I'm sending in my D-180 to Dynon for repair, it has been locking up, not coming on at power up and also during flight showing unusual pitch attitudes. It is from 2010. My question is has anyone converted to Skyview? I know the instrument panel and switches will need replacing and the wire harness or most of it ,also the approximate cost, I can do the installation so I won't need to pay labor...thanks, Bob
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D-180 to Skyview
- Thread starter bobg56
- Start date
I did what you are considering. There were 2 ways to accomplish this when I did mine in 2016. At that time there were conversion harnesses available. A perhaps better way was to take out all the old D180 harnesses and put in the newer fuselage, options and Skyview harnesses. You can review Section 42D and Sections 31B of the original KAI plans to see how this goes. I took out all the old harnesses and installed the new rather than use the conversion harnesses per Section 42D. I still needed to prep the airframe per 42D to accept the Skyview boxes.
Dynon was offering a rebate on D180 equipment if you converted to Skyview and I took advantage of that. After selling my other avionics my costs at that time were about $10K. Some research should get you enough info whether this conversion still a viable option.
Here is a link to my old VAF posts on the conversion: https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=142898
The pictures from that old thread are no longer in the posts, but I can email some of those.
Old and new pics attached:
Dynon was offering a rebate on D180 equipment if you converted to Skyview and I took advantage of that. After selling my other avionics my costs at that time were about $10K. Some research should get you enough info whether this conversion still a viable option.
Here is a link to my old VAF posts on the conversion: https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=142898
The pictures from that old thread are no longer in the posts, but I can email some of those.
Old and new pics attached:
Attachments
Converting D-180 to SkyView
Bob,
Email me. I have a board that will make your conversion easy. Email me at [email protected] and I will pass on the info to help you.
Brian
Bob,
Email me. I have a board that will make your conversion easy. Email me at [email protected] and I will pass on the info to help you.
Brian
Hey Brian - what is the board you are referring to? And would it help with an RV-12 conversion to Skyview from the D-180?
Bob,
Here is one of the posts I did a bit ago,
SkyView Interconnect Board
A few years ago, I came up with a simple low cost interconnect board for SkyView. I finally made a mock-up using the board in a RV7 Panel. It shows you a simple, neat install using the board. This is a top view of the front and sub panels with the board and most SkyView modules installed...
www.vansairforce.net
If you are using the RV12 Interconnect Box, it might work with a few extra harnesses to connect the Van’s box and my board.
If you are interested, you can email me at [email protected]
Brian
No PIREP, but it's on my wish list to replace my D100/D120 with Skyview. Dynon has published a lengthy conversion guide (attached). It includes the D180 as the starting system. See attached, hope it helps.
RV12_AL
Member
I upgraded my 2010 RV12 last year and to do it right and Van's behind you, only one way. I worked with Van's before and during and I can tell you that the wiring harnesses have to be replaced. Van's told me they had problems with the conversion harness. They recommended all harnesses replaced except the engine and trim. You will also get 3 new pre-cut front panels.
****I got great help from Tony - here above. Tony had some very helpful information.
You will also take everything out of the avionics bay "everything", so basically just starting over. You want just be referring to one set of plans, you'll be bouncing around to several year versions for the correct info.
Was it worth it? Hell Yes It's incredible!
Does it have side effects? Hell Yes, back aces, cuts, eye strain, nerve strain, gut pain from bending over the side and others.
See my blog below for more info.
****I got great help from Tony - here above. Tony had some very helpful information.
You will also take everything out of the avionics bay "everything", so basically just starting over. You want just be referring to one set of plans, you'll be bouncing around to several year versions for the correct info.
Was it worth it? Hell Yes It's incredible!
Does it have side effects? Hell Yes, back aces, cuts, eye strain, nerve strain, gut pain from bending over the side and others.
See my blog below for more info.
This looks daunting. Can I do it? I'm sure I can as I've pinned out many DB9 and RS232 connectors in my day. How long do you think a total novice like me would take to rip everything out and do what you did?
Did you buy everything from Vans? What did it cost, and were you able to sell any of the old equipment on eBay, etc?
RV12_AL
Member
I bought everything from Van's and around $28k. I did sell most all the old equipment, the D-180 & old panel parts went like hot cakes.
