MVP 50 Electronics International Placement

[Brian2034]

Okay,

Looking for suggestions/ pictures

Getting ready to start the removal of existing engine instruments and installation of a MVP 50 as my primary  engine monitor in my M20C. Looking for suggestions on placement and thoughts if I should keep some of the existing gauges?

Trying to keep in mind I may upgrade the flight instruments at a later date.

 

 

 

[LANCECASPER]

16 minutes ago, Brian2034 said:

Okay,

Looking for suggestions/ pictures

Getting ready to start the removal of existing engine instruments and installation of a MVP 50 as my primary  engine monitor in my M20C. Looking for suggestions on placement and thoughts if I should keep some of the existing gauges?

Trying to keep in mind I may upgrade the flight instruments at a later date.

When you put in the MVP50, JPI930, etc. you remove all of the factory gauges per the STC.

[Marc_B]

@Brian2034 You might post a picture of your current panel and describe what you're having done.  i.e. If you have all original panel and just adding an engine monitor you're likely to be way more space constrained and may have less "choice" of where to put your engine monitor.

Personally I like having the engine monitor in the area between the PFD and your radio stack.  It's MUCH more in your typical scan area, and you're more likely to see changes you might not have picked up if it were on the far right or far left.

[Brian2034]

4 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

When you put in the MVP50, JPI930, etc. you remove all of the factory gauges per the STC.

That’s my plan but wanted suggestions if I should leave something intact as a backup?
Also looking for suggestions on placement of the MVP, should have a decent amount of empty  space with the steam gauges gone.

Placement wise, I would like to have the new monitor closer to the pilot / center of the panel. Currently my manifold pressure is on the far right of the panel, next to the entry door which made it a PIA to see.

Looks like at minimum will replace copilot and Center radio sections of instrument panel

I guess I should list what’s being removed for sale also.

[Brian2034]

10 minutes ago, Marc_B said:

@Brian2034 You might post a picture of your current panel and describe what you're having done.  i.e. If you have all original panel and just adding an engine monitor you're likely to be way more space constrained and may have less "choice" of where to put your engine monitor.

Personally I like having the engine monitor in the area between the PFD and your radio stack.  It's MUCH more in your typical scan area, and you're more likely to see changes you might not have picked up if it were on the far right or far left.

That’s an ideal location for it!

 I’m still running the basic flight instruments so not sure if I can squeeze it in between the flight instruments and radio stack. Without moving the radio stack to far copilot.

[LANCECASPER]

6 hours ago, Brian2034 said:

That’s my plan but wanted suggestions if I should leave something intact as a backup?
Also looking for suggestions on placement of the MVP, should have a decent amount of empty  space with the steam gauges gone.

I should have worded what I said better. You don't have the option of leaving any of the factory gauges as a backup since that is not allowed in the STC. 

[Brian2034]

8 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

I should have worded what I said better. You don't have the option of leaving any of the factory gauges as a backup since that is not allowed in the STC. 

I didn’t realize with the MVP acting as primary that you can’t retain any of the existing as backup.

For example the plane power alternator voltage regulator comes with a warning light. Yes the MVP has the alternator covered but the light is also convenient?

[Brian2034]

4 minutes ago, Brian2034 said:

I didn’t realize with the MVP acting as primary that you can’t retain any of the existing as backup.

For example the plane power alternator voltage regulator comes with a warning light. Yes the MVP has the alternator covered but the light is also convenient?

This image shows the MVP 50 with existing manifold and tachometer 

[LANCECASPER]

4 minutes ago, Brian2034 said:

This image shows the MVP 50 with existing manifold and tachometer 

Some people follow the STC, some don't?

[LANCECASPER]

19 minutes ago, Brian2034 said:

I didn’t realize with the MVP acting as primary that you can’t retain any of the existing as backup.

For example the plane power alternator voltage regulator comes with a warning light. Yes the MVP has the alternator covered but the light is also convenient?

You'd have to read the Plane Power STC and the MVP STC to see if it allows for that. Since the light wasn't a "ship" gauge required in your minimum equipment list in the POH, I can't see why it couldn't remain. 

You can have advisory instruments such as a lower end engine monitor (JPI 700, 800, 830 etc), plus your ship's gauges, but you can't have two sets of primary instruments. 

[Brian2034]

12 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

You'd have to read the Plane Power STC and the MVP STC to see if it allows for that. Since the light wasn't a "ship" gauge required in your minimum equipment list in the POH, I can't see why it couldn't remain. 

You can have advisory instruments such as a lower end engine monitor (JPI 700, 800, 830 etc), plus your ship's gauges, but you can't have two sets of primary instruments. 

I didn’t see it mentioned in the MVP instructions that all existing instrumentation MUST be removed. It’s not a major issue, just trying to determine a layout for the panel. Definitely going to be a little bare on the co-pilot side!

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, LANCECASPER said:

You can have advisory instruments such as a lower end engine monitor (JPI 700, 800, 830 etc), plus your ship's gauges, but you can't have two sets of primary instruments. 

I have a JPI900 and my mechanical tach is still installed because I use it for Tach time for maintenance records.   I think it just becomes secondary when the JPI900 is installed.   Similarly many people leave the existing air instruments when a GI-275 is installed even though they're not required.  

[Brian2034]

1 hour ago, EricJ said:

I have a JPI900 and my mechanical tach is still installed because I use it for Tach time for maintenance records.   I think it just becomes secondary when the JPI900 is installed.   Similarly many people leave the existing air instruments when a GI-275 is installed even though they're not required.  

That’s what I was thinking the MVP becomes primary and anything left behind becomes secondary.

[Brian2034]

[LANCECASPER]

On 1/5/2025 at 9:56 AM, Brian2034 said:

That’s what I was thinking the MVP becomes primary and anything left behind becomes secondary.

All of us can guess. But the guy that would know that correct answer is @oregon87 since he works with Electronics International, the maker of the MVP-50.

[philiplane]

The correct answer from the EI MVP-50 installation manual is:

I. If this instrument is to replace an existing gauge in the aircraft, it is the installer’s responsibility to move or replace any existing instruments or components in accordance with FAA approved methods and procedures (see AC 43.13).

Interestingly, the later CGR series primary instrument manual says:

 

If the CGR-30P is to replace an existing gauge in the aircraft, it is the installer’s responsibility to

INOP or remove any duplicate instruments in the panel using FAA approved methods and procedures

(see AC 43.13).

[jetdriven]

On 1/5/2025 at 8:43 AM, LANCECASPER said:

Some people follow the STC, some don't?

I thought in IA school, they said you could deviate from the STC as long as the deviation was itself considered, minor.  I would take that as the remaining stuff left behind would then be placarded "advisory".

[Schllc]

You mention leaving some items in the panel, and I thought it worth mentioning that while it is of course more money, and I don’t mean to trivialize that, but…..

if you put the plane down and tear into the panel, you should really consider stretching and doing everything at once. It will be the most economical and efficient way to have the plane set until the next generation.  
if you do it in pieces you will pay for many things to be redone, and your plane will be down a lot longer. 
I had a functional but old panel in the plane I did my upgrades in, and I actually ended up getting close to 20k selling all the old stuff. 
Just some unsolicited advice, that is worth what you paid for it…

best of luck!

[Brian2034]

I have thought about additional upgrades for the panel but we’re trying to keep the project within a budget. Would have liked to go with dual Dynon screens but the Mooney needs other $$$ items. 
Might try to budget dual G5 but right now it’s only the MVP

[Ricky_231]

On 1/4/2025 at 4:43 PM, Marc_B said:

@Brian2034 You might post a picture of your current panel and describe what you're having done.  i.e. If you have all original panel and just adding an engine monitor you're likely to be way more space constrained and may have less "choice" of where to put your engine monitor.

Personally I like having the engine monitor in the area between the PFD and your radio stack.  It's MUCH more in your typical scan area, and you're more likely to see changes you might not have picked up if it were on the far right or far left.

 

Mine is installed (before I bought the plane) on the far right. It's fine, but if I had to do it again myself I'd put it somewhere closer, ideally on the left half of the panel. 

 

[Brian2034]

My current manifold pressure gauge is on the far! Right, that’s part of the reason for the upgrade.  I’m not sure if it was the original factory placement but it was awful to fly with. 

[M20F]

On 1/5/2025 at 8:43 AM, LANCECASPER said:

Some people follow the STC, some don't?

Don Maxwell who put mine and is a EI dealer must be one of them who apparently doesn’t. 

[DCarlton]

Since you asked, I'm personally in the right side of the panel camp.  I would never consider putting it on the left.  Too much perfect real estate for it on the right and it's still very easy to see in a Mooney.  It's a feng shui thing for me regardless of what more expert pilots might say.