JPI Upgrade

[TWinter]

I know we had a thread mentioning this a short while ago, but can't seem to find it. So I'll post a quick update here. Some of us have the JPI 830s and wanted to upgrade to the JPI 900 or higher unit. Previously at Osh JPI said that ALL the current probes needed to be replaced with the new ones supplied in the new 900 kit to be FAA legal (even though they were essentially the same).

 

I called JPI the other day and they told me the existing probes could now be used from the 830 and all I needed to do was buy the new 900 kit and install the extra probes for fuel level and whatever other options I needed to be FAA compliant as shown in the 900 kit. They figure about and hour labor per additional probe. My 830 has pretty much all options hooked up now so really I think I'm needing just fuel level and fuel pressure.

 

I know buying a whole new 900 kit is not the most reasonable way of doing it from a money standpoint, but they did say that a full 830 kit could pretty well be assembled with everything leftover from the new 900 install so you would a full 830 kit available to sell. The 830 kits in this form were bringing 2K plus on EBay. So really for a few thousand a guy could upgrade to a full primary JPI 900. 

 

JPI is offering rebates on the 900s for about another week. There is a three week order wait, but still taking rebated orders. Just wanted to pass on what they told me. I know a few of us were looking at the 900s as a primary.  

[N601RX]

I took advantage of this a few weeks ago. I plan to sell the 830 with mostly new probes once the 900 arrives. A few of the sensors are different and will have to be changed out.

[JohnB]

I have a JPI 800 unit, which I just got upgraded, great value. Got HP%, USB port, and more precise oil temp, and I think engine temp monitoring with the same probes for less than $300.

[TWinter]

The 900 is the cheapest certified unit. They also have a next step up for a single, but I think the screen size difference is the main difference. If I can get all the necessary info on a smaller box I think the 900 is a great deal, especially if I can recoup some of the money by reselling the 830.

[jrp]

How do the screen sizes of the 830 and 900 compare?   

[jrp]

Or to ask the more important question ... Will a 900 fit in an 830 slot?   Oddly, the JPI website doesn't show dimensions.

 

Thanks.

[N601RX]

Yes, they both mount in a standard 3-1/8 round instrument hole.  All dimensions are in the install manual on their website.

[TWinter]

So I approached my shop about this swap from the 830 to the 900. They did mention something to consider (and I agree to a point). Something to remember is the fact the 830 screen is small enough as it is. If you swap from 830 to 900 you are putting even more info on a already pretty cluttered 830 screen, so is it really worth the swap? I guess it depends on your vision comfort level. I almost pulled the trigger for the 900...still might, but the larger 900 series would be a nice upgrade with more screen to decipher information. The rebate is over after the 5th of this month. I'm sure they will have more rebates near Osh time. Just something to think about and yes the same size hole for the 830 and 900.

[KSMooniac]

They are the same size hole (3 1/8") but the screen is slightly larger on the 900, so if you have a tight fit with a 730/830, you need to measure carefully before committing to the 900.  4.52 x 3.31   vs. 4.234 x 3.18

[aaronk25]

So I approached my shop about this swap from the 830 to the 900. They did mention something to consider (and I agree to a point). Something to remember is the fact the 830 screen is small enough as it is. If you swap from 830 to 900 you are putting even more info on a already pretty cluttered 830 screen, so is it really worth the swap? I guess it depends on your vision comfort level. I almost pulled the trigger for the 900...still might, but the larger 900 series would be a nice upgrade with more screen to decipher information. The rebate is over after the 5th of this month. I'm sure they will have more rebates near Osh time. Just something to think about and yes the same size hole for the 830 and 900.

Remember you can set alarms so if at of the parameters exceed under over your settings the screen flashes red....not sure it's necessary to be glued to it all the time.

[N601RX]

I put a remote red/yellow light directly in front of me.  On the 900 the primary limits are preset to match your POH and a not changeable by the owner.  On the 830 you can set them to any value you wish.

[Aerodon]

Or to ask the more important question ... Will a 900 fit in an 830 slot?   Oddly, the JPI website doesn't show dimensions.

 

Thanks.

Yes they are both similar size and will fit in a standard 3 1/8" hole.  But they are slightly different dimensions, so you need a different flush mount kit and rectangular hole if you are going that route.

 

Don