WX-500 Installation

rwtalbot · #1 09-30-2010, 10:14 AM

Just wondering if anyone has installed a WX-500 stormscope in an RV7? If so where did you mount the antenna and did it work well? I'm a bit concerned about noise from the tail strobe / autopilot servo.

Also, Does anyone have an installation manual they could provide me with the basic pinout and wiring to the antenna / GNS 430W?

Thanks
Richard

RV-7A

vic syracuse · #2 09-30-2010, 12:34 PM

I did put a WX-500 in my RV-6, and it worked wonderfully. It was down on the belly 3 bulkheads past the baggage bulkhead. I had it feeding the Chelotns. I don't think it will work with the 430, as it needs a stabilized heading feed TO it, and the 430 does not put out a heading.

Vic

rpellicciotti · #3 09-30-2010, 01:03 PM

Richard, I have a WX-500 connected to my GNS430. I am sure that I have the pin-outs and wiring diagrams at home. I will check later today and send you another message. Email me directly at rick@rocket-boys.com and I will reply with the attachment.

rwtalbot · #4 09-30-2010, 07:26 PM

Thanks Vic and Rick,

I have been able to locate the installation manual so I now understand a bit more about the requirements.

The location you mention Vic was where I was originally considering. I will try there and see how things go, although it is probably not optimum in terms of distance from the tail strobe - it is about as good as we can do in the RV.

The other option would be on the upper fuselage forward of the fin. This would probably be a good spot for me as all my antennas are on the belly and I could run the antenna wire clear of the existing wiring in the tail. Somehow I just can't bring myself to put such a big antenna on the top side though.

The jury is out as to if the 430W can provide the heading. I have an AFS 3500 connected to the 430W so assuming AFS make heading available to the 430W and the 430W can output that on the serial line to the WX-500 it may well work.

I'll report my progress when I know.

Cheers
Richard

strahler13 · #5 10-01-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic syracuse

I did put a WX-500 in my RV-6, and it worked wonderfully. It was down on the belly 3 bulkheads past the baggage bulkhead. I had it feeding the Chelotns. I don't think it will work with the 430, as it needs a stabilized heading feed TO it, and the 430 does not put out a heading.

Vic

Cheltons? Did you take them out too?

Mark

vic syracuse · #6 10-02-2010, 06:27 AM

How silly of me. I am getting my airplanes mixed up. Sorry about that. It was the last RV-10 I was speaking about. But I originally had it in the RV-6 in the location I mentioned connected to a Sandel. Mark can reply if I had a tail strobe. I think I may have had the strobes on the wing tips with the nav lights. Anyway, it worked fine in that location.

Vic

strahler13 · #7 10-02-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic syracuse

How silly of me. I am getting my airplanes mixed up. Sorry about that. It was the last RV-10 I was speaking about. But I originally had it in the RV-6 in the location I mentioned connected to a Sandel. Mark can reply if I had a tail strobe. I think I may have had the strobes on the wing tips with the nav lights. Anyway, it worked fine in that location.

Vic

No strobes in the tail in Vic's old -6. They are in the wing tips.

Mark

g3xpert · #8 10-04-2010, 01:29 PM

If the GNS 430W is given heading information in from the EFIS then the GNS 430W will send the heading information to the WX 500 stormscope on the RS 232 connection. The GNS 430W requires heading information to show the stormscope information on the moving map page otherwise the stormscope information will only be show on the dedicated stormscope page in the NAV group.

rwtalbot · #9 10-19-2010, 05:59 PM

Thanks Tim,

I did the install on the weekend. The AFS 3500 + ARINC does feed heading to the WX-500 correctly, so the unit is fully functional.

I have installed the antenna on the belly, just forward of the HS. I looked at an install on a C182 and noted they installed just off centreline in order to make the antenna base more rigid, so that is what I did. The control box is mounted horizontally in the first bulkhead behind the baggage compartment cover and well clear of the elevator push rod. I did not skin map the aircraft due to the difficulties and costs of having that done here in Australia.

At the moment I have some interference from the Whelen tail strobe (even though the antenna is over 5ft clear of the strobe and power supplies as specified in the installation manual. I need to check if the interference is coming from the electrical system, antenna cable or the globe itself.

Also, my rear Nav light is grounded to the tail, rather than running back to the ground block on the firewall. I noted when I switched the nav lights on and off that a strike or two was detected. I believe this is due to the WX-500 antenna being located in the ground return path. I will move the ground wire location forward of the control box and I am sure that will cure it.

Hope this is helpful to someone.

Cheers
Richard

ALMARTON · #10 11-05-2014, 10:51 AM

Hi folks;

I'm building a RV7A with a G3X GDU 460 touch.

I plan to install also a WX-500 Stormscope.

I believe there isn't yet support to integrate WX-500 with the G3X touch.

I think GTN 750 / 650 are both too much expensive to be mostly used as interface for the stormscope.

So I am looking for alternative solutions and suggestions.

Is there any cost effective solution from Garmin or other for interfacing with WX500 ?

Another thing... Does anyone knows a nice - color slave display - for WX500

If so please provide display's names or links for princing info...

Many thanks in advance.