We have updated manuals on the web site:
Quick Panel Manual with the new ACM-ECB
http://dynonavionics.com/downloads/advanced/Advanced Quick Panel Installation Manual V4.4.pdf
AF-5000 Pilot Guide
http://dynonavionics.com/includes/guides/advanced/AF-5000 Pilot Guide Manual V15.0.pdf
HDX Pilot Guide
http://dynonavionics.com/public_htm...SkyView_HDX_Pilots_User_Guide-Rev_B_v15_2.pdf
I came up with the idea for the Advanced Control module with plug-and-play wiring after years of helping customers install and trouble shoot avionics in airplanes. After 17 years of trouble shooting problems in home wired and professionally wired panels and seeing how long it took the average customer to install them there had to be a better way.
With the Advanced Control Module (ACM) all of the avionics are on plugs, easy to install and easy to fix. Decide you want to upgrade your GNS430 to a GTN650? With the ACM based panel unplug the old tray and literally plug in the new GTN650 tray and harness. What would probably take you at least 8 hours with a traditionally wired panel can be done in 30 minutes. Decide you want to upgrade to IFR from VFR? No problem plug in our Avidyne IFD540 harness and mount the new tray and you're done. No installing ARINC modules and trying to figure out all the audio, RS-232 and ARINC wiring.
Have an avionics problem? No problem. You can remove the component and its wiring by unplugging a harness. You can then work on it on the bench instead of on your head under the panel or we can send you a new harness.
We currently have a customer that decided to install an EFIS, Transponder, ADSB, Autopilot, Audio Panel and IFD540 in a flying plane. He decided that his local avionics shop could install it without using our ACM. They still are not finished and they have over 300 hours in it. The labor to install it will end up being more than the components!
I have rewired my RV-10 panel three times in the last 9 years. My first panel used traditional switches and Circuit Breakers. On my second panel I replaced the Circuit Breakers with a VPX-Pro. It saved a huge amount of wire and I was extremely happy with how it simplified the power wiring.
When Aerosport Products developed the 310 carbon fiber RV-10 panel and we had the AF-5700 12" EFIS for the center screen I had to have it. Even though we were selling the ACM module I had no intention of removing the VPX and rewiring my panel again
With my new panel I also decided to replace my SL30 with an IFD540. This was 14 days before Oshkosh, plenty of time. After spending about 8 hours under the panel tracing and pulling wires I had had enough, there had to be a better way. I drove to work and grabbed an ACM and a bunch of pre-made harness and starting installing. In a few hours of work I literally had the 3 EFIS screens, transponder, ADSB, GTN650 and IFD540 up and running. Over the next few days I wired all the switches, lights, Alternator and fuel pump to the new ACM. The wiring had never been cleaner and it is now a lot easier to work on.
With my new panel I did miss the ability to see the load on each circuit and the ability to shut off each component individually. With the automotive fuses it was extremely simple and reliable. Five months ago we had our first prototype ACM-ECB with Electronic Circuit breakers and I decided it was time for another RV-10 upgrade. It look about an hour to replace the Fused ACM with the new Electronic Circuit breaker version. It uses the same mounting and wiring! I have now been flying for the last four months with the new module and it is working extremely well.
Rob Hickman
N402RH RV-10
Advanced Flight Systems Inc.