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-   -   Putting together a G3X system (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=145957)

SgtZim 01-24-2017 09:56 AM

panel build
 
Here's the panel being built so far:





Still mulling over switches and their locations.

I'd kind of like an extra master caution and a master warning - but would need to be able to cancel / dim them quickly at night.

sibriggs 01-24-2017 06:43 PM

Thoughts
 
I was wondering why you need the audio panel, the GTR-20 has an intercom built in with stereo.

Also, why two G5s?

gfb 01-24-2017 08:04 PM

The intercom on the GTR-20/200 is single-COM. His Audio panel will allow him to switch between the two COM units, and also the NAV audio.

wjb 01-24-2017 08:25 PM

Great info here; I'm in the process of planning out my -7 panel in G3X colors as well. It's great to get some collective intelligence.

Garmin: thanks for chiming in!

SgtZim 01-25-2017 01:31 PM

Lights
 
Another interesting option with these units is possibly a lighting bus. However, the method seems to vary between the GDU, and the non G3X boxes.

The external dimming on the G3X uses a reference voltage
The GNC has "hi/lo" pins out to a "display dimmer"
The GTN is similar to the GNC
The GMA audio panel has 2 lo pins and a hi pin
The G5s have only photocell control

The non G3X manuals have lots of warnings to not hook these up wrong, but are light on "how to". This really makes me appreciate the G3X engineers and writers 👍🏾

I don't see myself doing a lot of night IFR, but nows the time to set this up if it's worth doing.

Tips, comments?

rockwoodrv9 01-25-2017 02:08 PM

Here is my panel. Stein did the build for me and advised on what I needed. I can't wait to get it in the air.
[IMG][/IMG]


Let me know if you want details. I have a VP Sport power system.

jliltd 01-25-2017 02:28 PM

SgtZim,

I really like your panel. It's looking great.

Jim

SgtZim 01-25-2017 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwoodrv9 (Post 1144768)
Here is my panel. Stein did the build for me and advised on what I needed. I can't wait to get it in the air.
Let me know if you want details. I have a VP Sport power system.

Looks great, What is the smallish rectangle device on the right?

rockwoodrv9 01-25-2017 04:37 PM

The real small at far fight is the ELT display. To the right of the 2 screens is the radio and the AP. I have second guessed myself about a thousand times on having both screens together and then the radio on the right. I guess I will find out when I get it in the air!

Here is a better picture with the panel in the plane.

[IMG][/IMG]

SgtZim 01-28-2017 02:20 PM

update
 
I'm plugging along, making detailed lists and notes on each LRU and every connecting pin that I will use and where each one connects to. Following Bob Knuckolls' advice to "make your mistakes on paper first".

I had a question for the G3Xpert about how to connect and configure a GTX 45R transponder to the GDU. The wording on how to configure their respective serial ports was worded differently.

Steve responded:

The current G3X Installation Manual is Rev. AA and it includes all the wiring and configuration guidance you need for the GTX 45R on page 24-21. (see below)

The serial port connection from the GSU25 to the transponder is also used to control the transponder.

Let us know if you have further questions.

Thanks,

Steve

(I try to keep current on revisions, but I think this time I was just reading the wrong copy.)


Thanks to Steve and Jonathan at Garmin! They are awesome, and respond quickly to clear things up!

So, I endorse reading, taking notes, checking revisions, reading again, and asking questions.

Now for the Q and request for A section: I'm still unclear about how an external lighting bus is supposed to work. The Garmin manual says there are several commercially available dimmers but does not comment about desired or required parameters. The lighting bus is supposed to "follow" a supplied voltage to control the lights via a lighting bus HI and a LO pin on the connectors. Components that can accept 14 or 28 volt systems have wiring options to use one or the other.

I experimented today with my GMC 307 - wired power to it and tried out the lighting bus inputs - connected to my Van's supplied dimmer unit I will use for cabin area lights. The dimmer puts out between 1.12 and about 10.99 volts as you turn the pot. I wired the variable volt wire from the dimmer to the GMC 307 "lighting bus HI" pin, and grounded the "lighting bus LO" pin per directions. I did not see any response or control of the lights as I turned the pot up or down. Could be an issue using the PWM dimmer, or maybe it has to be configured in the GDU program?

I'm not really worried about it - but I'd still kind of like to get all the lights on the GMA audio panel to work - it has to have external lighting control to get power to light the text labeling. Other than this, all the other boxes seem to do a good job auto dimming from their own photocells.

Thanks again for the tips and comments!

Bruce


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