Panel upgrade electrical documentation

[spistora]

For those of you that have panel upgrades, I'm curious what type of electrical documentation you did, or what you may have received from the installer. I trying to decide if I should redraw the schematic in a similar format to the original, or redraw in format similar to Dynon's example. I assume installers aren't redrawing full schematics but I'm curious how they mark up existing schematics, if they do. Anyway, I mainly interested in seeing some examples of redrawn schematics if anyone has something to share.

Thanks.

MAN134 elec.pdf

Dynon example.pdf

[PT20J]

Don't know about Dynon. For Garmin, there are connection diagrams in the installation manuals and my installer marked up the appropriate documents showing what was connected to what. There are also configuration documents that needed to be filled out to show how the units were configured since there are a LOT of settings that are set up in config mode. I took the Mooney schematic pdf to a print shop and had a D size copy made and the installer marked up any changes to the Mooney wiring. 

 

[spistora]

Thanks Skip. That's kind of the direction I think I'm going. I printed the original schematic in large format and plan to mark up a demo set and an as-installed set for the original wiring. I was contemplating redrawing the original schematics in a similar format to the connection diagrams provided by Dynon/Garmin for the as-installed drawings. I'm not sure if it's worth the effort though.

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, spistora said:

For those of you that have panel upgrades, I'm curious what type of electrical documentation you did, or what you may have received from the installer. I trying to decide if I should redraw the schematic in a similar format to the original, or redraw in format similar to Dynon's example. I assume installers aren't redrawing full schematics but I'm curious how they mark up existing schematics, if they do. Anyway, I mainly interested in seeing some examples of redrawn schematics if anyone has something to share.

Thanks.

MAN134 elec.pdf 951.41 kB · 4 downloads

Dynon example.pdf 699.81 kB · 1 download

I had a significant panel overhaul done by a large local shop, and I asked for "as built" drawings, or sketches or anything that would help for understanding and maintaining the installation.   They refused.   I don't know why, but they specifically refused to provide any documentation on the work they had done.   I've since installed some things myself and had to reverse engineer what they had done, and I know I'll have to do more of that when I remove the existing (inop) autopilot and replace it.  I do document what I do and what I've sorted out that the shop did, but it would have been a lot easier and saved a ton of time to get some sort of documentation from the shop.

[N201MKTurbo]

When I did my panel upgrade in 2017 before I wired anything I drew schematics for everything. It made the install much easier.

I have an old copy of Altium Designer I used for the schematics.

I was doing the annual on a 310 recently and I had some questions about some of the new wiring. The owner said "I think I have that". He produced a complete set of schematics for the latest avionics upgrade. They were very well done. So, a good set of schematics are not unheard of.

[jamesm]

I have debated what is the best way in doing this ... The Mid 1960's schematics seem to be straight forward but when I look at early 1980's I see too many lines that could lead me a stray. So is it best to have one that breaks down power for one layer and another layer specifics signals and perhaps 3rd misc signal that aren't your standard A429,RS232,RS485,RS422, CAN, Grey code, etc ,etc , etc.   If you owned the airplane for years you probably have good idea what equipment has been added and removed over the years but if you are new owner or a little deterred by what might seem to be a complex maze of wires going everywhere or no where in some case depending how previous person dealt with that. Mine was fairly simple I was around for most or the work that was done to it. I think the only wires that haven't been replaced is Pitot heat, Stall warning fuel pump, and the big fat cables ground and power cables (starter alternator, and battery) and maybe portions of overhead/shoulder lighting torpedo lights. all else wiring has been replace with Tefzel  MS grade wiring.

James '67C

[Aerodon]

I think you need to separate your thinkinking into electrical and avionics.

Printing up a full size Mooney electrical drawing and marking up is a great idea.  There can be a lot of stuff removed, replaced or modified during an upgrade, and its not hard to make handwritten notes to the drawings.    Things like annunciators, old engine instruments, dimmer unit replaced, vacuum warning lights, etc.

My Mooney drawing shows the avionics circuit breakers to an avionics power connector, and another one to an autopilot power connector.  I've tried to keep the same pattern going, although I no longer need the autopilot connector.  And I no longer need the Sonalerts for the autopilot.  

All avionics shops should provide some documentation as part of the requirement for 'continued airworthiness'.  I would be satisfied with an overall block diagram and then individual sections for each item installed.  Most avionics manufacturers provide 'installation drawings' that can be printed and marked up. Often these include interfaces to other manufacturers equipment.  

Aerodon

 

[spistora]

Thanks for all the ideas. It seems like have a combination of the revised original schematics and the new block diagram style is pretty typical. If I get board in the future, I might convert the marked up schematics into a more readable format matching the manufacturers drawings.

[Lois]

One of the most valuable parts of the supersize printout is being able to chase and read each wire and connectors labels as you deconstruct and modify the system.