Efis one flying update.

[glenmthompson]

To those who have hashed it out with me, in this forum during our EXTREMELY difficult RV10 E-1 installation, and others concerning throwing thousands of dollars at BMA, please note the following:
This unit is installed in RV 10 number 15 to fly. I did 95% of the install for my friend, and the archives will show all our tribulations from no jumpers, to inop boards, to horribly misleading and incorrect and information missing manual, to accusations from BMA. Here are my notes after 13 hrs of flight testing:

**** The previously forum discussed "jittering" is worse inflight. The numbers in the heading compass jump around continuosly, and heading "jitters" +/- 1 deg while holding constant heading.
****The Tach is unusable below 1200 RPM. Calibrations can not fix, even though we calibrated with handheld down to 500 RPM.
**** When HSI, attitude display (without 3D terrain enabled I might add) and terrain is displayed, the heading updates about 4 times per second as well as the terrain display. This equates to a VERY "steppy" heading, attitude and map display. Also on the map page, the terrain displays, ie. airport names and towers for example, jump around continuously. Some have defended BMA saying that this is a high demand display setting, but is this not what everybody would like to see in a $19,000 set up while flying?
****Still unable to get any axis of the autopilot to engage. We got the typical BMA response so far to change the gain and check the wires. Wireing today checked good and gain change offers no help so far. BMA has promised, as they always do actually, to "get us up and running".
****Ammeter is unreliable and gives constant alarms with the great variation in readings.
**** CHT only reads above 230 deg.
**** Oil pressure will occasionally jump around during radio transmit.
****BMA has suggested that we sheild affected wires, even though the harnesses supplied by them (very expensive) were not delivered shielded.

Now PLEASE, those who I have now just enraged who think I am trying to hammer BMA, please note that overall I am very impressed with this unit. I am horribly disillusioned though, with the manual, INITIAL factory support, and their misinformation giving order dept. Those who own BMA or read this forum know her name.
I am merely giving my observations and perceptions of a VERY expensive, high tech, and actually very impressive unit. I am trying to, in my own way to inform those considering buying this unit, on the less than flattering aspects of BMA and specifically the E-1. BMA supporters and the company itself would never bring the above into a public forum. I have, and sincerely hope that each and every one of the above items can be corrected in this and every future BMA unit.
BMA recommends the extremely knowledgable "Bob" to install their untis for $1500 plus airfare. Listen folks, unless you do this stuff every day, this is worth every penny. I am not a novice around avionics, and had a horrific time. I can now probably do another in half the time, due to my experience, even with the horrible, manuals.
As a final note, the owner of this plane is extremely impressed with the way his panel looks and the displays, and overall with the E-1. He says I am being too "anal". He is in 100% agreement with me though, of how horrible the installation went. (As a reminder, I received a refund for my lite after waiting 3 months after the promised delivery date, while others received theirs while ordering theirs well after me, ...another story) My friend says I am being too "anal", perhaps, but for anybody considereing buying this unit, I will be more than happy to speak with them or even send them video of some of the above inflight.
I am also extremely open to objective comments and sincerely hope this forum is helpfull to every one of us.
Glen
561-670-6095

[mark manda]

I am trying to figure out how to install an inspection plate. I absolutely didn't want my top deck with camlocs or a plate but you know how tough it is to make mods to the CPU....

On my first engine start two known "in ops". No tach, still needs calibrating; erratic amp readings. Amp gauge rewired so that power doesn't go thru the BMA. If I had the top deck in place; big repair. and haven't had a second engine run to verify problem is fixed.

I wanted an emer. hatch with studs sticking down that I access from under the panel ( so no access from outside plane) but I can't think of a way yet. Didn't want a piano hinge.

thanks for the input.

(thanks gil in AZ)

[glenmthompson]

Originally Posted by mark manda

I am trying to figure out how to install an inspection plate. I absolutely didn't want my top deck with camlocs or a plate but you know how tough it is to make mods to the CPU....







On my first engine start two known "in ops". No tach, still needs calibrating; erratic amp readings. Amp gauge rewired so that power doesn't go thru the BMA. If I had the top deck in place; big repair. and haven't had a second engine run to verify problem is fixed.


I wanted an emer. hatch with studs sticking down that I access from under the panel ( so no access from outside plane) but I can't think of a way yet. Didn't want a piano hinge.

thanks for the input.

(thanks gil in AZ)

Hey Mark. Been there done that on the rewire on the ammeter guage, not gonna fix it. Good luck on low RPM readings. If you figure out the secret, let us know!
Glen

[mark manda]

I played around with the AD settings and got the rpms to register -8 and the amp setting is at -3 now. So, I'll fire it up tomorrow hopefully. and then decide what to do about an inspection cover. water cut, laser cut?

[glenmthompson]

Hi Mark, listen,... the AD settings can be played with and you can get the display to read anything that you wish, on any display. The problems come up with, I believe (and the knowledgable "Bob"), induced currents and low, low, low voltage signal inputs that cause readings to be totally useless with the engine running, or inflight. ie, RPM at low RPM's and ammeter all the time when engine is running.
I am somewhat dissapointed that neither BMA nor readers of this forum that are BMA gurus, have not, offered anything to fix some of these anoying problems.
I have heard rumor that BMA now has a software update that will address the display jumping around issues IAW headings and map displays. Brent is checking on this, as he is our software guru, and right now has tons more patience with BMA than myself.
Glen

[rv7 2003]

BMA just lost another customer!

[mark manda]

darn, i was hoping for some advice on cutting an inspection plate NOT causing the company lost business.

I hate to send my large top deck out. got to be a place within 400 miles of me. or I cut it out and maybe even do a fiberglass lid. I"m worried about it changing shape, like everything else...

[rv7 2003]

Mark,
you are not causing BMA lost business. They are doing it to themselves. After all the bad publicity they get ,one couldnt expect people to buy their product.Building a plane is hard enough work without having to deal with supplier issues. Grand Rapids and Dynon seem to get favourable reports .
The BMA units seem like a great concept on paper. Maybe one day their product and service will catch up, but for now..........

[glenmthompson]

We are having some really good dialogue right now directly with Greg at BMA reference some of my previous complaints, and problems with RV 10 335JH. It seems to me that with the newest 2.5 software (yet to be installed), and the in testing phase software we are hearing about, and maybe the new gyro hardware options, it seems that BMA is getting their act together and it appears they have listened to every one commenting good and bad. Greg has apologized to me personally concerning my delivery nightmare earlier this year, and assures myself and all others that all future deliveries will not be promised until units are on the shelves. Apparently the "Glen" nightmare will be a thing of the past.
Oh, and I would like to personally thank all those who cut and pasted to Greg, several of my past comments, which most, were completely out of context or without my balancing comments. I thought that was quite a professional touch. Thanks soooooo much.

My complaints with the ammeter and tach will hopefully be solved in the following manner IAW Greg's suggestions and assurances:

***Greg says that new and coming software will address the tach not reading below 1000 RPM. I have played extensively with damping and calibrations, and we now have a rock solid RPM reading (above 1200 RPM).
***Ammeter, still wilder than I would like, but I will try Greg's suggestion to add more damping to lower false alarms, and I think a new deadline will probably get us to an acceptable ammeter reading situation.
***The autopilot continues to stump everybody. We have replaced everything ( control unit, both servos and wires) except the CPU (All shipped quickly and free of charge from BMA). We are waiting for the knowledgable "Bob" to come down (paid for by BMA) possibly with a CPU and find our final gremlin. The autopilot continues to function in ground test mode, and lock up the controls very solidly while "flying" on the ground. It fails though, to lock up the controls/servo and fly the plane inflight. Greg promises we will get it fixed, and references the hundreds of units flying perfectly in the field.
***Flew the first VOR courses and an ILS today. Vor and ILS needles are rock steady, and appear to be perfectly accurate. The VOR's checked within 1 degree on the VOR check. They do not follow their jittery cousin, Mr Map. The digital interface between the E 1 and the SL30 is an awsome touch. Navigating though without reading the manual or a thorough checkout, will stump the most confident IFR pilots to get the displays and course desired. Watch all that heads down flying guys! Once set up, it is a great HSI display to follow. Took a little X-country today to the edges of our box, and I am really impressed with the virtual 3D on the ADI. This alone makes the price of admission worth while IMHO.
Glen

[mark manda]

thanks for the positive news glen.

I sent my CPU off on friday for the gyro upgrade. It will probably keep me from flying this year though. It only took 4 hrs. to drop the cpu out the bottom and the screws, and the ribbon cord was the worst part so i'll plug it in prior to reinstalling. ( i should be faster the next time.)

I'm going to forego an inspection plate on the top deck since it came out the bottom okay. keep the info coming.