Avidyne 540- updating NAV data

[0TreeLemur]

Question directed to folks with Avidyne experience.   The J we just brought home has an Avidyne 540.  The seller sent me the most recent nav data update file.   He said to just put it on a USB stick and plug it in with the unit turned off, then power it up.   Ok, I did that.  The unit said something about "initializing USB...", but then reported that it failed. 

Does this have to be the only file on the USB stick?   Is there a specific format or limit to the size (partition size) on the USB drive?

The file he sent me was a ~10MB binary called: navdata.dsf   Is there a way to get the correct checksum to see if it is corrupt?

I haven't started digging into this yet, thought I would ask here first in case someone has already trodden this path

Fred

[1964-M20E]

No it does not need to be the only file on the jump drive.

 

I have not yet run across this issue.

Did you try a second time after powering down the 540?

Usually after it queries the drive it brings up a screen then you select the database to update and press proceed.  Sometimes it takes a minute to figure out how to tell it to proceed but far easier than the KLN94.  I guess the file on the drive could be corrupt.

 

Oh as far as the latest software upstate from Avidyne for the 540 wait a while if you haven't done it.  Somehow they forgot to put in the feature that remembers the last com frequency used.  The standby frequency stays on the last frequency, but not the active one.

[EricJ]

2 hours ago, 0TreeLemur said:

Question directed to folks with Avidyne experience.   The J we just brought home has an Avidyne 540.  The seller sent me the most recent nav data update file.   He said to just put it on a USB stick and plug it in with the unit turned off, then power it up.   Ok, I did that.  The unit said something about "initializing USB...", but then reported that it failed. 

Does this have to be the only file on the USB stick?   Is there a specific format or limit to the size (partition size) on the USB drive?

The file he sent me was a ~10MB binary called: navdata.dsf   Is there a way to get the correct checksum to see if it is corrupt?

I haven't started digging into this yet, thought I would ask here first in case someone has already trodden this path

Fred

The USB drive needs to be formatted to FAT32, but I don't know of any requirements other than that.    If there's a USB device plugged in at boot, it'll boot into maintenance mode and query the device for update files newer than what it has.    The update screen is pretty straightforward.

My navigation.dsf file is 5.6M, but I don't get charts, just the nav database, and just for west/central USA.    If the previous owner had a larger subscription coverage or also got charts it might explain the larger size.  

[0TreeLemur]

3 hours ago, 1964-M20E said:

No it does not need to be the only file on the jump drive.

Did you try a second time after powering down the 540?

Usually after it queries the drive it brings up a screen then you select the database to update and press proceed.  Sometimes it takes a minute to figure out how to tell it to proceed but far easier than the KLN94.  I guess the file on the drive could be corrupt.

Yeah, I tried a couple of times with the same result.  I'm thinking corrupt file.   I appreciate the warning on the software update.

[0TreeLemur]

Just watch an Avidyne video.  I missed the step where you must use the lower right-hand knob to select the database you want to update.  I'm going to go to the hangar and try that.

[EricJ]

Just now, 0TreeLemur said:

Just watch an Avidyne video.  I missed the step where you must use the lower right-hand knob to select the database you want to update.  I'm going to go to the hangar and try that.

It's a touch screen, so you can just tap the items for the same result.   It'll put a check mark next to it to confirm it's selected.

[WaynePierce]

I've used the same USB drive to update my IFD 550 since my first update. SanDisk 16GB USB 3.0. I made sure it was formatted correctly and I've only updated the drive each time there is one available. I've not deleted anything off of it and I think I even put an update for my GI 275 on the same drive and it didn't adversely affect the operation. You may want to copy the files on to a hard drive and then re-format the jump drive then recopy the info that you took off of it originally. If the solution you mentioned above doesn't work.

[ohdub]

I have a vague recollection that the IFDs can't read a USB stick that is larger than 16GB. I might be misremembering though. And as someone else mentioned it must be formatted to FAT32.

[0TreeLemur]

Tried again, following the correct procedure.   Here is the message the machine gave me.  Any thoughts?

 

[EricJ]

The file he gave you may have been intended for a different unit.   If the file and the machine don't match, I think that's what you get.

 

[LANCECASPER]

11 hours ago, 0TreeLemur said:

Tried again, following the correct procedure.   Here is the message the machine gave me.  Any thoughts?

 

 

Since the airplane is new to you it's time to call Jeppesen and set up your own account. Get the $299 Nav package. It isn't worth it to get charts on the IFD.

Also join forums.avidyne.com and there's a wealth of information on all of this on there.

I had Avidynes in my previous two airplanes and really liked them. I have a Gary Reeves 2 DVD Avidyne training set. PM me your shipping details and I'll mail them to you.

[Mooney in Oz]

Make sure the 'N' number displayed in the IFD config settings is exactly the same as your tail 'N' number.

Agree with Lance that you need your own Jepp account. 

[Steve Dawson]

Make sure you have ground power plugged in if you're not downloading while the engine is running. There's a chance that the IFD will power down and you'll need to get the computer re-flashed. I believe it has to be above an 8 amp supply and it's in the manual.