Garmin Avionics Cutout in Instrument Panel

[Pmerems]

Gents,

Today I cut my RV-7A instrument panel for my Avionics stack. My stack consists of a Garmin GTX 327/SL40 and AirGizmo's GPS 196/296/396/496 mount.

I carefully measured the mounting trays and searched the web for some installation info on the GTX 327. The installation manual is not included with the transponder (costs extra). I found the installation manual online and I found the page that contained the panel cutout/mounting rail spacing for the unit.

The SL40 tray is 6.25" wide and the GTX 327 tray appears to be a bit wider. The reason I wanted to find the printed information was to verify the actual dimension which is 6.30".

I then cut my opening to 6.30" and spaced the mount rails the same. This means 1/32" spacers are used on each side of the SL40 and the AirGizmo's mount to fill the gap between the items and the rail (6.30"-6.25")/2.

After temporarily installing the avionics in the trays You can see the gap between the SL40/AirGizmo's mount and the mounting rail.

I then realized that the bezel width of the GTX 327 is only 6.25" and I could had done things a little differently. If I were to do it again I would I would cut the panel cutout to 6.25" wide and install the mounting rails at 6.30" in width. This would have hid the gap between the SL40/AirGizmo's mount and the mounting rail.

I am seriously thinking about making a new instrument panel due to these gaps.


Paul
RV-7A (Finishing Kit)

[RV7Guy]

Paul,

The radios have a edge on the face when you get them docked you won't notice the space.

The other issue is the depths are not the same. If you lined up the face of the trays the SL40 will sit back approx 3/32" from the true Garmin stuff.

This happened to me with my full Garmin stack and an SL40. Barely noticeable however. I've pointed it to people but they hadn't noticed it.

Proceed on!!!

[lrfrey]

That's funny... I just cut my hole for basicly the same avionics yesterday (SL/30 and GTX 327). Same issue, the SL/30 has space around it. I havn't slipped the radios in yet but my plan is to take up the slop with a "shim" riveted to the angle. It might show but darn if I'm cutting a whole new panel!

If it really shows or really bothers you, consider making the radio stack section of the panel removable and just re-do that part.

The Garmins are really nice units but fit wise and instructions wise they suck!

Larry

[Pmerems]

Gents,

I bought my avionics from Stark Avionics and spoke with Tony extensively. He mentioned that the Garmin International products (GTX 327) require the 6.30" spacing between the rails and the Garmin SL40 (which is formally UPS/Apollo) requires a 6.25" width.

It appears that Garmin International (new products) have selected a 6.30" tray width for their products. But the older "acquired" UPS/Apollo avionics have trays that are 6.25" wide.

Once again, you can cut the panel to 6.25" width and space the tray rails to 6.30" and everything should be fine.

Hindsight is always 20/20

Your milage my vary...................


Paul

RV-7A (finishing kit)

[lrfrey]

Just an update, I put an .020 shim on each side of thre SL30 tray, riveted it onto the side angle on the panel. I posiitioned it flush with the fwd edge of the panel. Once painted it will show very little. Sure wish the bezels overlaped the panel cutout, would look much nicer.

Wonder how the Dynon units fit, I think they overlap the cutout slightly. Anyone know for sure?

Larry

[tony]

Hey all. Tony From Stark Avionics here. As far as I am aware or have experience with, Garmin International units are the ONLY units that have trays that are slightly wider than what anybody else uses. I have no idea why. I have a lot of of experience making panels myself and setting up new avionics stacks on them. The best way, in my experience, to do this is to wait until you have all the trays before making the cut for your radio stack.

I would get all of the trays together in the order I wanted using "Clecos" and then tape them all together. Then, I would lay those trays on the back of the panel and mark my line around them. I would then make the cut. This way, there will be no width or depth issues to be concerned with at all. Every new stack these days seems to include at least one Garmin International unit like the Gtx-327 or some other. Yes, there will be a little gap in everything else on the sides because of this wider Garmin International tray. But it is truly not enough to make any visual difference once the units are installed in the panel.

I hope this helps. I've done it a few different ways and what's mentioned above is the way that I settled on over the years.


tony