Scott R.

 

>>>3.5" works fine on my 320 panel.

 

>>>We also
made the bottom of the panel higher to give more shin room.

 

>>>We mounted our panel 13 inches from the aft
face of the header tank…

 

These great ideas, and they are all good, pertain to the 320/360 panel.  The 235 panel is somewhat narrower in width and shorter in height.  So, it is a squeeze to get all you want on there, especially on the left side.  If you raise the panel up, then the canopy will not close.  My flight instruments are spaced 3.375 and are at the very bottom of the panel and crowd the left edge of the radio stack.  Even then, I had to mount my turn cord. to the left of the traditional location and put the VOR head in that location so as to have room to close the canopy.

 

As you can see by Pete's panel picture, and my panel pictures (you looked at them in October 2001) it's all a tight fit on a 235 panel.  An 0.125 inch may make a difference.   

 

Also, the original header tank is L-shaped, not flat like the 320's, so there may be limited room behind the panel with 13 inch spacing.  Or you will lose space in the cockpit area.  It is hard enough now to get in and out under the low 235 panel, especially the passenger side.

 

One ought to have all the instruments, radios, switches, etc., or know all their measurements before cutting holes, so as to not have to do it twice.  Especially an aluminum panel.  At least, on a glass panel, changes can be overcome.

 

Gary Edwards

235/320

N21SN

Medford, Oregon