Garmin G3X Touch Dual Screen...Wow!

[Jim Ellis]

It took a few months but I just completed installation and configuration of a dual screen Garmin G3X Touch system.

This install is in an RV-7A, Slider.

I couldn't be happier!






Installation went well thanks to the great wiring harness that was built by John Stark and Jonathan Dalafave at Stark Avionics.

The system includes all the standard components:

(2) GDU 460 moving map screens
GSU 25 AHRS
GTP 59 temperature probe
GMU 22 magnetometer
GAD 29 ARINC adapter
GEA 24 engine analyzer

In addition I added:

GTN 750 nav/com/waas gps/map
GTR 20 remote com
GMA 240 audio panel
GMC 305 autopilot control
Trutrak GX Pilot (I'm using Trutrak servos)
GDL-39R remote ADS-B receiver
Advanced Flight Systems AOA Sport
GTX 23 remote transponder
ACK Model E-04 ELT
Vertical Power VP-X Sport

The labeling was done with dry transfers from Color Vu in Southlake, TX. The panel was cut by Steinair and they did an outstanding job.

The annunciator panel was my own creation using information I gathered from other Van's Air Force contributors.

I received some great help from the Garmin G3X Team when I ran into a couple of problems. How they figured out that I had two pins reversed on the CAN bus with the little bit of information I gave them on the phone is little short of a miracle. These folks are amazing!

The most difficult part of the job was figuring out where to place all the components...it was really becoming crowded behind the panel by the time I had finished. Click here and scroll down to Post #36 to see behind the panel pictures.


Here are some additional pictures of the panel details:



Toggle switches are wired to provide multiple functions described in Bob Nuckolls, "AeroElectric Connection".




The black circular socket on the bottom right is a LEMO jack for Bose headsets.
The mini toggle switch just to the right of the LEMO jack selects for mono or stereo headsets.




The dual Pmag ignitions have locking toggle switches for run and test modes. The Start switch has red LED surround lighting.




The wiring for the DPST TO/GA Switch is described in the G3X Installation Manual. The Flap switch is from DigiKey.




The annunciator panel is made from 12mm x 16mm LED display units with a clear label under the cap.




The GMC 305 autopilot controller at the bottom of the center stack is fully integrated with the G3X and the Trutrak GX autopilot.
Left and Right Aux Fuel Switches control the operation of Auxiliary Fuel Pump Relays from Aircraft Extras.




A backup battery is wired in the "AUTO" mode to disconnect from the main power bus should the main battery drop below 13 volts.



I am still learning all the new and amazing things this system can do. I just noticed today that I was seeing aircraft on the moving map screen that were flying over me on approach to DFW. And this was from inside my shop with the ADS-B antenna on the bottom of the fuselage!


This equipment is truly astounding. It's true what Arthur C. Clarke said, " Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic".

[NovaBandit]

Beautiful panel! I'm going to be ordering similar equipment in the next month or so.

One question. Isn't the GX Pilot redundant to the built in AP features of the G3X, especially when you have the GMC 305? Or is that the point?

[HSANTIBANEZ]

sorry mi ignorance. what is the clearence switch function?

Your panel is beautifull

Regards

[Jim Ellis]

Originally Posted by NovaBandit

Beautiful panel! I'm going to be ordering similar equipment in the next month or so.

One question. Isn't the GX Pilot redundant to the built in AP features of the G3X, especially when you have the GMC 305? Or is that the point?

Hi Ed,

The simple answer is that I already had the Trutrak servos installed and I was too lazy to replace the somewhat more complicated wiring for the Garmin servos. But you are correct that I gained redundant backup to the Garmin A/P control.

[RV8iator]

Originally Posted by HSANTIBANEZ

sorry mi ignorance. what is the clearence switch function?

Your panel is beautifull

Regards

Hernan, I can't answer for Jim, but in my plane I have a STBY switch that powers up the AUDIO panel, one radio and a couple other things that allows me to call for my clearance before starting and powering up all the avionics.

I bet Jim's is similar..

[Jim Ellis]

Originally Posted by HSANTIBANEZ

sorry mi ignorance. what is the clearence switch function?

Your panel is beautifull

Regards

Hi Hernan,

The Clearance Delivery Switch provides power to one Com radio only without powering up all of the other avionics. This allows you to transmit and receive clearance information before engine start.

[rockwoodrv9]

Jim,
As I start installing my G3X Touch panel, you are going to be my new best friend! I may be bugging you for pictures. Stein built it for me and it looks amazing. Now I just have to get it all installed!

Yours looks great. Nice work.

[HSANTIBANEZ]

Originally Posted by Jim Ellis

Hi Hernan,

The Clearance Delivery Switch provides power to one Com radio only without powering up all of the other avionics. This allows you to transmit and receive clearance information before engine start.

very good idea!!

[Jim Ellis]

Originally Posted by rockwoodrv9

Jim,
As I start installing my G3X Touch panel, you are going to be my new best friend! I may be bugging you for pictures. Stein built it for me and it looks amazing. Now I just have to get it all installed!

Yours looks great. Nice work.

Happy to help if I can. Just let me know what you need.

Biggest challenges are where to mount all the various components and configuring the screens. There are hundreds of options!

[g3xpert]

Jim,

The panel looks fantastic! Motivation for those of us still in the build process to carry on. And glad to hear the ADS-B receiver is working well. One of the great things about the GDL 39R if you weren't already aware, is that it is a dual frequency receiver. That means you will pick up any ADS-B Out equipped aircraft, whether they are broadcasting on 978 MHz or 1090 MHz. This is a big plus because it means you are not dependent on the ADS-B ground stations to combine both 978/1090 traffic information for you to get the 'big picture' on your display. Your G3X Touch also includes Garmin TargetTrend? technology which shows other aircraft trajectories relative to your position with a green trend line, helping you identify potential conflicts. Not to mention all the Garmin Connext capability including ADS-B traffic and weather data that can be streamed to your portable device running Garmin Pilot, and more. Magic indeed!

Thanks,
Brian