This page has pictures and comments regarding the replacement of a 121.5 ELT and the installation of an ARTEX ME406 ELT.
As far as installations go, an ELT is one of the simplest.   However, due to the nature and intended function of the equipment, it's installation should be considered probably the most important maintenance on the entire aircraft.
One of the first steps in the installation is to obtain access to the equipment and the wiring that joins the components together. 



Removal of almost the entire aircraft interior was required to facilitate sufficent access to perform the installation.



No installation ever goes smoothly, especially on older aircraft.  
Many years of operation and many different people performing maintenance on the aircraft can provide for surprises at any turn.   Fortunatly for us, this aircraft has generally been well looked after during her life.


However, there are always surprises.

In the picture above you will note 3 wires, 2 in the foreground and 1 in the background, that unlike the loom of wire with the protection, are happily grinding away on a radio tray.   You will note the red wire that carries battery voltage to
its component and how easily a fire could develop behind the dashboard of the aircraft.  
Simple care in the routing of the wires would prevent this from occuring.



The picture above shows the coax cable for a disused system just carelessly shoved into a hole that is covered by a plastic panel.



Again our access picture shows the forward most access hole and some coax cable hastilly stuffed under the floor.  
On this occasion, the coax was connected at one end to an antenna that was no longer used.  
Upon initial inspection, it was found that the coax had been rubbing against the aileron control cable.  
There was so much coax that when removed, the length of the cable was almost as long as the aircraft.   

The standard practices reference AC43-13 states that the maximum bend radius for coax cable is to be no less than 6 times it's diameter.   Sharp bends like the one shown above can damage the cable and allow it to fail during operation.  
Not the most desirable when you want the ELT to save your life. 



The new coax installation provides much less stress on the cable.



New ARTEX ME406 ELT Installed.

All defects discovered during the install were rectified and repaired to the required standard.