6-pin LEMO headset plug

[rcarsey]

Newer -iS models have power leads going to the headset jacks as part of the standard wiring harness that Stein builds for us.

The KAI mentions this by basically saying hey there?s extra power leads, so if you want to install a 6-pin jack for a Bose-type headset, go for it.

Question for the group is .. should I still wire up the conventional jacks as well? Will it introduce unnecessary noise? Should I just repurpose one of the two jack holes? (the LEMO hole is 14mm with two flat sides of 12mm ? bigger than the existing holes)

[RV6_flyer]

I have used ANR headsets in my RV-6 for 20+ years. Three or four years ago, I added LEMO jack for Lightspeed PFX as they used up batteries fast. (Battery life was less than 1/2 what other ANR headsets were. I added LEMO jacks so that I could get rid of the batteries. Shortly there after, I changed to a different brand of ANR headsets.

After adding the LEMO jack, I wonder why I did not do this sooner. Most ANR headsets (other than Lightspeed) with LEMO plugs still will work with batteries and an adapter in other GA aircraft with only the "standard" GA jacks.

The addition of the LEMO jack to the "standard" GA jacks created NO noise and I nor any passenger have been able to notice any change in the Bose A20 headsets.

My recommendation is to leave the standard GA jacks just in case someone else wants to use some other kind of headset and does not have an adapter cable. At the present time, I am planning on have both GA and LEMO jacks in my RV-8 under construction.

[Bob Y]

I added LEMOs to my iS too. Couple of my experiences I?ll share. Make the provisions in the harness before you install it. Much easier to do with the harness on the bench than in the plane. I drilled small holes in the GA jacks where the leads were soldered on rather than try to break into the harness wires. Also, there is a stiffener that runs under the seat ramp where the jacks are installed. Had I not looked under the seat ramp and blindly added the hole for the LEMOs behind the GA jacks as suggested in the KAIs, the back of the LEMOs would have run into the stiffener. Instead, I used the forward GA jack hole for the LEMOs, after some filing to accommodate the LEMO?s slightly oblong diameter, and drilled a hole for the other GA jack where Van?s indicated mounting the LEMOs. Just check your physical condition with your LEMOs before drilling. Mine were the Bose LEMO jacks. Just too long to work as Van?s suggested. And because the holes are different for the GA vs. LEMO, you can?t easily decide to swap the GA for the LEMO after you install the LEMO. Just measure twice and drill once.

[RViter]

Ditto Sobek, I added a LEMO to the Co-pilot side, and left the GA plugs. That allows both for the passenger. Haven't added LEMO to the Pilot side (yet) but would be doing that configuration in any new panel.

No interference or noise issues when properly wired per specs. Having to change batteries in the GA headset, when the ANR fails from dead batteries, is frustrating and distracting. (Which pocket did I put those spare AA"s in?)

[rvsxer]

At SteinAir we wire all 3 jacks together at each station if the customer wants both types, and the only extra wire is the power lead for the ANR headsets.

[rongawer]

I didn't bother installing the regular mic and phone jacks, but put LEMO plugs on both sides. I have two sets of Bose headsets and just keep the second one available in the plane, and with over 500 hours now, it's not been an issue.

Noting that I, and most folks, prefer ANR headsets, I doubt I'll ever install standard jacks again. As an option, you can buy an adapter for 6-pin to 2-jack plugs from Sporty's, and I'm sure other places, if you really want to keep an option open for someone's standard headset.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by RV6_flyer

My recommendation is to leave the standard GA jacks just in case someone else wants to use some other kind of headset and does not have an adapter cable. At the present time, I am planning on have both GA and LEMO jacks in my RV-8 under construction.

The easier solution (and a lot cleaner on the panel) would be to carry an adapter cable of your own. The Lemo to GA adapter is only 6" long and could live in the passenger side pocket. I'd rather do that than wire two sets of jacks.

[Bob Y]

In the case of the 12iS, dual GA jacks come already soldered to the wire harness, it?s simply a matter of adding the LEMO to the harness vs. removing the GA jacks. Plus, the seat ramps where the jacks are installed are pre drilled for the two GA jacks, so installing only the LEMO would leave an open hole. I would also assume that removing the GA jacks from the prewired harness might technically invalidate E-LSA certification, if that?s one?s certification objective.

[rcarsey]

Thanks for all the input guys.

I will install the LEMO plugs in addition to the legacy plugs. I didn't notice that the 12iS electrical schematic (as found on the Van's website) had a section addressing the wiring (lower-right corner of Page 3).

It basically says install in-line with, and 1 inch behind the existing jacks. The wires are 22-gauge (which is what the LEMO install kit from Bose uses) and the length is 6". And to connect/solder the leads onto the mic/headphone jack's tabs.

I assume the headset's power pin uses the headset or mic ground to complete the circuit, as there's no dedicated pin for the power ground.

[Bob Y]

The black wire coming from the Bose LEMO is the power ground. It needs to be tied to the airframe ground to complete the power circuit.