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08-07-2013, 03:27 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Battle Ground
Posts: 480
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MTBF
With any new development there is an unknown MTBF. If I lose a starter cont. I can probably find one anywhere I might fly. Any analysis on MTBF you can share?
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Scott
RV-7 N818BG (flying)
Bearhawk Patrol (building)
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08-07-2013, 03:32 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: United States
Posts: 263
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I am at the point of needing to order one or will have to buy new parts to wire the old fashion way as I'm changing out my battery, wiring (will be going VP-X) and switching steam gauges to a Dynon/AFS panel.....any idea on the ETA for sellable units? 
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Robert Kramar
Gilbert, Arizona - Vans RV-6A
- Bell 47 D-1 H-13 Sioux Army/Mash Helicopter - Fully Restored and Flying!
- Vans RV-4 (being upgraded to new panel, firewall, weldments and long gear legs)
Yearly VAF dues paid to date.
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08-07-2013, 03:44 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sahrens
With any new development there is an unknown MTBF. If I lose a starter cont. I can probably find one anywhere I might fly. Any analysis on MTBF you can share?
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Ditto. Can you provide reference links to info on the technology and reliability of the components?
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08-08-2013, 09:13 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 693
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sahrens
If I lose a starter cont. I can probably find one anywhere I might fly.
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My experience is that FBOs may carry 24v parts but rarely 12v parts. So it'll likely take you as long to get a 12v starter as it will take us to ship you a replacement unit overnight.
No MTBF numbers yet, but it should be higher than the VP-X which is significantly higher than mechanical breakers.
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Marc Ausman
RV-7 980 hours, IO-390, VP-X (sold)
RV-8 (flying a friend's)
Thinking about low and slow backcountry build.
VAF Advertiser - Aircraft Wiring Guide
Book to help with experimental aircraft wiring.
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08-08-2013, 10:51 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NorCal
Posts: 565
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sahrens
If I lose a starter cont. I can probably find one anywhere I might fly.
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This brings up the larger issue when we build our experimental planes: stick with traditional equipment that may be easier to fix, or, modern equipment that must simply be replaced when it fails.
I and many others are going the latter route: glass panels, electronic ignition, and Vertical Power's electronic "buss". I thought about this some before that decision, and figured that overnight shipping of a failed part would be about as fast as trying to find a mechanic to fix a traditional piece of equipment. Further, with my mission as VFR, I could limp home with a failed glass panel, say, using an iPad as backup.
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Ralph Finch
RV-9A QB-SA
Davis, CA
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08-08-2013, 12:31 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southeast
Posts: 569
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Buggsy2
I could limp home with a failed glass panel, say, using an iPad as backup.
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Just make sure you the FAA required instruments, like a compass, airspeed indicator and alitimeter or their equivalent, for VFR flight. I doubt that an iPad qualifies.
That's why I kept those instruments as backups in my panel even with a 2 screen G3X.
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08-08-2013, 12:59 PM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alcladrv
Just make sure you the FAA required instruments, like a compass, airspeed indicator and alitimeter or their equivalent, for VFR flight. I doubt that an iPad qualifies.
That's why I kept those instruments as backups in my panel even with a 2 screen G3X.
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But none of those is actually required for flight in an experimental - at least legally.
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Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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08-08-2013, 02:03 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MCA
My experience is that FBOs may carry 24v parts but rarely 12v parts. So it'll likely take you as long to get a 12v starter as it will take us to ship you a replacement unit overnight.
No MTBF numbers yet, but it should be higher than the VP-X which is significantly higher than mechanical breakers.
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He mentioned contactors. These are widely available from stores and other hangars on the road. (I carry a spare personally.) You have any links to the critical components (solid state relays?) you're proposing to use in your new device that set you apart from conventional? How do you manage the high current load of starting? Parallel devices? I'm all about moving into new technology when I can balance the risk, performance, convenience vs. available personal resources equation.
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08-08-2013, 02:04 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NorCal
Posts: 565
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alcladrv
Just make sure you the FAA required instruments, like a compass, airspeed indicator and alitimeter or their equivalent, for VFR flight.
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A while ago I asked about this in the Glass Cockpit forum of VAF: for VFR, if you had included round gages with your glass panel, would you do it again? If you had not, do you wish you had? Most responded to the effect they weren't useful. I'm going to leave space for 3 small gages, but not install them.
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Ralph Finch
RV-9A QB-SA
Davis, CA
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08-08-2013, 03:06 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
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My own experience with user-replaceable/reparable components, compared to sealed, integrated devices is that when the new sealed can't-work-on-them stuff is available, it's often - not always - more reliable than what's been replaced.
In other words, you can't repair them but then again odds are you won't ever need to.
This experience has been more than balanced by quite a dismal experience set from being an early adopter of technology. I now prefer some service history before committing. And since I figure I'm a year or 18 months from that stage, I hope that y'all do a good rigorous job of wringing these things out for me. Kindly remember to report back and let us know.
Thanks much!
Dave
Dave
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