Hub avionics wiring system.

[shuttle]

It is not difficult to "roll your own" wiring hub. Here is mine. A dumb backplane as mentioned above.



The advantage is that as you built it you are well placed to adjust it if your needs change. Plus it is so much cheaper.
I made a simple box shape out of aluminium and then decided to pretty up the front panel by designing and having a nice engraved front panel cut for it.
I added a few spares for future expansion.



Steve

[rv9av8tr]

The "issue" for most of us is figuring out the interconnections, which when it comes to data/signal lines it's a nightmare for all but a trained and experienced electrician.
I had Pacific Coast Avionics do the interconnections for just my audio panel and nav/com and that cost $900. The pigtails were way too long so have coils behind my panel. I wired the rest of the panel.

If I were to do it over again, I'd do the hub system. Tell them what you have and it's plug and play.

[AltonD]

Originally Posted by rv9av8tr

The "issue" for most of us is figuring out the interconnections, which when it comes to data/signal lines it's a nightmare for all but a trained and experienced electrician.
I had Pacific Coast Avionics do the interconnections for just my audio panel and nav/com and that cost $900. The pigtails were way too long so have coils behind my panel. I wired the rest of the panel.

If I were to do it over again, I'd do the hub system. Tell them what you have and it's plug and play.

Ditto here. If I were to do it again, OR make a major panel upgrade, I am going back with the pro-hub.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by shuttle

It is not difficult to "roll your own" wiring hub. Here is mine. A dumb backplane as mentioned above.



The advantage is that as you built it you are well placed to adjust it if your needs change. Plus it is so much cheaper.
I made a simple box shape out of aluminium and then decided to pretty up the front panel by designing and having a nice engraved front panel cut for it.
I added a few spares for future expansion.



Steve

I decided on a simpler version of Steves. With modern stuff data wires in D-Sub connectors are relatively easy to add. Serial data is only a couple of wires to add/subtract now.

I just made a standard format for in-line D-Sub plug/sockets for two Comm radios and a GPS unit. This will allow an easy path to a future Garmin GTN 950 when the price drops...

[bobrath]

Using both Vertical Power VP200 system and FastStack. Not flying just yet but have many hours of trouble-free power-on time. Superb support and response from both.

[Allanf]

Hi Steve
Just in the process of installing twin screen Skyview system. Very interested in your design for the wiring hub. Could you tell me where you had the front panel made please

[RV7Guy]

I have used the Approach Systems hub in my first 7 and have installed it in my second one as well. I really like the simplicity.

My only recommendation to potential users is when ordering, order long power and ground wires. They come out of the connector at the device NOT the hub. You have power and ground wires everywhere. With the long wires you can tie them onto the cable and run them back to the hub as a central starting point for all of the power and grounds. Much easier than finding a path for each one from the device.

When coupled with the Vertical Power VP-X it doesn't get much easier.

[LyleM]

Since I started this thread, and it seems to have gotten legs, I guess I will tell you what I did. After reading the replies and doing some research. I went with the Pro-X Hub from Approach Fast Stack for data and I went with the VP-X Pro from Vertical Power for power. I still don?t have anything from the firewall forward on my -8, but from the firewall back, I have it done. Since my electrical savvy is not good and the panel is all glass, I needed something relatively easy to put together, but robust also. I have powered the system up several times including exterior lights and there was no smoke or sparks. I had Tim with Approach make up the cables that look very professionally done. The support from both companies is excellent. For those that decide to go with the Approach Hub system, I found it extremely important to take some old TV coax cable to use to find out exactly how long each cable needs to be before you have Tim make up the cables. I wouldn?t say going with these 2 systems makes the electrical system plug and play, but it sure makes the electrical system a quick build. If I had it all to do again, it would be a no brainer.

[N804RV]

Originally Posted by mike newall

After having 2 airplanes wired by 'avionics' people and had problems, we used the Approach Systems Fast stack for our 7.

Garmin 327,430, King COM,Garmin Txp plus Digitrak.

Plugged everything in, switched on, it worked - very happy indeed and about the same price as getting someone in.

Work quality varies greatly. An "avionics" person who just simply uses solid work practices and the proper tools will put out a quality product.

People who don't follow tool manufacturers' instructions or acceptable practices create a lot of problems.

I recommend, if you work in the aviation field, go look at the backside of a circuit breaker panel on a Boeing product. Go down and look in the avionics bay.

You don't have to be an "avionics" guy to do a good job yourself. You just need to have a solid plan, use acceptable practices, and use the proper tools correctly.

The hub system is throwing extra money and complexity at a problem that just doesn't need to exist.

I like the idea of the Vertical Power system. From what I've seen, its an exceptional product line that adds real value, for a price.

But, you can get quality results yourself, doing it old-school. And, you can save money and weight in the process.

I've wired a couple of IFR panel upgrades on some older flying club aircraft. The learning curve (even for an old "avionics" guy) was steep at first. But, its doable.

[vlittle]

I used this for the interconnection of all my serial ports to various instruments and avionics in my Harmon Rocket. Perfect for a SkyView installation that needs bussed serial ports.



I also used this, which Dynon has now shamelessly copied.



These are open hardware devices from here.

I recently gave Dynon and Pacific Coast Avionics some more of my money and added a second SkyView screen to my panel. The only wiring I had to add was power and ground connections to the SV. I just attached a 25 pin connector to the SV harness ends and plugged into into the 25-pin bus, with a prefabricated SV Net connector plugged into the 9-pin bus.

For the do it yourself folks, this solution just needs a bunch of d-sub connector shells and crimp pins (Steinair has the best deal on these) and a barrel crimp tool.

Cheers,