G3X Installation/Wiring
 

I did a search on CAN Bus and a few other keywords but didn't find a install/wiring thread, but if there is one, please point me that direction. Here is one thread I found, which helps.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?t=110252

I am working on the wiring portion of my G3X install and would love to see some more examples of the CAN Bus solution people are using. I did see the thread re the can bus and servos and that helped a bit.

I dont have a problem doing the way I have seen, using solder joints and heat shrink, but I sort of expected to see some recommendations that used a connector. It looks like the signal lines are all nice and neat from point to point using robust connectors and then we get to the CAN bus and just slap that together.

Wouldn't it be useful to at least use pins and sockets and then heat shrink them, so future expansion might only require undoing the heat shrink, and inserting a new device?

Sorry for the ramble, and please don't get me wrong, it is just my impression at this point.

I would really like to see some pictures of this part of the panel wiring.

Jim D

On the MGL iEFIS system the 2 CAN busses are all on connectors. Even the terminator has it's connector. That would make much more sense for expansion and changes. http://www.mglavionics.co.za/iEFIS.htm

Connector Pin Question
 

I was about to put the sockets on the wires of the config module but they don't look right to me. Remember I only play an avionics technician on TV.

Here is a photo of the pins (sockets). The config module came with five connectors. I think they are special for the smaller wire size on the little plastic plug. But it looks to me like the witness hole is on the wrong end of the pin?:mad: the plain brass colored ones came with the config module. The colored stripe ones came with the backshell kit that came with the 450. If I were to try and flip the pins end for end, the crimp wire size would be too big and the socket would be too small to fit the back of the 450 display. And, the pins would not lock into the connector like they should.



I suspect I will use them, but am I looking at this wrong or something? Why does it seem the witness hole is on the wrong end?

Arg...

Jim

Look closer....
 

I studied this under my lighted mag lamp and there are TWO witness holes on these five connectors! The wire side hole is really small! What is the hole on the socket end that plugs into the display used for?

Jim

Config module
 

Though I never found anything in the manual the called out those pins specifically, they were used for the config module in my installation, and nothing has smoked yet.

Before and Progress Pictures
 

Here is a before and during pictures of my upgrade.

Hello Jim,

As shown on page 1-14 of the G3X Installation Manual (and other places), the 4 wire harness used for the configuration module uses the 336-00022-01 size 20 contact (for use with 28 AWG wire) instead of the 336-00022-02 or 336-00094-00 size contacts used with 22 AWG wire in the other GDU connector pins.

For others reading this, the 336-00022-01 configuration module contacts are the all gold contacts shown in Jim's picture. The wire inserts into the round end with the smaller hole. The other end with the larger hole also has a flat near the end which is where the spring contact lives to make this female pin snug on the male pin in the mating connector.

While we are discussing configuration module wiring, let's talk about the pin positioner used in the Daniels AFM8 crimp tool. The installation manual calls out a Positronic 9502-5 positioner, but you may also use the Daniels K13-1 positioner used with all the other standard density pins if you set the "SEL. NO." to 6 on the crimp tool.



Thanks,
Steve

Work Light
 

This flex LED clamp on light works so well I had to share. Maybe everybody has already figured this out but I have never used a work light that was this nice. It positions well, has good light output, doesn't get hot, clamps on easily and stays put. Much better than holding a small flashlight in my mouth or getting burned with a standard drop light.

I have four of them around the shop at home, got them at Lowes

PFD vs MFD.
 

I am studying figure 2-2 the G3X interconnect drawing. Initially I am installing only one GDU 450. But, I will likely add a second screen in the future and add in the EIS box at that time.

Is my single GDU a PFD or an MFD. Can any GDU 45x be either a PFD or MFD? Or, is there some device or triggering event or something that makes this distinction?

I expect to use the single screen as my flight display, replacing steam flight instruments as well as splitting the screen and showing the moving map.

More...as I sit here I see that since I have the GDL39R that it uses RS232 and that is shown going to the GDU on the example which is named as a MFD.

Here is the page I'm looking at...

Hello Jim,

With your single-display G3X Touch system, you will see flight instruments, engine instruments, and a moving map all one one screen, as per the examples shown in the G3X Touch pilot's guide.

If you study Figure 2-2 in the current G3X installation manual (rev U) you will see that up to four displays are supported in a G3X Touch system, but the MFD1, MFD2, and PFD2 displays are all marked "optional". In other words, in any G3X Touch system, the PFD1 display is always required. In a single-screen G3X Touch system, the one and only display will be PFD1. This is also discussed in section 22.3.6.

You will use the pins on the GDU 45x's P4502 connector to tell your display which role it is to play in your system, as is described in section 22.3.6. For your single-display installation, you will connect pin 10 to ground and leave pin 9 open.

- Matt