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  #1  
Old 07-16-2011, 08:48 PM
n700jl n700jl is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: McCordsville IN
Posts: 277
Angry Need help! Garmin G3X install problem!

I can not get my G3X magnetometer calibrated. I have followed to install manual to a T. It just keeps telling me to turn right 30 degress and never says calibration succesful. A few times it has said GDU timeout. One thing that I noticed is that every once in a while I get a red X on the Air Data list. could this be a AHRS hardware problem? I have checked all of the connections. And everything is good. Any help would be great. You can post here or call me. 317-201-8517. My airplane is ready to fly except for this problem! Thank you!!
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Jon Hubbell
RV-6 Flying IO-320X tip up 500+hrs G3X 2004 Oshkosh Outstanding workmanship award, 2004 Sun N Fun Best Workmanship 2006 Sun N Fun Outstanding Aircraft
RV-10 Flying IO-540-C4B5X 500+hrs G3X 2011 Bronze Lindy Award Winner
"Negative Ghostrider the pattern is full"
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  #2  
Old 07-17-2011, 09:51 AM
midwest rv-10's Avatar
midwest rv-10 midwest rv-10 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pleasant Prairie,Wisconsin
Posts: 67
Default check mag connections?

Jon,
Have you verified the pinouts at the magnatometer connector? maybe a couple of wires are in the wrong location? I had to remove the wires from the connector to run the wiring for mine, don't know if you did the same but worth checking either way.
Don
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  #3  
Old 07-17-2011, 10:46 AM
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N395V N395V is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Mendon South Carolina
Posts: 1,391
Default

I had a similar problem. Kept expecting it to say something.

It is exquisitely sensitive to anything metallic or electrical.

In my case it was a 110 volt line 6 feet under the runway and then it was a seat belt buckle nearby.

1. Confirm there are no electrical devices or wiring near the plane.
2. If the problem persists then pull the magnetometer and tape it on top of the canopy or wing far from ANY ferous metal. If it calibrates then you need to find the offending item or a new locartion.

It should only take one 360 degree circle to calibrate.
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Last edited by N395V : 07-17-2011 at 10:48 AM.
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  #4  
Old 07-17-2011, 12:45 PM
n700jl n700jl is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: McCordsville IN
Posts: 277
Default Magnetomter trouble.

I did double check the pin out. The numbering on this plug is like no other that I have seen. I am guessing that the area that I am trying to calibrate in is dirty. Thanks for the reply's.
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Jon Hubbell
RV-6 Flying IO-320X tip up 500+hrs G3X 2004 Oshkosh Outstanding workmanship award, 2004 Sun N Fun Best Workmanship 2006 Sun N Fun Outstanding Aircraft
RV-10 Flying IO-540-C4B5X 500+hrs G3X 2011 Bronze Lindy Award Winner
"Negative Ghostrider the pattern is full"
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  #5  
Old 07-17-2011, 02:48 PM
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flyeyes flyeyes is offline
 
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Posts: 804
Default

A problem I had with a different system was steel rebar in the concrete hangar floor.

magnetometer calibration need to be outside, away from steel and powerlines.
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RV-8 flying
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  #6  
Old 07-17-2011, 04:22 PM
Avionics Systems Avionics Systems is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Leesburg, Virginia
Posts: 50
Default

Can't stress enough how inportant a "clean" site is. We recently had a customer with the same problem, but when he relocated off the pavement to an area of grass, magnetometer passed the first time. Also it may sound obvious but make absolutely sure that the magnetometer is pointing forward. Good luck!
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David Buckwalter
Avionics Systems, LLC.
Leesburg, VA
sales@avionikits.com 703-669-2669
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  #7  
Old 07-18-2011, 05:57 AM
n700jl n700jl is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: McCordsville IN
Posts: 277
Default In the grass

Calibrating in the grass is a great idea! After further review I think my Air Data signal is not staying valid during the calibration process. I will be calling Garmin this morning!
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Jon Hubbell
RV-6 Flying IO-320X tip up 500+hrs G3X 2004 Oshkosh Outstanding workmanship award, 2004 Sun N Fun Best Workmanship 2006 Sun N Fun Outstanding Aircraft
RV-10 Flying IO-540-C4B5X 500+hrs G3X 2011 Bronze Lindy Award Winner
"Negative Ghostrider the pattern is full"
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  #8  
Old 07-18-2011, 08:20 PM
alcladrv alcladrv is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southeast
Posts: 569
Default

When I needed to calibrate my magnetometer, I had to fly to an airport with a compass rose painted on the ramp. After two circuits of the compass rose, which had tie down anchors in amongst the compass rose, ending in no calibration, I figured I'd try a clear asphalt area of the ramp away from the compass rose.

One circle around making 30 degree turns as directed gave me a successful calibration. The moral: painted compass roses, no matter how nice looking, may or may not be usable for the magnetometer calibration.

Mike

Last edited by alcladrv : 07-18-2011 at 08:35 PM.
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  #9  
Old 07-19-2011, 07:06 AM
Avionics Systems Avionics Systems is offline
 
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Location: Leesburg, Virginia
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Default

A compass rose is not required, and in fact in our experience has shown to be frequently unsuitable. As mentioned in previous post, sometimes a clear area of the ramp works. You need to start the alignment within 5 deg. of mag. north, and the G3X system does the rest, telling you when to stop and start your turn. You should definately have the engine running.
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