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This is a feature on newer PA28/PA32. It feeds the overhead vents, may have a fan, and cooling coils as well.
It is guarded by a wire mesh to keep FOD and insects out. The wire degenerates and falls apart eventually.
The other issue, is that in most aircraft, the valve that closes this overhead vent, allows a bit of leak. Not a factor during most of the year, but if you are in -20C temps at cruise, it is a factor, especially for the rear seat occupants.
I created a slide in barrier out of Kydex that I put in during the winter, blocks the vent tightly. It is a parallelogram, with beveled edges to allow for an easier slide in fit. I can post the dimensions for anyone interested, but you will likely need to play a bit with it in your own plane for a best fit.
For the summer, I used exactly the same type of piece, but drilled some 4000, 1/8" holes, with 3/16" C-C spacing, in the Kydex, using a little jig and a big sticker with a spreadsheet drawn template. Yes, it took a while. That allows it to vent, but prevents a bee getting in there, and precipitating into the classic Cessna vent nightmare.
The kydex pieces can be easily removed with a sharp tool, that ziptie at the edge makes it even easier to grab it.
Below is a shot of my "summer" kydex piece installed.
Just an idea others may find useful.
* Orest
It is guarded by a wire mesh to keep FOD and insects out. The wire degenerates and falls apart eventually.
The other issue, is that in most aircraft, the valve that closes this overhead vent, allows a bit of leak. Not a factor during most of the year, but if you are in -20C temps at cruise, it is a factor, especially for the rear seat occupants.
I created a slide in barrier out of Kydex that I put in during the winter, blocks the vent tightly. It is a parallelogram, with beveled edges to allow for an easier slide in fit. I can post the dimensions for anyone interested, but you will likely need to play a bit with it in your own plane for a best fit.
For the summer, I used exactly the same type of piece, but drilled some 4000, 1/8" holes, with 3/16" C-C spacing, in the Kydex, using a little jig and a big sticker with a spreadsheet drawn template. Yes, it took a while. That allows it to vent, but prevents a bee getting in there, and precipitating into the classic Cessna vent nightmare.
The kydex pieces can be easily removed with a sharp tool, that ziptie at the edge makes it even easier to grab it.
Below is a shot of my "summer" kydex piece installed.
Just an idea others may find useful.
* Orest
