Let the games begin - MAJOR Avionics Upgrade.

[Pinecone]

Hmm, I wish I had known that a day ago.  Too late now.  But a good idea.

 

[Pinecone]

This should be the last update.   Next time I see the plane, the work should be done and ready to test fly.

Finalized the panel layout last week.  Had to make some compromises.   I am losing my Mid-Continent clock as there is no room for it.    Also, I was going to put in the Electro Aire mag and push button starter switches.  But the unit is so large that I would have to give up the UBS power outlets.   So we are going with toggle switches for mags and starter.  Mag switches will be locking (pull to move) and the center start switch will be spring loaded.  My shop said they have had issues with the pushbutton switches.

I figured out to best, IMO, group the switches.  Far left are the electrical (master, alt 1, alt 2, Avionics).  Then to the right of them are the fuel switches, primer, low boost, high boost.  Just to the right of the yoke are the Ice switches (prop and pitot heat).  The light switches are to the left of the radio stack.  Top row are Recognition, Taxi, Landing.  Second row is Beacon, Pulser, Nav, Strobes.

[hubcap]

Have you gotten your plane back yet?

I would really like to see a picture of the finished project!!

[Pinecone]

Hope to test fly it this coming week.  I will get pictures.

[Pinecone]

Just got back after a trans Atlantic cruise, expecting to be test flying this week, but the work is now officially over time.

I will go see it on Thursday.  The left and center panels are cut, powder coated, and laser etched.   They are working on the CB panel.

Interior should have been done, but the shop is still working on it, but promise to start installing next week,

[Rick Junkin]

8 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

ust got back after a trans Atlantic cruise, expecting to be test flying this week, but the work is now officially over time.

90% complete, 50% to go.

[Pinecone]

Last 10% of the job takes 90% of the time.

 

[Pinecone]

Update on panel. It looks like another 3 weeks. Left and center panels are cut and undergoing test fitting. CB (Right panel) is in final stages. Next they will connect up the avionics and start testing and configuration while the panels are powder coated and etched.

This panel is the proverbial 10 pounds of avionics in a 5 pound Mooney panel. There is ONE space of about 2x2 that is not currently used. 

First pic is the radio stack. PS Engineering 450B, GTN-750Xi, GTN-650Xi. Reason for both is that I had the 650Xi and the delta to replace with a more basic box wasn't worth it.
Second is right side showing hole for 7" G3X. I guess technically there is a bit of space to the left of the yoke.
Third  is the left side panel. G-5 and GFC-507 (AP controller) are sitting in place. The space between the G3X and radio stack above the holes for switches is the only free space.

 

[Fly Boomer]

50 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

First pic is the radio stack.

Is the opening above the audio panel big enough for the factory annunciator?

[Pinecone]

Yes, that is what it is for.

Due to not needing or not being allowed to use some of the annunciators, I contacted IAI and got a custom mask made.  So have Speed Brakes, Pitot Heat, Prop Heat as annunciators.

I removed Left and Right Low Fuel (can't use with Garmin EIS STC) and Low Vac (no vac system).

[hubcap]

I told you it would be done by the end of May. I wish I could run my business like that.

[LANCECASPER]

6 hours ago, hubcap said:

I told you it would be done by the end of May. I wish I could run my business like that.

You just didn't say which May 

[Pinecone]

IT'S ALIVE.

The avionics are powered on.  No magic smoke was released.  Programming and configuration is under way.

[DCarlton]

After spending a few weeks under my instrument panel, I'm starting to wonder how people do this work for a living without destroying their knees... shoulders... back...  or at what age they move away from doing this type of work.   My knees still haven't recovered...  I'll never again complain about the time associated with avionics work.  And I completely understand why shops want to start all new on the workbench instead of working with what's already in the panel.   Respect to the avionics techs out there. 

[Pinecone]

Well, things are almost done, but had a bit of a snag last week.

When they went to laser etch the labels on the left panel, it printed in Shadow letters.  Also some labeling errors in the CB panel.  The good news is, Power Coat is very durable.  The bad news is Powder Coat is very durable.  And hard to remove.

Otherwise, all programming and configuration is done, including calibrating Cies senders.  So, it should be done this week.  Annual is being finished on Wednesday.

The interior is running a bit slow.  Having to light a fire under that guy.

[ArtVandelay]

After spending a few weeks under my instrument panel, I'm starting to wonder how people do this work for a living without destroying their knees... shoulders... back...  or at what age they move away from doing this type of work.   My knees still haven't recovered...  I'll never again complain about the time associated with avionics work.  And I completely understand why shops want to start all new on the workbench instead of working with what's already in the panel.   Respect to the avionics techs out there. 

Every avionics tech I’ve met is on the small side, 5’10” or less tall and very trim. This is why they like the big jobs, they will rip out the entire panel and have easy access.

[Pinecone]

ALMOST DONE.  I have seen it powered up.  AWESOME.

A couple of little glitches.  They are calibrating the fuel senders as I type this.  Annual is being completed also.

Now waiting on the interior guy to finish and install the interior.  That is looking good.  I am going to change the trim to fabric for a bit more contrast.  That is the trim strip and the piece above the arm rests.  It doesn't look like it in the photo, but the lower part of the panel is a good bit darker than the upper part.

 

[Pinecone]

Now being held up by the interior guy.

But did spend some time with the plane yesterday, in the hangar, and found a couple of things that need to be addressed.

One was that the manifold pressure was reading 34.8 inches with the engine off.

And the landing light is not working properly with the pulser.

One thing I wish Garmin would fix with a software update is that the com/nav colors don't match between G3X and GTNs.  On the GTNs, the active frequency is green and the standby is white.  On the G3X, the active is white and the standby is blue.

[Max Clark]

9 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

One thing I wish Garmin would fix with a software update is that the com/nav colors don't match between G3X and GTNs.  On the GTNs, the active frequency is green and the standby is white.  On the G3X, the active is white and the standby is blue.

I'm triggered just thinking about this

[Danb]

On 5/25/2024 at 9:42 AM, Pinecone said:

Now being held up by the interior guy.

But did spend some time with the plane yesterday, in the hangar, and found a couple of things that need to be addressed.

One was that the manifold pressure was reading 34.8 inches with the engine off.

And the landing light is not working properly with the pulser.

One thing I wish Garmin would fix with a software update is that the com/nav colors don't match between G3X and GTNs.  On the GTNs, the active frequency is green and the standby is white.  On the G3X, the active is white and the standby is blue.

Very nice, like to see it in person.. you’ll love it 

D 

[Rick Junkin]

On 5/25/2024 at 9:42 AM, Pinecone said:

One thing I wish Garmin would fix with a software update is that the com/nav colors don't match between G3X and GTNs.  On the GTNs, the active frequency is green and the standby is white.  On the G3X, the active is white and the standby is blue.

On 5/25/2024 at 9:51 AM, Max Clark said:

I'm triggered just thinking about this

The active freq that is selected for transmit is also green on the G3X if you have a Garmin comm panel interfaced with the G3X. It doesn’t work with the PSEngineering comm panels because they don’t communicate to the G3X which radio is selected. I think that’s mentioned in either the G3X Pilot Guide or installation manual.

Here’s a screen shot that shows the G3X, with comm 2 selected for transmit on my GMA345, and the active freq displayed in green.

EDIT: However the standby freq blue/white color mismatch you mention between the G3X and the GTN isn't there on my GTN 650Xi. The standby freq on the 650Xi is blue and matches the G3X.

Cheers,
Junkman

EDIT: Found it on page 97 of the G3X Touch Pilot Guide:

[Pinecone]

2 hours ago, Danb said:

Very nice, like to see it in person.. you’ll love it 

D 

Glad to meet up and show it off once I get it.  Or meet me at N71 next week when I am up there.

 

[Pinecone]

18 minutes ago, Rick Junkin said:

The active freq that is selected for transmit is also green on the G3X if you have a Garmin comm panel interfaced with the G3X. It doesn’t work with the PSEngineering comm panels because they don’t communicate to the G3X which radio is selected. I think that’s mentioned in either the G3X Pilot Guide or installation manual.

Here’s a screen shot that shows the G3X, with comm 2 selected for transmit on my GMA345, and the active freq displayed in green.

However the standby freq blue/white color mismatch between the G3X and the GTN remains.

 

Cheers,
Junkman

EDIT: Found it on page 97 of the G3X Touch Pilot Guide:

 

Thanks.  They could just make both green.

Not sure that even if I knew this I would have gone with Garmin audio panel.

 

[Rick Junkin]

15 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

 

Thanks.  They could just make both green.

Not sure that even if I knew this I would have gone with Garmin audio panel.

 

Interestingly enough it’s that one feature that pushed me to choose the GMA345. 

But I had developed a CONOPS of how I was going to use my new avionics with the G3X being the single point source of all information and action to the max extent possible, while still preserving redundant access to critical functions if the G3X failed. I’m sure we all did/do the same thing. I like the PSEngineering equipment better than the GMA345. But I recognized that I’m a “set it and forget it” kind of guy and would rarely if ever need or use all of the functionality of the PSEngineering kit. The GMA345 met my needs PLUS gave me the active freq indication on the G3X which I find valuable. I only mention this to provide a perspective to @Max Clark because he’s in the planning stages.

@Pinecone your panel looks awesome! I’m looking forward to your first flight report. It’s a whole new ballgame.

Cheers,
Junkman

[Pinecone]

I am looking forward to it also.

But I do have time with G3X, GTN, GFC-500.  Local FBO has a 172 setup with the combo.  They run a multi step checkout to be able to fly it.  And it is mainly for instruction only, but a few select pilots are allowed to rent it.