looks like they are reusing an impeller designed for a ducted fan application.  The forward blade faces are curved and rear faces flat (relatively) as per standard propeller practice.

I am sure it will work fine as it is.

But one can pretty easily see some optimizations which could be made.  Such as that mounting flange running around the body and creating a much larger aero profile compared to a simple pylon or body clamp.  And what is the deal with the monster flange to support the wiring connector socket?  The hub of the impeller should be equal in diameter to the motor/generator body.  I would wonder about putting this into a duct for higher output and less drag.  Thoughts like these are what slow my projects to a crawl...

Thanks for all the suggestions on the wind generator. I gave tested it by holding it out the window of my car at 75 with a meter attached and I get an honest 4 amps. There is lots of room for streamlining the generator..... But I want to fly... Small improvements such as  can be done after I am flying her. Esp when not  flying during inclement weather.... Unfortunately too much of it here at times!
Moving forward I am installing rudder/ tailwheel cables. Running them under the seat (thanks for the pics Bruce) installing elevator trim ect! Heads for engine are back from hummell aviation I sent them back to get drilled for duel plugs! Nice work by Scott and fast turnaround time. While there and heads were off I had him do a valve job. The engine I purchased has 145 hours on it. It looks good!
I am making the 1/4 inch washers for mounting engine (I doubt any could question rather 51% rule on this build😀) here you see them being made. Final buffing still to be completed an a few. But you see a couple ready to go. Also in the photos you see the elevator trim control almost ready to mount

Elevator trim and engine mounting washers. Elevator trim has plastic washers sandwiched between handle for smooth action and tightened to a moderate resistance......engine  washers. The smaller ones call for 13/64 ID. The hole  saw has 1/4 drill. Then I used a step drill to 3/8 I will then ream to 13/64. Larger discs are 1/4 ID,  who hoo.........just ream to fit. Use lots of oil during drilling and watch the heat build up!!!!!

And have to toss in a couple " candy" photos here you see me modeling the different canopies. Also trying the max on for final fit and placement of various controls! All Coming along nicely..... Note mount  on top of vertical fin for strobe! Just had a conversation with a Vmax builder he had to put 19 pounds of weight in tail!!!! . But he was also running a fuselage fuel tank. I have duel wing tanks that are basically on the CG! So I may put a couple more items toward the tail..... I.E. Battery!

Open canopy

and a much prettier model for the open and closed cockpit than me........ my wife came by to see where I have been spending my time!

One more... Oh BTW the Sonex in background is just waiting condition inspection and airworthy certificate to start phase one testing!

Engine being re-assembled. For carb heat I have decided to go with a system used by The guys at culver props. I will post images as I go. They have used it for over 16 years on the VW engine. It is automatic and seems like it will work great👍

Engine on assembly stand. Oh BTW sorry if I do not get back to you guys right away! I am busy building, exercising and I still cannot believe it!!!! Flying!!!!! So Sunday's seems like the best day for me to update thread! keep all suggestions and comments coming they are welcome and motivating! I am in the home stretch here.... Who hoooo

Oops almost forgot. Now I have 31 pounds to be at my Vmax flying weight! My initial goal was 100 pound weight loss that would put me at 268. I modified that goal to 118 to get me to 250. I have lost 89 pounds  since starting the Vmax with 29 to go. Leaving me at 279. BTW that puts me at a grand total of 290 pound weight loss from a high of 569 pounds 10 years ago! As a motivator to me and an update for those just getting starting to review this thread (I know it's getting loooong ) here is a before and now photo.

Oh and she would kill me if she knew I posted this.... But I have not had to do this alone. Besides the support I get from this group. My wife of 5 years decided we needed to do this as a team and has been right there by my side and together we lost this weight. She has lost over 80 pounds since I started the Vmax here is a before and now. That's 169 less pounds between us both in just over 2 years.

WOW!

Brian both of you are looking great along with the v-max. BTW how come you didn't go with a electric trim?

Monte

Quoted from texasbuzzard

Brian how come you didn't go with a electric trim?

Monte

I know all along I would only have 4-5 amps of power to play with. Or maybe even a power system that operated at total loss requiring a recharge rafter every flight. so I wanted to keep as many systems as possible manual! As is, the transponder is a HUGE power drain at 1.8 amps. I may need to power down transponder outside the mode c veil to conserve my batteries. And power up upon my return to area. Time will tell...

The pictures of you and your wife are wonderfully inspiring.  This is a really great story to follow.

Tom

Brian the servo motor is powered by a small 9 volt battery which lasts me around 2 yrs since once adjusted you seldom have to activate it.

Monte

Quoted from texasbuzzard

Brian the servo motor is powered by a small 9 volt battery which lasts me around 2 yrs since once adjusted you seldom have to activate it.

Monte

Nice please tell me more about it.t wasn't an option thru team when I asked about trim options

Way to go Brian; build is great and you and the wife are looking very fit. I wish you all the best on the first flight. Gotta see that smile after the first flight.