Panel Upgrade Progress

[Pat Hatch]

Slowly grinding my way to the end of this project. All wiring is done, final assembly in process. Next step is installing boxes and the configuration and calibration process, but I have a trip up north for the coming week, so, alas, it will have to wait until the following week. I began the project on June 23rd so two months to here and my target completion date (first flight) is September 1st. Actually, I am still waiting for the GDL 39R to be delivered which should be while I'm gone, so that will work out well. It's all wired and provisioned for, so it will be just a matter of making the connector and bolting it in. My only complaint is that I could have used an air conditioned hangar!



Oh yeah, I did flip on both masters and all seems OK to this point. Also was able to put a charger on both batteries all day (I used two dual-purpose cigarette lighters on the lower right for aux power and charging the batteries).

[turbo]

still waiting your arrival in the north east.

[Pat Hatch]

I got the panel lit up yesterday and today started the configuration and calibration process.



I found a wiring mistake with help from Steve at Garmin. The second ADHRS gets a jumper to make it number 2 and I did it incorrectly. I jumped pins 4 and 5 of the 9-pin connector when it should have been on the 15-pin connector, so I had two ADHRS fighting to be number one. Once I moved the jumper over to the proper connector everything was normal. This in spite of triple-checking every pin position. I still made a mistake. Oh well, if this is the only one, I'll be happy.

Nice troubleshooting job, Steve. Thanks!

[Pat Hatch]

Well, I guess it's time for the before-and-after photos. Today I officially declared the panel done (well, it's never done, still have to install the GDL 39R in the morning). But the configuration and calibration are done and the engine has been run, magnetometer calibrated on the compass rose. Here's the before (started the project on June 23rd):



And this is the completed panel with the interior back in. Probably will fly on Saturday and I'll post a writeup on the new GMC 305 autopilot:



Here are a couple more:

[N941WR]

Nice upgrade Pat! I'll call you when I get ready to upgrade mine in a few years!

[RV6Bldr]

Wow Pat!

What a nice panel. Be careful when you fly with this new panel, it's going to be hard to see whats going on outside, while looking @ that new panel!

Lloyd

[Steve Melton]

your panel is boardering on artwork!

[johntuck]

Fall is a great time to check out East TN again! No Hurricanes! Let me know if you are going to be flying through!

[Pat Hatch]

Thanks for all the positive comments, guys!

I flew for an hour today and all I can say is, WOW!. Here are some quick observations...

Autopilot is very solid. Just like on the big planes. Altitude hold was perfect, no pitch oscillations at all. VNAV worked great; being able to program a crossing restriction is a great new feature. Didn't have time to do a coupled approach, maybe next flight. Auto trim worked as advertised. I gave it a good workout, I think I tried to break it but couldn't. I'm very impressed with this autopilot!

The traffic and weather returns were amazing! Great coverage here in Florida and the GDL39R was working perfectly.

Too much to absorb in one hour.

Next project is to get the fuel quantity calibration done and then the angle-of-attack calibration in flight.

All in all, I?m very pleased with the new panel! Ecstatic might be a better word.

[turbo]

Congrats on the completion of the master piece. One of the nicest I have seen in a long time. Enjoy it. Watch out for those slippery wet wings.