ArtVandelay Posted April 1, 2023 Report Posted April 1, 2023 Interesting, I have similar panel but a lot more circuit breakers, I guess there’s some flexibility how things are wired: Quote
gevertex Posted April 1, 2023 Author Report Posted April 1, 2023 3 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said: Interesting, I have similar panel but a lot more circuit breakers, I guess there’s some flexibility how things are wired: Interesting. Looks like your config differs from mine with a JPI for instance. Maybe some of mine are consolidated for those kinds of reasons. Quote
gevertex Posted April 1, 2023 Author Report Posted April 1, 2023 2 hours ago, ArtVandelay said: Interesting, I have similar panel but a lot more circuit breakers, I guess there’s some flexibility how things are wired: Looking more there are definitely a few differences. I don't have breakers for Nav lights Recog lights Strobe lights Boost Pump Pitot heat AV Master Nav 2 The airplane's original panel didn't either. Perhaps some of these are handled with circuit breaker switches. 1 Quote
ArtVandelay Posted April 1, 2023 Report Posted April 1, 2023 Looking more there are definitely a few differences. I don't have breakers for Nav lights Recog lights Strobe lights Boost Pump Pitot heat AV Master Nav 2 The airplane's original panel didn't either. Perhaps some of these are handled with circuit breaker switches.Oh, I saw your taxi, landing lights had breakers and assumed other lights had breakers as well. Yes I switched from unobtainium combo switch/CB to regular switches with separate circuit breakers. Quote
gevertex Posted April 1, 2023 Author Report Posted April 1, 2023 8 hours ago, ArtVandelay said: Oh, I saw your taxi, landing lights had breakers and assumed other lights had breakers as well. Yes I switched from unobtainium combo switch/CB to regular switches with separate circuit breakers. Some of the new switches I got are circuit breaker switches. Now I know why. Quote
gevertex Posted April 1, 2023 Author Report Posted April 1, 2023 More progress. Coming together quickly now. Quote
carusoam Posted April 2, 2023 Report Posted April 2, 2023 Gever, Is there a reason for your preference for a toggle switch for the avionics master? I have the Master, Alt, Avionics… in pretty much the same place in the O. All three switches look identical, and feel identical…. It’s easy to push the wrong one when reaching in from the outside during the pre-flight…. (Electric Stall warning and pitot heat get turned off via the master during the walk around) Panel looks really nice! Best regards, -a- Quote
gevertex Posted April 2, 2023 Author Report Posted April 2, 2023 On 4/2/2023 at 1:39 AM, carusoam said: Gever, Is there a reason for your preference for a toggle switch for the avionics master? I have the Master, Alt, Avionics… in pretty much the same place in the O. All three switches look identical, and feel identical…. It’s easy to push the wrong one when reaching in from the outside during the pre-flight…. (Electric Stall warning and pitot heat get turned off via the master during the walk around) Panel looks really nice! Best regards, -a- I actually wanted to replace all 3 of those switches with a toggle. But the shop didn’t want to change out the master and alt field switches. They were concerned about liability should something happen. They had a concern about those switches being mentioned in the POH and it being a problem if the POH didn't match the cockpit. I like the toggles because it’s easy to see if they are on or off at a glance, and they engage very affirmatively. I believe the Cessna master switch is the same size should I need to swap that out in the future. Agree having avionics master a different switch type makes it less likely to turn off accidentally, but the toggles are easier to catch your fingers on. Location is a big factor in that also. In one of the 172s I trained in, the avionics master is next to the trim (it’s a toggle also). Ask me how many times my finger hit that one off while reaching for the trim. Every time I hadn’t flown that one in a while it would happen at least once. I won’t have that problem at least. Loving the way this is turning out. I can’t wait to fly it! 1 Quote
carusoam Posted April 5, 2023 Report Posted April 5, 2023 One thing to keep in mind… The circuit breaker switches… wear with time/usage/amperage… It takes a certain amount of force to have the switch go ‘over-center’ to trip… As the wear occurs… that force starts to approach zero…. Allowing them to trip just by bumping them… A lesson I learned via M20C… its landing light switch was more than worn, and it wouldn’t stay on…. When the panel sag would bump it…. New switch, mandated fixing the panel sag…. On the other hand… non-CB switches aren’t affect by age or use very much at all…. Sometimes they are only activating the relay with not very much current either… The wear is why we use the relays… they are more wear resistant… Go aging planes! Old planes with color screens look amazing!!! Best regards, -a- Quote
gevertex Posted April 8, 2023 Author Report Posted April 8, 2023 Avionics are done. I am planning to drive up to see it Monday. Why see it and not pick it up or test fly it? AP had sent my dual mag out for overhaul, mine was 18 years and 600 hours since last overhaul (one of many items not identified on the pre-buy). The overhauled mag is apparently bad, the engine wouldn't start reliably after install. This is alarming by itself, aren't these kinds of critical parts supposed to be thoroughly tested before being sent out to customers? I guess I thought that was a portion of the premium of these parts. On top of that the annual is expired due to all of the delays over the last year, and the IA is going to give it an annual next (another compounding effect of the prior delays). Welcome to another 2-3 week delay. I dare not figure out my cost per hour this year given all of the down time . My welcome to aircraft ownership has been dragging on for almost a year now . It's a long story, this was fortunately not the annual from hell, but a series of unfortunate events. Admittedly some of these were self-inflicted. Starting with an overhauled engine, mechanic that sold his business suddenly, new prop, overhauled oil cooler, overhauled prop governor, and all of these things identified IN SEQUENCE instead of up front. That plus a few modifications I asked for on the panel upgrade (new switches primarily), and several items the shop forgot about from the last quote and resulted in a hell of a lot of delays. I was supposed to fly it for ~6 months before putting the new panel in, but ended up just having it available for 1 month. I really really hope I am close to the end on this one. I just want to fly it, lol. Everything is new, just work. Starting to think I need to stop swapping parts out . Oh yeah... Never buy an airplane that has been sitting for 18 months. It's ALWAYS worse than you think. The thing that keeps me going is the thought that this will be one hell of a machine when I am done, and a worthy tribute to the late prior owner. 2 Quote
carusoam Posted April 8, 2023 Report Posted April 8, 2023 MS prize for staying positive during challenging times goes to…. Gever!!! Corporate finance guys wrap all of the surprise expenses into one tough quarter… they throw in every expense they can find… This allows them to start their accounting fresh. The maneuver is quietly called kitchen sinking it… where they even threw in the KS! Best regards, -a- Quote
gevertex Posted April 8, 2023 Author Report Posted April 8, 2023 28 minutes ago, carusoam said: MS prize for staying positive during challenging times goes to…. Gever!!! Corporate finance guys wrap all of the surprise expenses into one tough quarter… they throw in every expense they can find… This allows them to start their accounting fresh. The maneuver is quietly called kitchen sinking it… where they even threw in the KS! Best regards, -a- Thanks. I'm so close, just a little more waiting 1 Quote
gevertex Posted April 10, 2023 Author Report Posted April 10, 2023 Saw the install today, looks pretty good. A couple issues I noticed. 1. While the CDI did read from the GNX 375, the flightplan did not crossfill 2. Getting an RS-232 error. 3. Magnetometer was not calibrated (perhaps that is something happens while flying) Guessing 1 and 2 could be related and because of the database mismatch between the units. Everything else looked good so far. Ultimate test will be when I get to fly it. Hopefully in a couple weeks. Love the LEMO even just sitting on the ground. No need to turn the controller for the Bose headset on and off. One less thing to worry about and 100% worth it. I believe that part was Only ~.5AMU for 2 plugs. Can't beat that. I agree about the circuit breaker switches. They are much less affirmative in their engagement than the toggles I have used in the past. Too late on that one, I'll make a mental note for another airplane. These are going to be more than fine. 1 Quote
gevertex Posted April 11, 2023 Author Report Posted April 11, 2023 I also noticed fuel smell in the cockpit. I believe this is an old issue, but it was pretty strong this time. Also noticed some dampness in right rear passenger footwell. Seems like I have a leak. The odd thing is I had a canopy cover over it covering the door, baggage door, and antennas. So I wonder where it would have leaked. Quote
carusoam Posted April 11, 2023 Report Posted April 11, 2023 3 hours ago, gevertex said: I also noticed fuel smell in the cockpit. I believe this is an old issue, but it was pretty strong this time. Also noticed some dampness in right rear passenger footwell. Seems like I have a leak. The odd thing is I had a canopy cover over it covering the door, baggage door, and antennas. So I wonder where it would have leaked. Fuel level sensor, and a small rubber hose connector are on the other side of the wall… Lift the rug carefully, blue stains underneath it are the calling card… The fuel runs to the center, under the kid’s feet… in back. (Graphic memory device) the careful part… is the dry air of early spring can cause sparks with carpets… Fixing these are really easy…. And I like the radio stack no longer needed in the usual place… and the spare AI there instead. Being SIC in this plane is a real treat! Best regards, -a- Quote
carusoam Posted April 11, 2023 Report Posted April 11, 2023 Old airplane smell… Don’t fall for it… Is usually a continuous drip of fuel collecting under the rug… Every weekend my M20C was talking to me… airing her out took a few minutes… then we would load the plane. The next weekend we would repeat the process… Somebody moved the rug, and exposed the blue stains…! New rug, new seals, new rubber connectors followed… Old plane smell magically went away. Best regards, -a- Quote
gevertex Posted April 11, 2023 Author Report Posted April 11, 2023 1 hour ago, Evan said: Looking good! A few comments: 1. The magnetometer calibration is usually done on a compass rose to ensure it is accurate. When my panel was done, it was one of the last things they did before I picked it up. 2. Consider getting different circuit breaker caps for different functions. For example, If you have a runaway trim, you pull everything that is red. If you have a gear problem you pull everything yellow. Just something I've found helpful when every second matters. Good to know about #1. Love #2, I'll get a few different colors once she's running again. Quote
gevertex Posted April 11, 2023 Author Report Posted April 11, 2023 9 hours ago, carusoam said: Old airplane smell… Don’t fall for it… Is usually a continuous drip of fuel collecting under the rug… Every weekend my M20C was talking to me… airing her out took a few minutes… then we would load the plane. The next weekend we would repeat the process… Somebody moved the rug, and exposed the blue stains…! New rug, new seals, new rubber connectors followed… Old plane smell magically went away. Best regards, -a- Unfortunately this is more like sitting inside of a gas can at this point. They are going to look at it. Seems to be worse after the fuel senders were replaced, hopefully that's all it is and the avionics shop can take care of it quickly. 1 Quote
gevertex Posted April 14, 2023 Author Report Posted April 14, 2023 Question for the group. I see G3X supports checklists, but I could not find any for Mooney. It looks like you can create them with a tool. I was planning to copy the checklist from the POH or checkmate checklist and load it to the G3X Touch with that tool. I searched but was surprised to not find anything. Quote
ArtVandelay Posted April 14, 2023 Report Posted April 14, 2023 Question for the group. I see G3X supports checklists, but I could not find any for Mooney. It looks like you can create them with a tool. I was planning to copy the checklist from the POH or checkmate checklist and load it to the G3X Touch with that tool. I searched but was surprised to not find anything.Since my checklist includes many items before I ever turn the power on I don’t see the point. Maybe if GP or FF had them it might be more useful. Quote
Pinecone Posted April 14, 2023 Report Posted April 14, 2023 For checklists, I have been running MiraChek. It runs on my phone or tablet and talks to you. With a BT headset or earbuds, you can actually check things off by responding "Check" to each prompt. If you like an old school backup, it will also format your checklist for printing. Quote
rbp Posted April 14, 2023 Report Posted April 14, 2023 9 hours ago, ArtVandelay said: Since my checklist includes many items before I ever turn the power on I don’t see the point. Maybe if GP or FF had them it might be more useful. I use the ForeFlight checklist system 1 Quote
gevertex Posted April 14, 2023 Author Report Posted April 14, 2023 10 hours ago, ArtVandelay said: Since my checklist includes many items before I ever turn the power on I don’t see the point. Maybe if GP or FF had them it might be more useful. You are right, the pre-flight would be mostly not in front of the instrument panel. But all of the other checklists are. Runup, Before Takeoff, Climb, Cruise, Descent, Before Landing, After Landing, Shutdown. The in flight ones are relatively simple to memorize, I'll give you that also. I usually don't use a written checklist in the air as flying and fumbling a piece of paper doesn't usually result in very good flying, but perhaps with an AP + integration with G3X this becomes a lot easier / more manageable. I did appreciate the checklist in the G1000 the one time I used it. Emergency procedures could be useful as well to have, especially if I can get the checklist to auto popup on engine out. I also saw an example of someone putting performance data into a checklist (you can make notes / display plain text). Could be interesting to have a cruise schedule listed (I know many people fly square, but optimal values in my POH aren't precisely square and of course vary with altitude). Quote
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