Here we go again!
You need to have a windows based computer and be somewhat computer literate. These are not exact directions but as close as I can get!
Before you start this process it is assumed that you have your D180 installed and all setup with its current software and fully functional.
1. You will need your USB to 9 pin serial port cable that came with the Dynon. Go to the Dynon web site and down load the the Drivers for your computer and install them when you plug in the cable.
http://www.dynonavionics.com/docs/support_software.html.
2. Go to vans web site (
http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/downloads.htm) and down load the Vans_RV-12_FlightDEK-D180_locked_settings_5.4.zip file. If you have a D-100 you will need the other file to, Vans_RV-12_EFIS-D100_locked_settings_5.4.zip. Unzip the file and put it somewhere on your computer where you can easily find it.
3. Next go to Dynon web site (
http://www.dynonavionics.com/docs/support_software.html) and down load the Dynon Support Program. Install it on your computer.
4. Plug in the USB to 9 pin cable to the serial port in the airplane. Turn on the Dynon and Autopilot and the D100 if you have one in the Airplane. Open up the Dynon support program and select, choose “Flightdek-D180/Autopilot” in the “Choose Product” window. Then choose “Detect Firmware Version” in the “Choose Action” window. Then hit “Go”. Your Dynon screen will turn yellow and after a few mins the Support program will show what version software is installed on your Dynon D180, including your Autopilot and the Servos except the D100 which will have to be updated separately. Yes even you autopilot servos have some form of software in them. If this procedure works correctly then at this point you know your computer is communicating with the Dynon which is good.
5. Now comes the fun part, updating the software.
Any custom settings that you have made to the Dynon like changing the Celsius to Fahrenheit, Zulu time to local time displayed on the screen, doing the DSAB procedure, Kfactor, Setting Magnetic Variation, etc will be gone and you will have to redo them including your check list after the software update. Right now there is not a way to save these setting. I have contacted Dynon tech Support and they agree that there is no way to save your setting. So now that you know that your computer is talking to the Dynon select “Create Firmware Backup “ Click Go. Then you will be asked where you want to save this file on your computer hard drive. There will be three files one for D180, one for the AP74, one for each servo. These backup files are used to return your Dynon back to its original state in-case after you do your Software update it doesn’t work correctly. After this is done then select “Upgrade to Firmware 5.4.0” then select Go. As the process begins you will be asked if you would like to create another Firmware Backup, just click no since you have already done this earlier. Then the Dynon Support program will begin updating the software on the D180 as well as the AP74 and the Servos. After the program is done then select the “Detect Firmware Version” again and verify the software version on the D180, AP74, and servos are now Version 5.4.0. If this works you are now done. You will then need to download the new Flightdek D180 instillation Guide from the Dynon web site (
http://www.dynonavionics.com/docs/support_documentation.html)
Go to Section 8 and review the Autopilot setup to get the optimum settings for you Autopilot. There are many threads on this subject on this form and most of this is in the directions in the help button on the Dynon Support program.
Jim if you have your D180 currently up and running correctly then you dont need to do the software update for your inspection. The most current software version is 5.4. You can select the Version Key on the Dynon and it will show you what software you have without hooking up a computer to it. (See page 5-10 in the FlightDek-180 Pilot User Guide) You probably have 5.1. Also if you cant run the Dynon support program on your computer without it hooked up to the Dynon then you need to call Dynon tech support and work from there forward. Good luck! All I can say is read all Dynon manuals 3 times. Then it starts to make sense.
John
RV12 N1212K