Brantel
Well Known Member
Initially my panel was designed around using Dynon's AP. The first half of my Phase I testing has been sans AP because I did not purchase the servos and install them until this week. Originally the panel and the plane were built with the brackets installed, holes drilled and wires ran to make it easier to add the servos later. My cash flow prevented the purchase of the servos earlier this year so they had to wait.
I have a D100, D120, HS34, AP74 and a SV32 in the wing for roll and a SV42 in the back for pitch. I used the Dynon install kits and used the Stein bundle for the servo wiring.
I am starting with firmware version 5.3 so all of my experiences with the Dynon AP will be from that point forward. Major enhancements have been made to the AP firmware since the intial release!
I chose to go ahead and use the SV42 instead of the recommended SV32 for pitch due to the fact that several post here state that the SV32 indicates too much slipage even at 100% torque in the RV7. I would rather have too much torque available and limit the torque % rather than not have enough. For roll, the SV32 seems to be more than enough and I even have the torque % on that backed off a bit.
The install went flawless and Dynon has done a great job with the documentation. The expoded views and the 3D models really make this a no brainer. I did however use an additional washer under the bearing that attaches to the elevator bellcrank to provide additional clearance of the pushrod jam nut to the bellcrank. The hardest part was safety wiring the three servo mount screws while "in the position" of laying thru the seat back bulkhead between the side of the fuse and the flap motor box and into the baggage compartment. This is no small task for a fat man!!!!
The setup and configuration/testing of the AP system went flawlessly and just as explained in the manuals. Very well done by Dynon. It almost idiot proofs the initial setup of the system.
Once configured, the AP is ready to use and since I have the AP74, the operator interface of the AP is second to none. Really easy to operate and the features of the AP/AP74 combo are really amazing for the price. To get comparable features that Dynon includes by default would push you into much more expensive units with the competition. If they ever enable vertical guided modes (AP76 or other), this thing will be for the most part as complete as anyone could ever desire. Even GPSS is supported out of the box with the HS34. VOR/LOC modes are free as well which is something that only the high end TT's support natively.
My in flight testing has been limited at this point so I will make regular updates to this thread as I continue to use the AP.
The initial testing I have done must really be an improvement over past firmware releases in the roll axis. I have started with the new control method that Dynon gives you the option to select and I can tell you that the AP will nail HDG mode rock solid, GPS Trak mode is also rock solid, turns to a new HDG or GPS Trak are smooth and accurate. Have not done any extensive GPS Nav modes yet so I have not intercepted a course at different angles or overflew a waypoint yet. All I have driving at this point is a X96 GPS so I cannot report on GPSS mode.
The pitch axis seems to also work very well. I was not expecting it to work as well as it does based on some of the reports. Altitude changes worked very well. Little to no overshoot at the target. The unit has shown me that it can hold alt to +-10ft in some light chop.
All of these comments may change when I get more time on the unit in different turbulence conditions. Time will tell. Right now I am happy as a clam that it works as well as it does with little to no tuning required on my end. You can't beat the price point to enter into an advanced feature set dual axis AP....
Please do not use these post as a sole method for chosing an AP. One man's opinion is not enough info to make a choice.....when it comes to these things, results sometimes vary and vary greatly...
More to come later!
I have a D100, D120, HS34, AP74 and a SV32 in the wing for roll and a SV42 in the back for pitch. I used the Dynon install kits and used the Stein bundle for the servo wiring.
I am starting with firmware version 5.3 so all of my experiences with the Dynon AP will be from that point forward. Major enhancements have been made to the AP firmware since the intial release!
I chose to go ahead and use the SV42 instead of the recommended SV32 for pitch due to the fact that several post here state that the SV32 indicates too much slipage even at 100% torque in the RV7. I would rather have too much torque available and limit the torque % rather than not have enough. For roll, the SV32 seems to be more than enough and I even have the torque % on that backed off a bit.
The install went flawless and Dynon has done a great job with the documentation. The expoded views and the 3D models really make this a no brainer. I did however use an additional washer under the bearing that attaches to the elevator bellcrank to provide additional clearance of the pushrod jam nut to the bellcrank. The hardest part was safety wiring the three servo mount screws while "in the position" of laying thru the seat back bulkhead between the side of the fuse and the flap motor box and into the baggage compartment. This is no small task for a fat man!!!!
The setup and configuration/testing of the AP system went flawlessly and just as explained in the manuals. Very well done by Dynon. It almost idiot proofs the initial setup of the system.
Once configured, the AP is ready to use and since I have the AP74, the operator interface of the AP is second to none. Really easy to operate and the features of the AP/AP74 combo are really amazing for the price. To get comparable features that Dynon includes by default would push you into much more expensive units with the competition. If they ever enable vertical guided modes (AP76 or other), this thing will be for the most part as complete as anyone could ever desire. Even GPSS is supported out of the box with the HS34. VOR/LOC modes are free as well which is something that only the high end TT's support natively.
My in flight testing has been limited at this point so I will make regular updates to this thread as I continue to use the AP.
The initial testing I have done must really be an improvement over past firmware releases in the roll axis. I have started with the new control method that Dynon gives you the option to select and I can tell you that the AP will nail HDG mode rock solid, GPS Trak mode is also rock solid, turns to a new HDG or GPS Trak are smooth and accurate. Have not done any extensive GPS Nav modes yet so I have not intercepted a course at different angles or overflew a waypoint yet. All I have driving at this point is a X96 GPS so I cannot report on GPSS mode.
The pitch axis seems to also work very well. I was not expecting it to work as well as it does based on some of the reports. Altitude changes worked very well. Little to no overshoot at the target. The unit has shown me that it can hold alt to +-10ft in some light chop.
All of these comments may change when I get more time on the unit in different turbulence conditions. Time will tell. Right now I am happy as a clam that it works as well as it does with little to no tuning required on my end. You can't beat the price point to enter into an advanced feature set dual axis AP....
Please do not use these post as a sole method for chosing an AP. One man's opinion is not enough info to make a choice.....when it comes to these things, results sometimes vary and vary greatly...
More to come later!
Last edited:
evidence was the pile of twisted wire I drug out with me when I was done!!)
