I'll try to answer your questions here. Some other options: 1) post on the forums on the Vertical Power webs site, 2) call us and we can drill down on the phone in detail, that sort of thing is easier than trying to post, 3) find me at the LOE 07 fly-in next weekend.
I also don't like the automation that is built into VP-200. That is not for me.
But I am interested in Panel and wiring simplification.
Ben - fair enough. Because it is a digital system (microprocessor driven) you can configure it however you want. You can have a long row of switches and just turn everything off and on manually if you want. You'll still get the other benefits but operate it conventionally. Or something in between full manual and full auto. Play with and change the config till you arrive at something you like.
Here are some of the key design points about the automation:
- you configure how you want it to work, so it matches your flying style not the other way around
- it always shows or tells you what it is doing
- you can override the automation at any time using several different methods
- you can change it at any time if you don't like it
- you can disable the automation for most functions if you so choose
The -100 of course is all manual switches.
What do you think of VP-100 ?
I know about single point of failure, but I also like the simplicity it can provide.
The VP-100 is running about 6 months behind the VP-200, but they both use the same Control Unit (the red box that does all the switching and circuit protection, contactor management, OV protection, and trim & flaps). We don't have a VP-100 install manual out yet, but it is very similar to the -200.
If you look in the -200 installation manual (look under support->documentation on our web site), there several sections about how to wire backups. The system itself is designed with several layers of redundancy and fail over, and you can add to that with additional backups. For example, if you install an EFIS, you may consider adding extra gauges as backup. Same here. You can install extra switches to back up critical circuits. It's your decision how many backups you want to add. There's a fine balance between adding additional complexity and additional redundancy.
For the most part, I think it's more valid to look at the Vertical Power systems as a collection of systems in a single box. There actually aren't that many single points of failure than in a traditional system.
G
Guy is correct. There are some failure modes that will bring down the system (just like in a traditional system), and there are others that will only affect a specific area. You can think about it like trading one type of failure for another. With a traditional system you may have a failed switch or relay, with the VP system, you may have a failed integrated circuit. Which do you think is more reliable? (actually they're both pretty reliable from a practical perspective)
So to simplify the wiring I guess I could spend $400 for EXBUS or $3,000 for vp-100. What do I get for the extra money I spend?
Actually, the big secret is that we're taking the EXP bus and putting it in a fancy red box, then charging 10x for it.
Just kidding.
Very different technologies and capabilities. Sort of like the difference between a Dynon and a Chelton. Both good products but serve different needs.
The most obvious difference is that the VP system is all digital, and can be fully configured and changed to match the needs of each builder. And, you change almost anything later on down the road if you need to. There a feature list on our web site that hopefully will help you with some additional details.
http://www.verticalpower.com/features.html
I haven't yet found anyone on any board who's installing the VP.
I need to ping our beta customers to start making posts. And, our first batch of production units shipped this week so it'll be a while before you start seeing anything I suppose.
Bob - go down the street and see Stein. He'll have a system for an RV-10 in a few days.
