Install KMA30

[Kefferch]

Was wondering if anyone has put in this audio panel and curious to see how plug and play it actually is. It'd be replacing my panel that's original to my 77 M20J.

 

 

[Marauder]

Was wondering if anyone has put in this audio panel and curious to see how plug and play it actually is. It'd be replacing my panel that's original to my 77 M20J.

 

 

The KMA 30 is an OEM version of the PS Engineering 8000 series. Your plane either has a KMA 20 or KMA 24. Definitely not plug and play. For one thing I know the KMA 20 doesn't have an intercom built in and I suspect the 24 doesn't either.

There is a lot of wiring that will need to be done, especially if you don't have headset jacks in the back.

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[Kefferch]

I'm new to this plane and aviation in general so forgive me if I'm not following you completely.  I purchased the plane in September and it does have a 4-place intercom system.  The functionality that I'm looking for is pilot/crew isolate and a way to input audio/music for all/crew/passengers. I'd like to get something that is reasonable and won't be too difficult to swap out with the existing.

 

[Marauder]

I'm new to this plane and aviation in general so forgive me if I'm not following you completely.  I purchased the plane in September and it does have a 4-place intercom system.  The functionality that I'm looking for is pilot/crew isolate and a way to input audio/music for all/crew/passengers. I'd like to get something that is reasonable and won't be too difficult to swap out with the existing.
 

Which audio panel do you have? You will find Bendix King KMAs in earlier Mooneys. The intercom you have is probably a separate box, like a Sigtronics or David Clark.

The KMA 30 or any of the Garmin/PS Engineering boxes will give you an integrated intercom. Tell us what boxes are in your plane.


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[M016576]

 The PS engineering PMA7000 series is a plug and play replacement for the KMA24 I think.  There's one on eBay right now for about 1000 bucks.  Those things are no longer being made- all the new audio panels are now about 2000, and incorporate some over the top features, like positional audio.  Hard to go wrong with a GMA340 or PMA7/8000 series audio panel, but if you don't get the plug and play model, expect about $1000 install cost on top of the unit cost.

there is a kma24H that includes an intercom.  Haven't seen many of them out there, though.

Edited November 13, 2016 by M016576

[Kefferch]

I've attached a picture...I believe its a KMA-20TSO and I have a Sigtronics SPA-400 TSO Intercom.

I'd really like to have isolation from passengers if I want and I'd like music input for myself/crew and passengers and be able to isolate.  Bluetooth would be a plus!  long term I'd like to add a Garmin 650 or 750 Nav if that matters.  

FYI...this image is a bit older the ADF, Loran and Transponder are all gone and was replaced with the Stratus ESG ADS-B just recently...the right stack only has the Stratus ESG at the very top and a blank plate below.

Edited November 13, 2016 by Kefferch

[M016576]

13 minutes ago, Hyett6420 said:

Hi

the KMa24 does not have an intercom (ive got a 24) and you will have a sigtronics somewhere probably.   The KMA is NOT a plug and play for a 24 but it is for a Garmin intercom.  

In order to get co and pilot seperation from the passengers you will have to do a lot of rewiring and removal of the sigtronics.  Having said that i find my sigtronics for the rear seats is not that great in terms of audio quality, but i dont often fill those seats.  

If you are upgrading to a gtn750, you might find it easier to have a back box that connects to the 750 for everything rather than upgrading the 24/20.   Ie remove your existing units from the panel completly and have garmin back boxes handling your intercom and music etc demands driven by the 750.   It would save panel space, be tidier, but you would still need to wire lots!

Andrew

I guess it all depends on how "long term" we're talking.  

If the op is thinking 5 years to never on the GPS, then I he should upgrade the audio panel.  If he's thinking next year, probably wise to roll it all into one install, so the wire harness only needs to be built once.

 

edit: with that KMA-20 and sigtronics intercom, you're looking at about $2000.00 to purchase and install a used GMA-340 or PMA-8000BT.  I'd try to find the panel on your own (eBay, Barnstormers, etc) then find a shop for the install.

chief aircraft has a flat rate install in audio panels- only 950 bucks install cost.... they do nice work- prices aren't too crazy either (they are in southern Oregon)

Edited November 13, 2016 by M016576

[M016576]

1 hour ago, Hyett6420 said:

Thats long haul, im in London UK. . 

Hah!  It might be more cost effective to find a closer shop- or at least one that takes GB sterling!

[Marauder]

I've attached a picture...I believe its a KMA-20TSO and I have a Sigtronics SPA-400 TSO Intercom.
I'd really like to have isolation from passengers if I want and I'd like music input for myself/crew and passengers and be able to isolate.  Bluetooth would be a plus!  long term I'd like to add a Garmin 650 or 750 Nav if that matters.  
FYI...this image is a bit older the ADF, Loran and Transponder are all gone and was replaced with the Stratus ESG ADS-B just recently...the right stack only has the Stratus ESG at the very top and a blank plate below.

The configuration you have is exactly what I had in my 75F. As was mentioned below, I would install one at the same time you did the GPS. You will be paying twice for the installation.

I did a video on the PS Engineering 450A:

Great unit.


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[Kefferch]

6 minutes ago, Marauder said:

 

The configuration you have is exactly what I had in my 75F. As was mentioned below, I would install one at the same time you did the GPS. You will be paying twice for the installation.

I did a video on the PS Engineering 450A:

 

 

Great unit.


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Looks like you have a garmin 650 gps?  Is that correct.  I'm prolly a couple years away from getting a GPS added into my Mooney.  Should I opt to just get a 650 and go with this audio panel?

[Marauder]

Looks like you have a garmin 650 gps?  Is that correct.  I'm prolly a couple years away from getting a GPS added into my Mooney.  Should I opt to just get a 650 and go with this audio panel?

The reason I have a 650 (other than being a cheap bast$&d) is that I have all my nav stuff displaying on a set of Aspens.

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[Kefferch]

If you were to do it over and were in my shoes with my setup what would you recommend?

 

[Marauder]

If you were to do it over and were in my shoes with my setup what would you recommend?
 

For me, nothing other than going with the JPI 900 rather than the 830.

For you, it really depends on your intended mission, how long you plan on keeping the plane and your budget. If there is any chance that you will be selling the plane for something bigger or faster, I would do little other than putting in a WAAS GPS. I flew for 22 years with just steam gauges, fixing what needed to be fixed and doing only one major upgrade -- installing the STEC 60-2 autopilot. And I did that primarily for my family.

When my favorite airports started converting to RNAV approaches, I made the decision to upgrade the panel because I knew I was going to keep the plane. I did a lot of research on the capabilities of the equipment and being someone who likes redundancy opted for what you see here.

If you put a lot of money into a panel you won't see all that money back if you sell, but it will be easier to sell. This panel look familiar?





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[Kefferch]

For me, nothing other than going with the JPI 900 rather than the 830.

For you, it really depends on your intended mission, how long you plan on keeping the plane and your budget. If there is any chance that you will be selling the plane for something bigger or faster, I would do little other than putting in a WAAS GPS. I flew for 22 years with just steam gauges, fixing what needed to be fixed and doing only one major upgrade -- installing the STEC 60-2 autopilot. And I did that primarily for my family.

When my favorite airports started converting to RNAV approaches, I made the decision to upgrade the panel because I knew I was going to keep the plane. I did a lot of research on the capabilities of the equipment and being someone who likes redundancy opted for what you see here.

If you put a lot of money into a panel you won't see all that money back if you sell, but it will be easier to sell. This panel look familiar?





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I don't foresee getting rid of it for a long time. I just bought it in September and plan on keeping it long term.


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[Marauder]

I don't foresee getting rid of it for a long time. I just bought it in September and plan on keeping it long term.


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I would look at the kind of flying you plan on doing, the budget you have to spend and map out an upgrade plan. Just pay close attention to grouping upgrades that will save you money.


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[Kefferch]

I would look at the kind of flying you plan on doing, the budget you have to spend and map out an upgrade plan. Just pay close attention to grouping upgrades that will save you money.


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Most of my flying will be XC! I've already flown over 105 hours. I started as a Student pilot in December and since I bought the Mooney in September i've put 50+ hours on her.



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[N601RX]

I replaced my KMA20 with a used Garmin 340 about 2 years ago.  Then about 6 months ago I found a good deal on a slightly used PS8000BT unit which was a slide in replacement for the 340.  The 340 was a huge improvement over the KMA20 and there was some additional improvement with the PS800BT.

You are going to have to replace all the wiring from the KMA 20.  Its a very labor intensive job just running and connecting all the new wires. I probably spent close to 30 hrs or more doing it.