Strikhedonia

June 3, 2025

Version 3.0 – RV-10 Lycoming Engine Dehumidifier and Remote Engine Heat

The system was working well but, as I’m ever the tinkerer, I couldn’t leave well enough alone. The off-the-shelf Inkbird Humidity Controller IHC200 just didn’t have the functionality that I really wanted so instead I decided to design and build my own humidity controller. My controller is based around a PIC18F microcontroller and a SHT-30 Mesh-protected Weather-proof Temperature/Humidity Sensor that…

June 3, 2025

2025 Condition Inspection – N241VP Van’s RV-10

All in all it was a pretty uneventful Condition Inspection. It helps immensely to have a large hanger, that is well lit, and all the tools. Plus this year I became a bit more organized, I put together Flambeau Outdoors 5003 Fishing Tackle Boxes to keep all of the various supplies in one spot. Typically I perform my Condition Inspection…

April 17, 2025

Version 2.0 – RV-10 Lycoming Engine Dehumidifier and Remote Engine Heat Assembly Tutorial

Note: Please see my Version 3.0 post for the current design: Link Whew, what a journey and learning process in figuring out the recharging system for the silica beads. So much trial and error of drying mechanisms – note to self, do NOT install a thermal switch when testing resistor combinations – it seems the time consuming process of swapping…

March 6, 2025

Static Pressure Calibration Procedure for Garmin G3X and G5 ADAHRS to Correct Altitude Errors

The process of calibrating the G3X and G5 systems for accurate altitude reporting is provided in the G3X™/G3X Touch™ Installation Manual and the Garmin G5 Installation Manual. It is important to not ignore the AOA port, if not connected damage to the ADAHRS sensors may occur. G3X ADAHRS Static Pressure Calibration Procedure – Link G5 Air Data Static Pressure Calibration…

February 13, 2025

Improvements to the RV-10 top cowl baffles and fiberglass ramps to reduce CHT temperatures

I fly mostly in the morning and due to living in the mountains it is always cool. However, this summer and fall, I had a number of flights to Las Vegas and on departure it was a lot of work to keep my CHTs below 400 which required a slower climb and reduced power. Not great. I knew there was…

January 30, 2025

Abnormal Engine Analysis

I’ve been a subscriber of Savvy Avaiation’s SavvyAnalysis since I completed my build in 2021 and from day one it was such a value to have an expert available to ask questions. This is an amazing resource at an inexpensive price! A question came up after a flight a few days ago, first a bit of a back story, I…

January 20, 2025

Version 1.0 – RV-10 Lycoming Engine Dehumidifier and Remote Engine Heat Assembly Tutorial

Note: Please see my Version 3.0 post for the current design: Link System Description: I decided to build a system that could be remotely controlled via cellular connected monitoring system that would allow me to pre-heat my engine from home and for a self contained engine dehydration system that can also be monitored from my phone. Basically there are three…

January 20, 2025

Guides and Documentation

Various heating methods attempted to recharge Silica beads

I went through six different methods to heat the silica beads when they needed to be recharged. They all failed to reach to 60°C (140°F) temperature needed to recharge the beads, even though each method on paper looked promising – well the fish tank heater was too hot and would shutdown due to overheating so technically it was hot enough.…

January 19, 2025

Installing the AntiSplatAero Crankcase Vacuum kit on an RV-10

Reviewing the parts included in the AntiSplatAero kit I realized that the kit was not developed for the RV-10 and that for all installations, a few extra parts would be necessary. I’m all for a challenge and took this head on. The biggest issue to resolve was the placement of the one-way valve bracket with the Vetterman exhaust system –…

November 19, 2024

Converting the UBCP back country airstrip data into the Garmin G3X format

The Utah Back Country Pilots Association (UBCP) maintains a list of back country airstrips. Since I frequently fly over a lot of rugged terrain in Utah, I really wanted to have these airstrips shown on my display in case of engine failure. For members they offer a great set of ForeFlight Waypoints for these airstrips, unfortunately this did not help…

November 18, 2024

Figuring out the Garmin G3X User Waypoints Tutorial – Exporting, Creating, Editing, Modifying, and Importing

The Utah Back Country Pilots Association (UBCP) maintain a list of back country airstrips. Since I frequently fly over a lot of rugged terrain in Utah, I really wanted to have these airstrips shown on my display in case of engine failure. For members they offer a great set of ForeFlight Waypoints for these airstrips, unfortunately this did not help…

October 20, 2024

McMurdo Smartfind S20 Battery Replacement Instructions

I picked up McMurdo Smartfind S20 units before leaving for Mexico in 2016. The batteries in these units have a seven year life span which meant they expired in 2023, but I decided to disassembled one and checked the voltage. The battery pack had s lithium manganese dioxide (li-mno2) battery which is good for applications with long-life requirements. Reviewing datasheets…