Aspen EFD fail

[Rod Vivian]

On startup today,  as my Aspen EFD was booting up, I started the engine. The Aspen went blank, reset breaker x several, nothing.  I was told by installer that the Aspen could be left on during startup? Never problem before x 6 years. Any ideas?

[LANCECASPER]

What I was told after an Aspen install is to switch on the separate switch for each Aspen after the Avionics Master, and not to switch on the Avionics Master until after startup.

The JPI EDM 930 approved replacement for my engine instruments can be left on during startup.

[carusoam]

Did the starter stay engaged after start?

shared idea,

-a-

[Rod Vivian]

I spoke too soon, 3 hours later, on return flight, Aspen  started fight up. So, is there a self resetting breaker/ fuse internally. Whatever, I'm releaved. Somewhere I read Aspen's flat rate or repair is $2000?

[Marauder]

I spoke too soon, 3 hours later, on return flight, Aspen  started fight up. So, is there a self resetting breaker/ fuse internally. Whatever, I'm releaved. Somewhere I read Aspen's flat rate or repair is $2000?

Flat rate is around $1100 but that was a couple of years ago when I checked to compare to an extended warranty.

As for the power on, I was told like Lance above to turn on the Aspens after the radio master. Like his 930, the only two things avionics wise that are running after master on is my JPI 900 and my EI gauges.

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[carusoam]

FuelP, OilP and FF would be the only electronics that I would want to have on during engine start.

The G1000 has the engine instruments on the display making it hard to avoid not having it on.

engine start has the ability to drain the voltage, and also causes high voltage if the starter stays engaged.

Is there a logical reason to turn the Aspens on prior to engine start?

Typical modern Mooney starting procedure, regarding avionics....

1) Master on.

2) Start.

3) alternator on.

4) Avionics on

Doing it in this order allows for all the usual transient voltage issues to settle out before the 10+AMU boxes are brought into the mix.

Are there any specific protections for the aspens?  Like an iPad, does it shutdown if it overheats?

Not using it for flight in IMC?  Had to ask...

most early M20Cs left the factory without a separate avionics switch.  I would be inclined to add one to delay powering up that buss bar.

Best regards,

-a-

[Rod Vivian]

Thanks for info. I do have a avionics master, but the Aspen has its own switch on bus bar. For now on I'll leave it off till after engine start.

[wpbarnar]

If I don't use the switch to turn off the Aspen during shut down, it thinks there has been a power failure and switches over to the internal battery for power.

[mike_elliott]

13 hours ago, Rod Vivian said:

I spoke too soon, 3 hours later, on return flight, Aspen  started fight up. So, is there a self resetting breaker/ fuse internally. Whatever, I'm releaved. Somewhere I read Aspen's flat rate or repair is $2000?

I am not sure what it is, but it is certainly it is less than a G500 flat rate repair. One thing you might consider, Rod, is that Aspen has put on a bigger cooling fan on units about a year ago. They did this for a reason. You might see what it takes to bring yours up to 2015 specs.

[carusoam]

Running the Aspen on it's own battery certainly isn't the issue.  

Separating it from the power spikes caused by starts and stops of the engine are the more important thing.

I am guessing the OP does not have the IFR version of the Aspen device that would include it's own battery.

the original post is too tame considering the gravity of the situation...

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

Thanks for info. I do have a avionics master, but the Aspen has its own switch on bus bar. For now on I'll leave it off till after engine start.

Rod -- I just thought of another thing to check. When you start with the Aspen on, the low voltage draw while you are cranking could trigger the Aspen to think you are in a low voltage situation. I think it is set in the 11 to 12 V range on the 12V systems.

If this happens and it attempts to go to battery mode and you have a dead backup battery, it might not fire up. You can check the battery health by turning off the Aspen master for it and see if it goes to battery mode okay.

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[LANCECASPER]

25 minutes ago, Marauder said:

Rod -- I just thought of another thing to check. When you start with the Aspen on, the low voltage draw while you are cranking could trigger the Aspen to think you are in a low voltage situation. I think it is set in the 11 to 12 V range on the 12V systems.

If this happens and it attempts to go to battery mode and you have a dead backup battery, it might not fire up. You can check the battery health by turning off the Aspen master for it and see if it goes to battery mode okay.

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Good point - I bet your backup battery needs to be replaced.

[Rod Vivian]

On shut down the Aspen reports 30min left on battery, so I don't think that's the problem. Thanks for ideas. The unit does get pretty hot to touch during normal operation, but it's never shut down before.

[Marauder]

On shut down the Aspen reports 30min left on battery, so I don't think that's the problem. Thanks for ideas. The unit does get pretty hot to touch during normal operation, but it's never shut down before.

The reason the unit gets hot to the touch is that the front bezel is the heat sink for the unit. I called Aspen technical support once to ask about setting V speeds and asked about.

30 minutes seems a little short. You may want to run it on batteries for a bit and see if it is a linear drain. If it dies before 30 minutes, I would suspect it may be failing. Not sure if it is related to the original problem you encountered, but I think you said your unit is 6 years old. Not sure how long the batteries are supposed to last.

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[LANCECASPER]

Sorry this is off topic, My attitude on the Aspen is off just a few degrees, does anyone know the way to adjust that?

[Marauder]

Sorry this is off topic, My attitude on the Aspen is off just a few degrees, does anyone know the way to adjust that?

I'm sure there is a adjustment, just not one that is user settable. I would call Aspen and ask.

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[kevinw]

On 12/21/2015 at 10:13 PM, LANCECASPER said:

Sorry this is off topic, My attitude on the Aspen is off just a few degrees, does anyone know the way to adjust that?

Mine is always showing a 2-2.5 degree climb when in level flight. I've researched it and found this is a common problem that the owner cannot adjust. The installers can go into the back end settings and correct this I'm told.

[mike_elliott]

On ‎12‎/‎22‎/‎2015 at 0:31 PM, kevinw said:

Mine is always showing a 2-2.5 degree climb when in level flight. I've researched it and found this is a common problem that the owner cannot adjust. The installers can go into the back end settings and correct this I'm told.

This bias needs to be set by the installer when it is flight checked. It is not a design/function problem, but an installation error. It should be easy to correct by your installer, whom I am sure wants to get it right for you.

[Oscar Avalle]

On ‎12‎/‎21‎/‎2015 at 11:13 PM, LANCECASPER said:

Sorry this is off topic, My attitude on the Aspen is off just a few degrees, does anyone know the way to adjust that?

You can adjust the attitude through the configuration pages. I don't remember exactly how to get into the configuration mode, but once you are in it is really easy.

 

[kevinw]

29 minutes ago, mike_elliott said:

This bias needs to be set by the installer when it is flight checked. It is not a design/function problem, but an installation error. It should be easy to correct by your installer, whom I am sure wants to get it right for you.

I just got my plane out of the shop and he corrected it. I was told they level the aircraft on the ground and then adjust it. One thing I found interesting is that he told me that the Aspen and also the G500 can be slightly off based on how the aircraft is loaded. For example if there are passengers in the rear seat, the display may show a slight climb because the aircraft is slightly pitched up due to the weight / aft CG. I'm going to watch for at different loading configurations.

[mike_elliott]

2 minutes ago, kevinw said:

I just got my plane out of the shop and he corrected it. I was told they level the aircraft on the ground and then adjust it. One thing I found interesting is that he told me that the Aspen and also the G500 can be slightly off based on how the aircraft is loaded. For example if there are passengers in the rear seat, the display may show a slight climb because the aircraft is slightly pitched up due to the weight / aft CG. I'm going to watch for at different loading configurations.

I have been in a G500 that was off quite a bit once. Same issue I am sure. If I had to guess, it was setup with the plane on its wheels as level, not its' level flight attitude. Your shop guy is right, your plane with a couple of Mauraders' chicks on board in the back will definitely be in a nose up attitude, and should reflect this on the attitude indicator.

[Marauder]

2 minutes ago, kevinw said: I just got my plane out of the shop and he corrected it. I was told they level the aircraft on the ground and then adjust it. One thing I found interesting is that he told me that the Aspen and also the G500 can be slightly off based on how the aircraft is loaded. For example if there are passengers in the rear seat, the display may show a slight climb because the aircraft is slightly pitched up due to the weight / aft CG. I'm going to watch for at different loading configurations.

I have been in a G500 that was off quite a bit once. Same issue I am sure. If I had to guess, it was setup with the plane on its wheels as level, not its' level flight attitude. Your shop guy is right, your plane with a couple of Mauraders' chicks on board in the back will definitely be in a nose up attitude, and should reflect this on the attitude indicator.

Depending if the girls in the back are reaching back for another cookie or leaning forward to give me a kiss, I get these indications on my Aspen:

Is this a problem?

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[kevinw]

2 minutes ago, kevinw said: I just got my plane out of the shop and he corrected it. I was told they level the aircraft on the ground and then adjust it. One thing I found interesting is that he told me that the Aspen and also the G500 can be slightly off based on how the aircraft is loaded. For example if there are passengers in the rear seat, the display may show a slight climb because the aircraft is slightly pitched up due to the weight / aft CG. I'm going to watch for at different loading configurations.

I have been in a G500 that was off quite a bit once. Same issue I am sure. If I had to guess, it was setup with the plane on its wheels as level, not its' level flight attitude. Your shop guy is right, your plane with a couple of Mauraders' chicks on board in the back will definitely be in a nose up attitude, and should reflect this on the attitude indicator.

Depending if the girls in the back are reaching back for another cookie or leaning forward to give me a kiss, I get these indications on my Aspen:

Is this a problem?

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Now that's some funny sh*t! Lmao!!!

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