No turning back now!

[Brian2034]

Finally getting around to starting the MVP 50 install

Spent a couple days removing the unneeded instruments and 50 years of unused wiring and garbage.

There’s no turning back now

Also moving the number 2 nav/com and transponder from the right side to the center radio stack.

[AJ88V]

Very cool.  Amazing how many things one modern engine monitor can replace.

Good luck!

[Fritz1]

Monitor is in my future, how did you decide between the MVP and the large JPI, think the large one is called the 930

[Brian2034]

Yes, even though you read the information on the engine monitor about what it can replace and you sit in the plane and visualize. Until you start removing stuff you don’t realize how much is removed!

[Brian2034]

5 minutes ago, Fritz1 said:

Monitor is in my future, how did you decide between the MVP and the large JPI, think the large one is called the 930

From what I remember when I was reviewing both the MVP and the JPI I think the JPI does have a slightly larger screen. But from the feedback I read through on this site and other sites it seemed like the majority where in favour of the MVP, when I spoke with both companies EI gave me a better vibe.
Their customer service through emails was outstanding!
While I was working  through the forms they send you to fill out, I would email with questions and the response was almost instantaneous! If I called I would always reach someone who could answer my questions and usually it was the same person each time.
When I submitted the forms, I received a response within a hour or two with additional questions. I’m not sure how large a company EI. is or how many employees they have but it’s nice feeling to speak to a familiar voice when you have questions or concerns.

The size of the screen was always a question for me, not having enough screen size to display all the information at once and or it being to small to see easily.
But when you actually hold the monitor up in your own plane and see how large it is compared to the original gages I think there should be no issues with either the MVP or the JPI and their screen size.

[Brian2034]

19 minutes ago, Brian2034 said:

From what I remember when I was reviewing both the MVP and the JPI I think the JPI does have a slightly larger screen. But from the feedback I read through on this site and other sites it seemed like the majority where in favour of the MVP, when I spoke with both companies EI gave me a better vibe.
Their customer service through emails was outstanding!
While I was working  through the forms they send you to fill out, I would email with questions and the response was almost instantaneous! If I called I would always reach someone who could answer my questions and usually it was the same person each time.
When I submitted the forms, I received a response within a hour or two with additional questions. I’m not sure how large a company EI. is or how many employees they have but it’s nice feeling to speak to a familiar voice when you have questions or concerns.

The size of the screen was always a question for me, not having enough screen size to display all the information at once and or it being to small to see easily.
But when you actually hold the monitor up in your own plane and see how large it is compared to the original gages I think there should be no issues with either the MVP or the JPI and their screen size.

Thinking back when I ordered the MVP the list price was  better then the JPI 930 and also EI came out with a $1000 dollar rebate which sealed the deal!

[Fritz1]

Thank you Brian, that makes it clearer already, my thinking was that the JPI was the more established unit, but the MVP 50 has more programming options, I have a JPI 700, only downside of the JPI was that the alarms are fixed, so you cannot get rid of any, the only limit that I might be bumping against is the rpm limit of 2575 now and then, maybe irrelevant, will talk to my installer, see what he thinks. -Fritz

[Brian2034]

No problem 

So far EI has been great but I’m sure JPI are the same. Like I said both companies units looked great. I really don’t know the main reason for going with the EI unit other than gut feeling from what I could find from others posts on this and other forums.

My plane needed an upgrade and I believe if your on a budget the engine monitor should be your first choice. 

[Echo]

Putting the old adage "It's never too late" to the test here.  

[Brian2034]

23 hours ago, Brian2034 said:

Finally getting around to starting the MVP 50 install

Spent a couple days removing the unneeded instruments and 50 years of unused wiring and garbage.

There’s no turning back now

Also moving the number 2 nav/com and transponder from the right side to the center radio stack.

I’ve looked through the download section and the CAD drawings I’ve found look like they are cut around the yoke shaft. Why are they leaving the original piece of the panel around the yoke? 
 

[Yetti]

2 hours ago, Brian2034 said:

I’ve looked through the download section and the CAD drawings I’ve found look like they are cut around the yoke shaft. Why are they leaving the original piece of the panel around the yoke? 
 

Because the lower support behind the panel is below the yoke shaft. But cutting a slot is the way to go.

Edited January 26 by Yetti

[Brian2034]

The “lower support” in my 63 C is round tubing that goes from the co-pilot side fuselage cage to the pilot side.

The instrument panel is through bolted to the tubing at the bottom of the panel and around the windscreen it’s attached to an aluminum flange with screws and nuts. The yoke bearing plate is mounted to the instrument panel also with screws and nuts. Why cut a slot in a new panel around the yoke when you can replace the complete right side instrument panel with the yoke mount included. Same as the factory panel less the 50 plus years of holes hacked in it???

 

[Brian2034]

Does anyone have a Cad or Solid Works file for the instrument panel?
Been through the download section and didn’t find anything, might have missed it?

[carusoam]

15 minutes ago, Brian2034 said:

Does anyone have a Cad or Solid Works file for the instrument panel?
Been through the download section and didn’t find anything, might have missed it?

A few years ago…

there was a sheet metal shop around here that would share their drawings and cut the panel for you…

they had some Mooney standards on their website…

as far as JPI vs. EI go…

JPI was first, and has a lot of early adopters… trying to get questions answered is near impossible…

EI has a presence here… getting questions answered… it is easy to know who to ask.

neither is bad… just one company is better than the other…

 

also consider the Garmin engine monitor… it is highly integrated including flight recording attributes… if you are a big G fan…

 

Best regards,

-a-

[Brian2034]

Already have the MVP sitting on the bench

 I don’t want to start from scratch on the panel, if I can get a Cad file for the basic panel shape it definitely would speed up the process.

[Pictreed]

At one time LASAR was sending out an instrument panel sketch, I think I have one for the '65 E but it's the left side. I'll look through my files and see if I can find it. Maybe I can scan it and see if it fits yours. If that works I can put it on CAD.

I need to upgrade my JPI 700 too. I was thinking of doing the same thing to get rid of all the original gauges in my panel (which might actually still be worth selling). I've heard some guys say they love the EI units. It would be worth looking into for me to go the same route.

[Pinecone]

On my Mooney, I went with integrated Garmin EIS.  But even now, I prefer the display of the JPI (had an 830 in the plane before).  But the Garmin is fine.

For my CAP-10, since several instruments were questionable, I wanted a digital primary.  After discussions with my A&P he is installing a Garmin GI-275.  Which is another option for Mooneys.  Nice thing is it fits in the space of a standard 3 1/8 cutout.

The JPIs fit in the hole, but the box and display are larger.

[Brian2034]

Okay, so the panel is coming along but I have an issue!

VOR or no VOR

I would like to upgrade the pilot flight instruments sometime in the future ie. G5 , AV30 or Garmin but it also may not happen at all $$$.

So should I keep the VOR and punch a hole in my nice new panel or leave it out.

[Bob E]

That VOR has a glideslope.  I'd recommend keeping it, especially since it doesn't involve buying new equipment. I assume you have the panel space. (I have an EDM engine monitor, a GPS 400W, two G5's, and two KX-155's (one with glideslope).  I like having the VORs and definitely like having the glideslope.)

VORs and glideslopes aren't going away any time soon.  It's good to avoid dependence on single form of navigation. 

[Brian2034]

No glideslope

New co-pilot panel has plenty of space (see attached image)

Only other item I’m waiting on is a usb charger port for the panel

[Brian2034]

Also, went the old fashion way and decided to cut the panel manually!
 

[Bob E]

I guess I'd still recommend keeping the VOR even without a glideslope, if you have panel space.  Especialy if you have a nav-com radio that's driving it.

USB charger port is a great addition. If you use one or more iPads, they'll always be fully charged when you're flying.

If you retain the cigarette lighter receptacle, here's a great little carbon monoxide detector; I've had mine for several years: https://www.amazon.com/Multi-Function-Monoxide-Detector-Charger-Adapter/dp/B07GH3612F/ref=sr_1_4_sspa

[Brian2034]

Good idea for the cigarette lighter/ carbon monoxide detector unfortunately I removed the cigarette lighter from the panel and opted for a multi usb port for charging. 
 

 

 

[Pinecone]

With people pulling older radios for new, I would look to see if you can get the same radio, but with glideslope for a low price.

[gwav8or]

I personally like having the option of an analog backup.  When I did my panel upgrade, I purposefully kept my kx-155 with GS and had it refurbished just so I could keep the VOR/LOC/GS functionality.  I may never need it but it's a little peace of mind just having it.