KX-155.com

[redcatcher27]

My KX-155 nav/com, which acts as a backup to my Garmin 530, failed a few months ago (it wouldn't power-up). I delayed trying to get it fixed until my annual this past month. Unfortunately, my shop didn't have any great plans for being able to get it fixed in a reasonable time and cost. They were actually encouraging me to have a GNC255 installed to "match the rest of my panel". Technically, I'm not a CB, but I thought that was ridiculous. So, with the help on mooneyspace.com, I pursued other options. I happened upon kx-155.com, read the good reviews, and decided to try them.

Now, I'm adding my own review:

I just can't imagine a better option. It only took 11 days from the time I sent it off until the day I received it back, and that included a 48 hours long bench test. Along the way, Ed from kx-155.com, aka Soldan Electronics, keep me informed every step of the way. I received 3 detailed videos from Ed. The first showing that he had gotten my radio up and running by replacing the power supply. The second showed the unit on his bench test stand, and how mic gain, output power, frequency deviation, and an assortment of other adjustments needed to be made. The last video was also on the test stand with all the new components installed and all adjustments made.

Total cost was $1499.00

The invoice read: "Fix Switching power supply, REPLACED FREQ TRANSFER SWITCHES, REPLACED PHOTOCELL IN DIMMING CIRCUITS, Lube all switches controls for smooth noise free operation, adjust Mic Gain, TX power, AGC Squelch, TX freq, VOR composite level.....install Overhauled Faceplate and new lenses...Detail and clean. Run 48 hours and Retest all again."

The unit looks brand new and works like a charm. It came with a nice Allen tool along with instructions about how to properly reinstall it into the panel without damaging the unit. All along the way, Ed was adamant about me checking to make sure I have proper cooling to the avionics stack. That right there tells me he is more focused on customer service than on his own productivity. 

I couldn't be happier!

[N201MKTurbo]

I have two flakey ones, maybe I should send one in.

[carusoam]

Great pirep for KX-155.com!

Thanks for sharing the details…

Was there an option to go with an LCD screen?

The usual screen generates a lot of heat….

Best regards,

-a-

[redcatcher27]

22 minutes ago, carusoam said:

Great pirep for KX-155.com!

Thanks for sharing the details…

Was there an option to go with an LCD screen?

The usual screen generates a lot of heat….

Best regards,

-a-

I asked. He doesn't do that.

[Igor_U]

Thank you for the Pirep! I knew the website but I never use them.

Last Winter I had a problem with my KX-165 and used Bevan Aviation in Wichita (316) 946-4870) and was very pleased with them. Jake is member on MS. 

My unit was powering up (unlike yours) so not fully comparable, but they did similar work according the description for much less money. 

Rich, I would call Bevan first...

 

 

Good luck

3 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I have two flakey ones, maybe I should send one in.

 

[Shadrach]

7 hours ago, carusoam said:

Great pirep for KX-155.com!

Thanks for sharing the details…

Was there an option to go with an LCD screen?

The usual screen generates a lot of heat….

Best regards,

-a-

Where is the heat generated? It’s certainly not at the screen. 

[MikeOH]

7 minutes ago, Shadrach said:

Where is the heat generated? It’s certainly not at the screen. 

I believe the original KX-155 used gas plasma displays which are pretty power hungry vs. LED. LCD much much less than that.

[carusoam]

10 minutes ago, Shadrach said:

Where is the heat generated? It’s certainly not at the screen. 

I expect the gas plasma as mentioned by Mike above…

The faces of the BK displays are unusually warm…

unless they act as a heat sink for something else….

It is noticeable the first time you use them…. In bumps…

You steady your hand by leaning fingers against the box….

How hot? If my shower was that warm… I’d add a little cold water to the mix….   

Best regards,

-a-

[Shadrach]

42 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

I believe the original KX-155 used gas plasma displays which are pretty power hungry vs. LED. LCD much much less than that.

I know they are high voltage but I’ve never noticed high heat output. 

[MikeOH]

20 minutes ago, Shadrach said:

I know they are high voltage but I’ve never noticed high heat output. 

Typical anode to cathode voltage is around 150V, the segments must be multiplexed as they draw around 5 mA per segment...doing the math, if all 7 segments are on you are looking at 0.65 Watts per digit!  The KX-155 has, what, 20 digits?  13 Watts in that small an area gets pretty warm!

[Shadrach]

49 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

Typical anode to cathode voltage is around 150V, the segments must be multiplexed as they draw around 5 mA per segment...doing the math, if all 7 segments are on you are looking at 0.65 Watts per digit!  The KX-155 has, what, 20 digits?  13 Watts in that small an area gets pretty warm!

So it’s a 10W transmitter with a 13W display? Seems unlikely but I’ll take your word for it.

[MikeOH]

20 minutes ago, Shadrach said:

So it’s a 10W transmitter with a 13W display? Seems unlikely but I’ll take your word for it.

That is worst case, but if half the segments are on, probably a bit more realistic, more like 5-6 watts.  To be fair, they are likely not run at 100%, either (duty cycle dimming).  My point is only that they do run pretty warm if you put your finger on the display after the unit has been on for awhile.

Also, that 10 W transmitter section takes more like 20W to run.

[0TreeLemur]

19 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

That is worst case, but if half the segments are on, probably a bit more realistic, more like 5-6 watts.  To be fair, they are likely not run at 100%, either (duty cycle dimming).  My point is only that they do run pretty warm if you put your finger on the display after the unit has been on for awhile.

Also, that 10 W transmitter section takes more like 20W to run.

Yes.  Warm enough to damage the plastic lens over time.

[Shadrach]

13 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

That is worst case, but if half the segments are on, probably a bit more realistic, more like 5-6 watts.  Also, that 10 W transmitter section takes more like 20W to run.

Book says 13.75V at 8.5A max consumption on transmission . Wouldn’t that be quite a bit more than 20W?  Can find no info on display consumption. The only reason I am surprised is because I’ve never noticed any heat from the displays in decades of use.  

[Shadrach]

4 minutes ago, 0TreeLemur said:

Yes.  Warm enough to damage the plastic lens over time.

Must take some serious time. Ours were installed new in the late 80s and the lenses have not degraded at all.

[MikeOH]

1 minute ago, Shadrach said:

Book says 13.75V at 8.5A max consumption on transmission . Wouldn’t that be quite a bit more than 20W?  Can find no info on display consumption. The only reason I am surprised is because I’ve never noticed any heat from the displays in decades of use.  

Yeah, sounds like the transmitter is more inefficient than I thought!  Holy cow!

I suspect you haven't noticed because you don't normally touch the display; it's not so hot that it's radiating.  But, next time, after you've been flying awhile, put your finger tip on the display lens.  It will be warm.  Really, this discussion is relevant because of the comparison to how much less an LED takes, and a LCD is virtually nothing in comparison.