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Well Known Member
So? some quick background.
I bought an RV-6 in late 2010. Awesome plane with an O-360-A1A and Hartzell CS prop, smokin? paint job and well built (A&P second build) but a very basic ?4 pack? panel (and the turn coordinator didn?t work). Flew it for a year, and at the end of 2011 took it down for a panel upgrade.
Fast forward a bit. A bit? like 17 months. What was intended to be a leisurely 4 month, over the winter, panel replacement, ended up being a journey. But it?s done now, and I?m flying again. I have read about you guys that complete a panel re-do in a month or two, and shake my head. Mine was pretty comprehensive, but still. I take my hat off to you.
What I had?
AS, Alt, VS, non-functional turn coordinator, and steam gauges for fuel (switch to check each tank), MP, RPM, Oil temp, and CHT (rotary dial seeing one cylinder at a time). King Com and King old skool transponder.
What I have now?
Dual screen G3X, GX Pilot dual axis autopilot, GTX23 remote transponder, PAR100EX audio panel and com, and an SL-40 com. Also a Ray Allen stick grip. Throw in a g-meter, compass, and map box. I also reno?d the interior, with new leather seats and Crow 5-point harnesses with the rotary buckle.
I have 8 or 9 hours on the ?new? plane now, and looking to re-engage with the community. I thought I would share a few learnings, some specific, and some general, for the benefit of others.
First, and most obvious, is don?t underestimate the time required to rework your panel! Allow considerable time for troubleshooting. No matter how careful you are, there is a good chance you?ll have to re-connect some wires.
Before you dig into your wiring because your SL-40 won?t receive, try turning the volume up
(don?t ask me how I know).
When wiring up your Trutrak roll servo, note that you can wire it two ways. If you wire it wrong for your setup, it will try to turn you upside down when you engage it (but is easy to overpower). There is a ground test for this. I didn?t do it, but learned quickly.
If you?re using a tach pickup off a mag, make sure you install it in the proper vent port (the one closest to the drive gear). It won?t read otherwise.
Kavlico and UMA sensors are not necessarily the same. Some require 5v power, others 12v. They don?t work if you don?t have the right power.
I bought my stuff from Stein. Even after over a year, when I was into troubleshooting, the help was there, and it was good help. Revised drawings, try this? try that? etc. Half of the time Stein himself answered the phone, but was quick to pass me on to someone else (Chris? you were a huge help) when they could help me better.
I?m happy to say that after over a year, I could still fly. I had some stick time with a buddy in the interim, but no landings.
Observations on the new panel?
OMG!!! Amazing capabilities! The airframe is the same, but in some ways it feels like a whole new plane. My first time with an AP, and I like it. No long x-countries yet, but I know it will be a big advantage. XM weather is huge. Being able to look out the canopy and see a squall, and seeing that it is painted on my map, makes me feel good that weather beyond my sight is likewise accurately depicted. I was surprised at how easy it was to convert to glass. It took almost no time to adapt to the tapes for AS and Alt. Also, love the PAR100EX. Bluetooth music is fantastic, and the phone works well with surprisingly good audio. Don?t like the flip/flop on it, but otherwise it?s a good unit. Remote transponder works well. I feel no need to have panel space taken up by a transponder anymore. The G3X controls are intuitive and efficient with it. I realize that for some of you, this is all old news. Trust there are some of us who haven?t had all these tools and are astounded at them when we see them!
I?m planning an Oshkosh trip this year (work pending), and hope to meet some of you there. I?m a long time VAF frequenter, though not a prolific poster, so I ?know? many of you more than you know me. If you?re there, and see Zulu Oscar Kilo (aka ?Angel?), stop by and say Hi.
I will try to work out a before and after pic in this thread.
Thanks for listening! ☺
I bought an RV-6 in late 2010. Awesome plane with an O-360-A1A and Hartzell CS prop, smokin? paint job and well built (A&P second build) but a very basic ?4 pack? panel (and the turn coordinator didn?t work). Flew it for a year, and at the end of 2011 took it down for a panel upgrade.
Fast forward a bit. A bit? like 17 months. What was intended to be a leisurely 4 month, over the winter, panel replacement, ended up being a journey. But it?s done now, and I?m flying again. I have read about you guys that complete a panel re-do in a month or two, and shake my head. Mine was pretty comprehensive, but still. I take my hat off to you.
What I had?
AS, Alt, VS, non-functional turn coordinator, and steam gauges for fuel (switch to check each tank), MP, RPM, Oil temp, and CHT (rotary dial seeing one cylinder at a time). King Com and King old skool transponder.
What I have now?
Dual screen G3X, GX Pilot dual axis autopilot, GTX23 remote transponder, PAR100EX audio panel and com, and an SL-40 com. Also a Ray Allen stick grip. Throw in a g-meter, compass, and map box. I also reno?d the interior, with new leather seats and Crow 5-point harnesses with the rotary buckle.
I have 8 or 9 hours on the ?new? plane now, and looking to re-engage with the community. I thought I would share a few learnings, some specific, and some general, for the benefit of others.
First, and most obvious, is don?t underestimate the time required to rework your panel! Allow considerable time for troubleshooting. No matter how careful you are, there is a good chance you?ll have to re-connect some wires.
Before you dig into your wiring because your SL-40 won?t receive, try turning the volume up
(don?t ask me how I know).When wiring up your Trutrak roll servo, note that you can wire it two ways. If you wire it wrong for your setup, it will try to turn you upside down when you engage it (but is easy to overpower). There is a ground test for this. I didn?t do it, but learned quickly.
If you?re using a tach pickup off a mag, make sure you install it in the proper vent port (the one closest to the drive gear). It won?t read otherwise.
Kavlico and UMA sensors are not necessarily the same. Some require 5v power, others 12v. They don?t work if you don?t have the right power.
I bought my stuff from Stein. Even after over a year, when I was into troubleshooting, the help was there, and it was good help. Revised drawings, try this? try that? etc. Half of the time Stein himself answered the phone, but was quick to pass me on to someone else (Chris? you were a huge help) when they could help me better.
I?m happy to say that after over a year, I could still fly. I had some stick time with a buddy in the interim, but no landings.
Observations on the new panel?
OMG!!! Amazing capabilities! The airframe is the same, but in some ways it feels like a whole new plane. My first time with an AP, and I like it. No long x-countries yet, but I know it will be a big advantage. XM weather is huge. Being able to look out the canopy and see a squall, and seeing that it is painted on my map, makes me feel good that weather beyond my sight is likewise accurately depicted. I was surprised at how easy it was to convert to glass. It took almost no time to adapt to the tapes for AS and Alt. Also, love the PAR100EX. Bluetooth music is fantastic, and the phone works well with surprisingly good audio. Don?t like the flip/flop on it, but otherwise it?s a good unit. Remote transponder works well. I feel no need to have panel space taken up by a transponder anymore. The G3X controls are intuitive and efficient with it. I realize that for some of you, this is all old news. Trust there are some of us who haven?t had all these tools and are astounded at them when we see them!
I?m planning an Oshkosh trip this year (work pending), and hope to meet some of you there. I?m a long time VAF frequenter, though not a prolific poster, so I ?know? many of you more than you know me. If you?re there, and see Zulu Oscar Kilo (aka ?Angel?), stop by and say Hi.
I will try to work out a before and after pic in this thread.
Thanks for listening! ☺
