I decided to install the front cockpit fresh air vent a few days ago, as it is on the list of things to finish before I rivet the last skin in place, and it looked like a quick task. Most builders put that vent in the lower left corner of the instrument panel. I had originally planned to put mine there, but eventually decided to use that space for switches. The main switches are on a switch console on the right side of cockpit, but there wasn't enough room there for all the switches, plus I'll have my right hand on the stick, so it made sense to put switches to be used in flight on the left side. I decided to put the fresh air vent on a bracket attached to the bottom of the instrument panel, way over on the left side.
I fabricated the bracket a few days ago, bolted the vent to it, then clamped the assembly in place to confirm this was a good location. I had made the decision to put the vent there over three years ago. In the meantime I had installed the throttle quadrant, which mounts on the left side of the cockpit, below the instrument panel. After clamping the vent in place, I made the distressing discovery that it was too close to the throttle quadrant - the prop and mixture levers would hit the vent before they reached full travel forward. I tried moving the vent a bit to the right to get it away from the throttle quadrant, but now the stick grip came very close to it if the stick was put in the forward left corner - I could easily hit my hand on the vent. Plus it looked like it might be too close to my left leg. Arrgh!!
I needed to find Plan C. I put the cockpit floors and front seat in, so I could sit in the cockpit and study things from the best perspective. I looked at several other places to mount the vent, but they all had some problem - either my left leg would hit it, or it was too low, or the airflow would be blocked by something, or there would be no good way to route the duct carrying the fresh air. The only good option I could find was to put it on the main instrument panel, below the CDI in the centre of the panel. This would give a good shot to flow fresh air in my face, but it would look very strange, and it would preclude me ever adding anything else to the instrument panel in that spot.
Finally I hit upon the idea of making a bracket to mount it above the inboard side of the throttle quadrant. This makes room for my hand on the throttle quadrant, it is clear of my left leg, and I managed to orient it so it can blow directly at my face. It did partially block the access to the Alternate Air control, which was a problem as this is a control to be used in an emergency, so it needs to be easily seen. I ended up moving the Alternate Air control below the Oil Cooler Door control.
I've just got temporary bolts securing the vent to the bracket now. I've got four round head screws on order, as they'll look better. 