So I was taking a look at the ELT mounting bracket that I installed last month, and I realized that if the bracket is installed as designed, the rudder cable will rub on it. Argh! That was the last straw for me and the Van's ELT bracket, so I drilled out the rivets and ripped that thing out of there.
It was a pain to install, it was too flimsy to actually hold the ELT, and it interfered with a critical component of the flight control system. So long, you piece of junk!
Okay, I didn't actually throw it in the trash – those nutplates can surely be used for something.
I stole Scott 's idea for how to mount the ELT under the baggage floor. The tray is riveted to pieces of angle stock, and a set of brackets ties the tray to the floor ribs. This is actually a better location overall – it's stronger, it helps move the CG forward, and once I create a trap door in the baggage floor it'll be easier to access too.
To keep the retaining strap from wandering around, I riveted it to the tray. The rivets are double flush because the bottom of the tray has to be pretty close to the bottom skin to let the ELT fit under the baggage floor.
Here's the ELT installed in its new home. The supporting angles are attached to the four little brackets with structural screws and nutplates, in case I ever want to upgrade to a different kind of ELT someday. Note that the tray is offset to the left side of the airplane, to make room for the latch mechanism that lets you remove the ELT for maintenance.
While I was waiting for primer to dry I vacuumed out the inside of the bandsaw. Here's what a year's worth of RV-related aluminum dust looks like:
