Trig T22 ADSB config question

[WingsForWillem]

Hey all, I recently bought an RV-6 and I’ve been absolutely loving it. However, I ran into an issue with the lighting/ADS-B setup that’s keeping it from being night legal.

Right now, the aircraft has a right wingtip position light both for the wing and the rear position light, and a strobe.

The right wing is set up normally and works fine.

The left wing originally had the same setup, but at some point it was replaced with a uAvionix skyBeacon, which only provides the strobe and wing position light functions. Not the rear position light.

This RV does not have a dedicated tail position light because the original wingtip nav light arrangement was intended to satisfy the visibility requirements. The issue now is that with the skyBeacon setup on only one side, the lighting coverage/visibility from that side no longer seems compliant for night operations.

I want to make the airplane night legal again, so my plan is probably to replace both wingtip lights anyway since the remaining conventional nav/strobe on the opposite wing is very dated and currently intermittently working.

Here’s where I’m confused:

From what I’ve researched, the Trig TT22 is ADS-B Out capable as long as it’s connected to an approved WAAS GPS source. The airplane already has a Garmin GNS 430W, so I’m curious why the ADS-B Out wasn’t configured through the TT22 in the first place, since I know a lot of people run that exact combo successfully.

So my main question is:
Is it generally a straightforward process for an avionics shop to reconfigure the TT22 to use the 430W as its GPS source for ADS-B Out? Or is there more involved than I’m thinking?

I’d definitely have a shop handle the work, but this seems like the cleanest solution so I can ditch the skyBeacon and go back to a normal matched wingtip lighting setup.

Curious what you guys think or if anyone has dealt with a similar setup before.

Thanks!

 

[jimzap]

I would think an avionics shop could easily tackle this, but you might be able to also. The TT22 does accept GNS430W gps input as shown below. Depending on the location of the main unit (as opposed to the control head) wires will need to be added.



Hope that helps.
JZ

 

[BobTurner]

I cannot imagine what the original owner was thinking, unless he is one of these paranoid types that wants to run anonymous mode (the mode S-ES can’t do that). I need to know how you control the TT22, and what/how you get pressure altitude to it. I have a Trig TT22, G430W, and GRT Hx EFIS. The TT 22 is just the remote box - the Hx controls it. I needed a RS 232 to RS422 (I think) converter/adaptor ($100 from GRT iirc). The converter plugs directly into the TT22. Run an rs232 line from the 430W to the adaptor (430 format ‘ADSB+’). Run a second rs232 line from the efis to the adaptor which carries altitude encoder data and control functions. I ran a remote ident line. And power and ground. If you have the Trig panel control box for the TT22 You just run the 430 RS232 line to that box. It can be programmed for the needed adsb data.
For new external lighting I like FlyLEDs. Reasonably priced, work great.

 

[rv8ch]

The complexity and cost depends on what's behind the panel. As others have said, in theory it's a very easy task to do this. If you know what you are doing, and things behind the panel are "reasonable", it would be a half day job. If it's a mess, or access to the devices is difficult, it could take days. In any case, I agree that it seems to make good sense to do this.

 

[pjc]

Be sure you have a TT-22 (and not the similar TT-21). The TT-21 doesn’t meet the 2020 ADSB out requirement (it’s ES capable but its output power is too low). Perhaps that was the reason for the SkyBeacon (or maybe it’s just the desire to be “Anonymous” using UAT out rather than ES).

In any case, to avoid letters from the FAA don’t employ BOTH ADSB transmissions. My understanding is that the TT22 (and TT21) will only emit the ADSB data on ES when provided a valid GPS position via RS-232. So if you TRIG transponder is not connected to your 430W it is only outputting Mode S.

Also note the TT22 will provide ADSB In also (but only Traffic data - TIS B, not weather FIS-B).

In answer to your question, wiring and configuring the TT21 to output ADSB via ES using a 430W position source IS straightforward, and all you need to know is included in the Trig Installation manual available on-line here:

https://trig-avionics.com/support/install-and-user-manuals/

Peter

 

[BobTurner]

…… to your question, wiring and configuring the TT21 to output ADSB via ES using a 430W position source IS straightforward, and all you need to know is included in the Trig Installation manual available on-line here:

https://trig-avionics.com/support/install-and-user-manuals/

Peter

I’m sure that’s a typo, he meant TT22. As he said, the TT21 doesn’t meet the power spec.
BTW, in the 10 years I’ve had it, the TT22/430W/GRT Hx has been rock solid, always passed the biennial test with no adjustments needed.

 

[pjc]

I’m sure that’s a typo, he meant TT22. As he said, the TT21 doesn’t meet the power spec.
BTW, in the 10 years I’ve had it, the TT22/430W/GRT Hx has been rock solid, always passed the biennial test with no adjustments needed.

TT22 and TT21 are wired and configured identically. The only difference is in the transmitted power.