Harry Roussard:
Jeff, are you talking about the fuel gauge cluster, regarding replacement of your instrument cluster? I have a Sierra, which has on the left lower dash a set of gauges that are rather inaccurate, except the oil pressure and maybe the Voltage gauge.
I have been wondering if it would make sense to create ( at the BAC level) a “standard” or replacement cluster, with an alternative set of digital gauges and get a 337 done for all the Mice types as primary replacement. In the future, people could refer to this “approved” cluster, and reduce or eliminate the FAA work associated with replacement of the original gauges; and frankly stick a finger up to the nice folks at Beech. There are some nice accurate digital gauges on the market nowadays (like the Mitchell units).
Bob Steward, A&P-IA:
I’ve installed the Mitchell electronic gauges under both STC and field approval. They are not a LOT cheaper than the factory setup.
About $125-$150/gauge in a group with Ammeter, OP, OT, FP. They use electric senders for the oil and fuel pressure, so the in cabin fluid lines can be removed. They are NOT the same size of shape as the center-panel mounted, vertical-style indicator gauges; but they COULD be a suitable replacement for the S-W (Ed: and Rochester) gauges mounted on the lower left instrument panel.
Here is a example of them used as replacements for the S-W gauges:
http://www.gatm.com/flying/faq.html#gauges
Here is their home page with lots of details. They won’t sell direct, but they will help you pick out the right stuff, and then you buy through Spruce or Varga, etc.
http://www.mitchellproducts.com/