M20J pane I did myself.

[mitch0537]

I just got done with the pilots panel and the avionics in my '84 M20J, I did it myself with no other help. Put in a G500, Mid-continent SAM, removed the vacuum system. JPI 900 primary. GTN-750 with remote audio panel, remote transponder, GDL-88 ADS-B in and out. Garmin GNC-255 Nav-Com and GPS 796 portable mounted in the secondary stack. I kept the original KFC-150 autopilot. I have a Garmin AOA that I'll install too but I just wanted it back up in the air and will do that as well as SVT at a later date. I've had this plane for a little over a year and love it. 

But, I kept in the original tach and MP and OAT, EGT. Not because I need them with the JPI but because if I removed them, I would have had to put a blank in there anyways. 

[ryoder]

Holy crap.  That's awesome.  Did it yourself huh?  Incredible.  Are you an A&P?

[mitch0537]

No I'm not an A&P. In fact extremely few A&P's could install this and make it work.

[carusoam]

What's in next year's plan?

Nice leather yokes to add the finishing touch would be nice...

What made you decide to take on such a large comprehensive project all at once in your first year?

it doesn't appear to be your first rodeo...

best regards,

-a-

Edited September 20, 2015 by carusoam

[donkaye]

Excellent panel and workmanship!  How long did it take you, any problems on turn on, and did you have any issues with the sign off?  My logbook entries at the conclusion of the job were pages and pages long.  Did you find difficulty with that part of the process?  You must be an electrical engineer.  I read every install manual on my upgrade and wouldn't have considered taking on a job of that magnitude even though I am electrical engineer by education.

Edited September 20, 2015 by donkaye

[PTK]

That is one nice panel! Great job on the completion of a formidable undertaking!

I'm curious on how you managed to buy the Garmin boxes on your own.

[mike_elliott]

That is one nice panel! Great job on the completion of a formidable undertaking!

I'm curious on how you managed to buy the Garmin boxes on your own.

Its easy, Pete, just call an authorized Garmin Reseller and pull out that credit card! I bought a GNS430w way back when that way from a distressed reseller, and had another Authorized shop put it in.

Mitch obviously has the skillset to do what a lot of shops cannot, and the ones that can, cannot do in a timely fashion or get right the first time or without a conflict of interest of owners best interest and profit. I would be more curious how Garmin will view his warranty if in fact (assumption here) he is not an authorized installer.

[ArtVandelay]

Nice, but I think the 796 install was gilding the lily

I assume by sticking with all Garmin products where possible, it made the install easier, doesn't all Garmin products connect via a Ethernet bus?

[N2124V]

Did you have an A&P sign off on the install?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[carusoam]

The OP mentioned his background and shop relationship in another thread...

It would be great to have more of his details here.

 

best regards,

-a-

[N2124V]

Ok, I'd love to redo my panel myself, but those nasty regs keep getting in the way.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[jetdriven]

I would also love to do this myself, but Garmin STC's IIRC require a garmin dealer to do the install. Im interested, how did you do it? And what did all those boxes cost?

[IndyTim]

I would also love to do this myself, but Garmin STC's IIRC require a garmin dealer to do the install. Im interested, how did you do it? And what did all those boxes cost?

By my estimates, $60-65k assuming new equipment.  Not counting the antennas, and any necessary connectors, cables, etc etc etc.  

[mitch0537]

OK now that all of you asked, here's the rest of the story. It's been my dream to own a 201. It's the perfect balance of speed and fuel economy since I commute to work in it. I waited a long time to find the right one and almost bought a modified "E" but found corrosion on the wing spar during pre-buy. This plane found me, as a friend told me about it. It's a 1984 which is the first year of the removable rear seats. When I bought it, it had 1973 TTAF, 570 SFOH, 108 SPOH, NDH and all logs. paid $50K for it. The reason it was so low is that they had a "Gypsy mechanic" do the annuals for years and there was a lot of Defered maintenance on it that I won't get into. I went through the airplane from spinner to stinger and repaired some of the most ridiculous items that nobody in their right mind would let go. Then an extensive owner assisted annual at a reputable shop. Had $56K into it at this point. But it's a sound airplane with no corrosion and a good engine. Some of the original avionics even worked. (imagine that)

I owned most of the avionics before I owned the plane as I own an avionics shop in San Jose KRHV with a Garmin dealership. So, I got most of this equipment at half of dealers cost for Demo's since we are a higher volume shop, except the JPI-900 which was full dealers cost. The Mid-continent SAM was half as well for Demo. Now it's Demo in a 201. did it all myself in my T Hangar after work and on weekends since I didn't want to delay any customers plane. Signed it off under the repair station with my signature. Next phase is the Garmin AOA and flightstream which I have already. But the interior is getting to be a priority as it's about a "3 or 4". 

[mitch0537]

One other thing. I would not try this on your own plane. I have a degree in avionics, 27 years experience and have refurbished many panels. Accredited by the FAA, FCC, AEA and NCATT.

Also yes the yokes will be leather wrapped when I do the interior.

[carusoam]

I hear a thousand sighs, Mitch...

999 of them from guys that followed the thread title, thinking they could do it too.

can you sell any other similar avionics like you installed?

we have a member that handles various JPI products.  Some new some used, all at great prices...

best regards,

-a-

[Brandontwalker]

I hear a thousand sighs, Mitch...

999 of them from guys that followed the thread title, thinking they could do it too.

can you sell any other similar avionics like you installed?

we have a member that handles various JPI products.  Some new some used, all at great prices...

best regards,

-a-

Who handles JPI?  I am considering a 730 install when I redo my panel. 

(I am also in the market for a WAAS GPS.  Looking at new GNS 650's but am leaning toward a 430 or 530)

[carusoam]

Check with aerodon....

[ryoder]

This has gone from an inspirational DIY miracle to a plug for an avionics shop.

[OR75]

Taking the risk to add fuel to the fire here ....

i believe avionics install have become a lot easier than they used to be. 

When 10 wires used to be needed to connect two instruments, now you generally only need 2 ( via RS-232 or ARINC ports) .

A good illustration of that is the board that "Approach Fast Stack" sell.

I wonder if anyone installed one on a Mooney. I considered it at some point to clean up the wire mess of the 80s and 90s. 

However, you do need the right crimping tools, you need to know how to read a wiring diagram and understand how to configure things in a setup menu. 

 

 

[mitch0537]

@  OR75. You believe??? Yeah you did add fuel to the fire. Just hook up two wires and you're set to go. Just walk a week in my shoes and you'll see why there is an extreme shortage of avionics technicians. There is a mechanic on our field who used a fast stack. He's been trying to get everything to work for the last three months. I refuse to help him. I've never seen a fast stack in a Mooney. Where would you put the hub? There's not much real estate behind the panel of a Mooney. I make my own wiring harnesses because mine are cleaner, point to point with no hub. Besides, all you need are two wires right?.  The biggest nightmare is to interface old equipment to new and different manufacturers. My 201 flew the first time from this install without a glitch. OR75 I challenge you to do an install of this magnitude since after all you've reduced my profession and career and specialized training into "Anybody can do it." Then do it. Go down to Home Depot aviation electrical department to get your install supplies and get started. You don't know how much I've seen of this when someone who isn't qualified does their own install.

 

Actually, whatever you want to believe, just go ahead and believe. But I have been doing this for 27 years and it has become much more sophisticated and complex for the technician as they have been more user friendly and easier for the pilot. Remember, I'm on both sides of the panel. So next time you rattle off your beliefs and show so little recognition for avionics technicians I leave you with the top reasons why there is a shortage of avionics technicians and getting worse. 

1) Low pay. Nobody wants to do a job with the same technology as IT with 5 times the responsibility for half the pay. IT is much easier.

2) Low job satisfaction due to lack of appreciation.

3) High stress.

[Marauder]

I just got done with the pilots panel and the avionics in my '84 M20J, I did it myself with no other help. Put in a G500, Mid-continent SAM, removed the vacuum system. JPI 900 primary. GTN-750 with remote audio panel, remote transponder, GDL-88 ADS-B in and out. Garmin GNC-255 Nav-Com and GPS 796 portable mounted in the secondary stack. I kept the original KFC-150 autopilot. I have a Garmin AOA that I'll install too but I just wanted it back up in the air and will do that as well as SVT at a later date. I've had this plane for a little over a year and love it. 

But, I kept in the original tach and MP and OAT, EGT. Not because I need them with the JPI but because if I removed them, I would have had to put a blank in there anyways. 

/uploads/monthly_2015_09/IMG_20150918_063214_478_(1).jpg.4087e6774e38ee203a1887785ba712a7.jpg">

@  OR75. You believe??? Yeah you did add fuel to the fire. Just hook up two wires and you're set to go. Just walk a week in my shoes and you'll see why there is an extreme shortage of avionics technicians. There is a mechanic on our field who used a fast stack. He's been trying to get everything to work for the last three months. I refuse to help him. I've never seen a fast stack in a Mooney. Where would you put the hub? There's not much real estate behind the panel of a Mooney. I make my own wiring harnesses because mine are cleaner, point to point with no hub. Besides, all you need are two wires right?.  The biggest nightmare is to interface old equipment to new and different manufacturers. My 201 flew the first time from this install without a glitch. OR75 I challenge you to do an install of this magnitude since after all you've reduced my profession and career and specialized training into "Anybody can do it." Then do it. Go down to Home Depot aviation electrical department to get your install supplies and get started. You don't know how much I've seen of this when someone who isn't qualified does their own install.

 

Actually, whatever you want to believe, just go ahead and believe. But I have been doing this for 27 years and it has become much more sophisticated and complex for the technician as they have been more user friendly and easier for the pilot. Remember, I'm on both sides of the panel. So next time you rattle off your beliefs and show so little recognition for avionics technicians I leave you with the top reasons why there is a shortage of avionics technicians and getting worse. 

1) Low pay. Nobody wants to do a job with the same technology as IT with 5 times the responsibility for half the pay. IT is much easier.

2) Low job satisfaction due to lack of appreciation.

3) High stress.

Great, you start the thread with "I did it myself with no other help" and then disclose later you own a shop and are an avionics tech.

Congratulations on doing your job!

BTW -- re-read OR75's last paragraph. He recognized you need to understand how to pull an installation all together and isn't that the real value an experience avionics tech offers?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ryoder]

No point in commenting.  Looks awesome like a pro did it.  Oh wait.  A pro did do it.

[JCD]

Looking for where to get a new Fuel Pump Rocker switch for a '78 M20J. I am new Mooney owner and trying to learn the ropes.  Not sure if this is the right area to post as I am new to this.  Any guidance is greatly appreciated. My switches are black in color.

[carusoam]

Hey that looks familiar!

There is a discussion regarding switches and switch covers and possibly making your own.

Use the search box at the top right of the page. I believe there are two manufacturers.  It helps to know which one you have and the rating as well.

key word Klixon or Sensata may be helpful.

if that is too lengthy a process.  Contact your local MSC. They have these things in stock at elevated prices for your convenience....  Lasar.com is often a helpful MSC.

welcome aboard,

-a-

Edited October 5, 2015 by carusoam