KX 155 Replacment

[merrja]

Hi All,

Are there any new ideas about replacing an old KX155?  She's unresponsive and my Radio #1 (another kx 155) is in need of a new display..... so thought I might see how to replace at least one of these with a new and hopefully inexpensive radio.

Thanks for the help!!! 

[Guest]

10 minutes ago, merrja said:

Hi All,

Are there any new ideas about replacing an old KX155?  She's unresponsive and my Radio #1 (another kx 155) is in need of a new display..... so thought I might see how to replace at least one of these with a new and hopefully inexpensive radio.

Thanks for the help!!! 

TKM Avionics makes a knock off replacement.

https://tkmavionics.com/our-products/mx155-navcomm/

Clarence

[N201MKTurbo]

21 minutes ago, M20Doc said:

TKM Avionics makes a knock off replacement.

https://tkmavionics.com/our-products/mx155-navcomm/

Clarence

They don’t seem to be for sale anywhere.

[1964-M20E]

I'm in similar situation looking to replace a Narco radio.  King still has a 155A.  The only other NAV/COM option I know of  is the Garmin 255.  After that is go to a panel mounted GPS, I like Avidyne's offerings

[markgrue]

Spruce has the KX165A on sale right now.   They show them in stick

 

Mark 

[RobertGary1]

At least for the display there is a guy in central CA that converts them to led. The old displays were slightly radioactive such that no country allows them to be produced. 

[Will.iam]

1 hour ago, markgrue said:

Spruce has the KX165A on sale right now.   They show them in stick

 

Mark 

And they are…. Gone. 

[WaynePierce]

I replaced mine with the GNS 430W that i moved when I installed my Avidyne IFD550. I would not recommend doing this and expecting it to be inexpensive ...

[Bob E]

KX-155's are still workhorses in the GA fleet.  Gulf Coast Avionics has a great avionics repair shop. They refurbished both of mine within the past 5 years (including new front bezels so they look AND work like new) and replaced the display on one of them with an LED. The LED is the exact same color as the plasma display so they look identical.

Regarding Wayne's comment above, I didn't have the budget for an IFD550 so when I upgraded my panel, I kept it simple: Instead of getting a 430W I decided to get a 400W (same as a 430W but without the radios) and keep the KX-155's and their separate displays. That avoids a single point of failure.

 

 

[Igor_U]

I just repaired my KX165 as the NAV section died.

Bevan Aviation did the repair and I was really happy with their work and prices. They really know those units.

Give them a call at 316-946-4870.

 

[Schinderhannes]

On 12/8/2021 at 5:44 AM, markgrue said:

Spruce has the KX165A on sale right now.   They show them in stick

 

Mark 

KX155A/KX165A backplate, connectors and wiring are not compatible with KX155/165 and rewiring is required.

[Rwsavory]

Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive replacements.  Best option is to get your radio repaired.  Going to an LED display is also recommended.  Both Bevan and Mid-Continent have done excellent work on ours.

[DCarlton]

3 minutes ago, Rwsavory said:

Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive replacements.  Best option is to get your radio repaired.  Going to an LED display is also recommended.  Both Bevan and Mid-Continent have done excellent work on ours.

Agree.  Mid Continent overhauled mine and upgraded the display.  No software; no databases.  It just works.  Love it.  

[MikeOH]

Been flying planes with KX155s since the 1970s.  Best radio ever made.

I'll fix mine (hasn't failed yet; can't say the same for the MUCH newer Garmin 430) as long as there is someone to fix it.  After that, as an EE, I know a hangar fairy

[markgrue]

On 12/9/2021 at 7:50 PM, Schinderhannes said:

KX155A/KX165A backplate, connectors and wiring are not compatible with KX155/165 and rewiring is required.

Actually there are only 2 wires that have to be changed.   They are the remote transfer switches if they are even used.   The 165A moves the com remote transfer to a different pin and does not support the nav remote transfer.   The 165A does add several new features that will have to be wired in if they are desired 

 

Mark 

[PT20J]

Interchangeability between 155 and 165 also depends on what it's connected to. The 155 requires a CDI indicator with a VOR/LOC converter. The 165 has the converter built it and will interface with a ARINC CDI indicator.

Skip

KX165-and-KX155-brochure.pdf

[MarkW]

My C had a standard GA six-pack, two VHF nav/coms, and no autopilot. I replaced one of my two KX-155s when the screen started acting up.

I chose a Garmin GNC-355 - a touchscreen GPS navigator with a COM radio, but no VHF NAV. The unit has a slightly smaller form factor than either the legacy 430 or the newer GTN-650, a trade-off for not having the VHF nav, but will fit the same hole left by the 155. Cost was about $10k installed, then I ebay-ed the old KX-155 as-is and netted about $1k back. 

I can fly ILS/VOR approaches with the remaining KX-155 (with back-up from the GPS), add GPS approach capability, plus moving map, info databases, and some nice bells and whistles. The 355 will support future growth like an autopilot, ADS-B "in" traffic and weather, etc.

Kind of a cheap-ish way to get something like an MFD...but that's not cheap.

OTOH, there are a ton of replacement, yellow-tagged 155s on ebay for about $2,450, and some will give you something for your core as trade.

[carusoam]

If looking to replace a radio with a similar pre-flown one…. See what Alan has on the shelf… @Alan Fox

I like the KX165… VOR, ILS, and will tell you what radial you are currently on…. In case it loses connection with the HSI…

 

I’m not sure about the radioactive comment above… But, the displays get ridiculously hot for what they do…

Best regards,

-a-

[Alan Fox]

I have about 10 in stock currently , All of mine have been benched , repaired , and tagged ,  These radios are nearing the end of their life cycle , Once the displays are gone , they are gone, and the LED conversion is 2 K , plus any problems , even the socket , that the display that the display goes into , is no longer available ,,,

[75_M20F]

I sent my inop KX-155 into MidContinent Instruments. They installed a new LED display and overhauled the radio.

Pretty quick turnaround too. I feel I will get another decade or two out of it at this point.

 

Edited January 4, 2022 by 75_M20F

[gacoon]

4 hours ago, 75_M20F said:

I sent my inop KX-155 into MidContinent Instruments. They installed a new LED display and overhauled the radio.

Pretty quick turnaround too. I feel I will get another decade or two out of it at this point.

 

Can you share the cost of that work?

[DCarlton]

20 minutes ago, gacoon said:

Can you share the cost of that work?

I can look mine up if you don't get an answer. I think it was around $1800 with the new display if I remember correctly but it's a great radio and it's cheaper than a new Garmin install.  Mid Continent will give you a quote by email; they're very responsive. 

Edited January 4, 2022 by DCarlton

[75_M20F]

9 hours ago, gacoon said:

Can you share the cost of that work?

New LED Display plus overhaul was $2,496.00. If you all you need it is a new display it would be somewhat less of course.

I realize that is not cheap, but it is an excellent radio and I just slid it back into the panel and I was back in business vs downtime / labor installing another type.

Just give them a call and discuss. I found them to be great to work with.

Edited January 4, 2022 by 75_M20F

[DCarlton]

I looked up my invoice.  It was $2550 (not $1800).  Mid Continent installed the display mod and socket, adjusted the COM squelch, repaired the NAV audio and replaced the lens.  Turn around time was 5 days.  

[MBDiagMan]

On 12/8/2021 at 5:53 AM, N201MKTurbo said:

They don’t seem to be for sale anywhere.

Try bennettavionics.com