Avionics install New Orleans

[jbs007]

I recently ran into a great deal on a demo model IFD440 that has 15 hrs on it and still on factory warranty.  Came with a new AXP340 transponder too.  Now I need to get it installed in my M20E, hopefully by mid June.  

I am at New Orleans Lakefront airport (KNEW). There is a really great avionics guy here but he is very booked up, which seems to apply to many avionics shops these days.  Does anyone here know of someone in the area that can help with an install?  I can help with any hands on work too if that helps.  I currently have a PS Engineering 6000B audio panel and a STEC 30 installed in the plane.  Thanks!

[Paul_Havelka]

Just a thought but if you're fairly handy you can do the install yourself.  I got direct wire harnesses through Jesse Saint that he got from Approach Fast Stack.  I just installed the AXP340 and a 430w along with a new bluetooth audio panel and a G5 HSI

[carusoam]

Jesse isn’t too far away either... by Mooney.  Florida...

Best regards,

-a-

[jbs007]

Thanks for the recommendation. I have never heard of the fast stack before but that looks great. I have been in touch with Jesse and this is probably the route Ill go since I can keep it simple for now and do more swapping later.  I'd really like my plane flyable in 2 months with the new GPS and transponder.  I'll look more into upgrading indicators and audio panels later.  This fast stack looks like it allows me to do that.

Might be a dumb question, but when it comes to big panel rebuilds I see, people post a picture of the rats nest of wiring they have coming out. I have that too.  Does anyone ever remove all the components from the panel (even the ones they are keeping, like switches and breakers) and all that wiring and start from scratch putting things back in?  Of all the rats nest "before" pics and nice panel "after" pics I see, I never see a picture of everything removed.  My plane has had many iterations of comms, ADFs, gps's, panel mods, etc.  I believe there are many wires that don't go anywhere but are left in because they were zip tied to everything else.

Edited April 18, 2020 by jbs007

[carusoam]

Putting old stuff back in..?

Since the cost of usable avionics is half installation costs...

The need or desire to re-use stuff starts to wane.

Removing stuff properly includes removal of all the related wires... and that isn’t free either...

 

So...

If you have a favorite radio, or just bought the latest GTN last year...

Sure some things will get reused...

Many of the fancy panels around here are as if they are a brand new plane...

Others are built piecemeal whenever a nice box comes available from the reaper...

personal economics seem to be the driving force for most projects...

 

Going the fast stack route is interesting...

It is really clear what wiring costs can be... they are awfully high...

If spreading the costs out over time is helpful... this is an interesting approach...

Best regards,

-a-

[Paul_Havelka]

While my harnesses were from Approach Fast Stack I do not have their stack.  They are point to point harnesses just like what would be made and installed at an avionics shop.  Jesse is great to deal with and even responded back via texts or phone calls well after working hours or on weekends.

[1964-M20E]

On 4/17/2020 at 12:26 PM, jbs007 said:

I recently ran into a great deal on a demo model IFD440 that has 15 hrs on it and still on factory warranty.  Came with a new AXP340 transponder too.  Now I need to get it installed in my M20E, hopefully by mid June.  

I am at New Orleans Lakefront airport (KNEW). There is a really great avionics guy here but he is very booked up, which seems to apply to many avionics shops these days.  Does anyone here know of someone in the area that can help with an install?  I can help with any hands on work too if that helps.  I currently have a PS Engineering 6000B audio panel and a STEC 30 installed in the plane.  Thanks!

Good new on the 440 you will like it a lot.  Don't forget the IFD 100 program to run on your I pad rely nice especially with the smaller 440 screen.

There is a shop in Houma that does installs and one at  Paterson.  Let me know when you go maybe I can follow you and pick you up.  We can have a beer after the flying is done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lake Aero]

We can help it install but we are located in California. Our company name is LASAR. https://lasar.com/