Ideas for Encoder Mounting

[nippaero]

I'm looking for some ideas on where to best mount an Ameri-King 350 encoder under the panel. Where/how is yours mounted? The previous owner had it mounted on the side of the panel near the pilots leg. I am replacing the side panels and don't want it there.

[DaveF]

Mine (different type, but similar size) is attached to the firewall immediately forward of the transponder.

[cessna170bdriver]

I mounted my Narco encoder on top of the glove box.

[lowNslow]

I mounted my Narco encoder on top of the glove box.

Same here.

[170C]

Mine in on the left side of my glove box.

[nippaero]

I just got through putting a glove box door back on my panel. Someone had removed it a long time ago and installed a radio/ADF in there. I need to build a new glovebox.

Not sure I want to poke any more holes in the firewall.

[nippaero]

Mine is on the firewall

Is it just using a couple screws and some tinnermans?

[48RagwingPilot]

Left side of glovebox. Solid mount, easy access.

[jlwild]

Radio shop, many years ago, installed mine on the back of glove box. When I asked why, they said easy access.

[DaveF]

The problem with mounting the encoder to the glovebox is that you have to move it whenever you pull the glovebox. Seems I have to do that about once a year to install or inspect something up under the instrument panel. Not a huge deal, but I like to keep disassembly and reassembly as simple as possible.

[cessna170bdriver]

The problem with mounting the encoder to the glovebox is that you have to move it whenever you pull the glovebox. Seems I have to do that about once a year to install or inspect something up under the instrument panel. Not a huge deal, but I like to keep disassembly and reassembly as simple as possible.

I must be missing something on annual inspections. I don't think I've had my glovebox out more than twice in 34 years.

[edbooth]

The problem with mounting the encoder to the glovebox is that you have to move it whenever you pull the glovebox. Seems I have to do that about once a year to install or inspect something up under the instrument panel. Not a huge deal, but I like to keep disassembly and reassembly as simple as possible.

I must be missing something on annual inspections. I don't think I've had my glovebox out more than twice in 34 years.

Me too Miles. Only had mine out once in 46 years and that was to use it as a pattern to build another one.

[DaveF]

Not annual, but I installed new radios, new RH side instruments, replaced the instrument suction hoses and vacuum regulator, and replaced the battery-to-ammeter wire. All of that is on the RH side, and on my '54, none of it is possible without removing the glovebox. And I did it in several sessions over several years, so each time I had to pull the glovebox.

My point is that the more you tie stuff together the more difficult you make maintenance and the less likely you are to do it. Or the more expensive it becomes.

[cessna170bdriver]

I just make it a point to minimize firewall penetrations. I almost came to blows with an AI years ago when he drilled a hole in my original condition firewall to relocate an instrument air filter that I had mounted on the back side of a radio stack support angle, a perfectly serviceable location. I might be talked into double-sided tape to mount an encoder to the firewall but I'd never drill holes in it for screws.

[nippaero]

I might be talked into double-sided tape to mount an encoder to the firewall but I'd never drill holes in it for screws.

That's almost what I was thinking. The thing only weighs a few ounces and could be secured with some industrial strength Velcro to the side of the fuselage or firewall. The kind with the little plastic fingers. It is almost impossible to pull apart once you stick it together.