Vertical Power VPX Pro + Dual PMAGs

[bkervaski]

Looking for advice. Installing dual PMAGs on a Vertical Power VPX Pro system. There are two options:

1. Use the VPX Pro to power the PMAGs until their onboard generator takes over, this simplifies everything greatly. I like this.

2. Use a dedicated IBBS battery to power the PMAGs through physical circuit breakers with a pass-thru to the main battery (already installed, would remove if choice 1 is the way to go).

Separate PMAG run-up test switches in either case.

I can see benefits to both, leaning towards simplicity. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[N890GF]

Thats what I did

I have dual PMags and the VPX pro set up that way. Dedicated power pins to the PMags, enable and test switches through two DPDT switches on the panel for off - on - test. Wiring was super simple. attached is a screenshot from my wiring diagram. (not shown - pmags powered by VPX J8 pin 5 and 6. Switches enable those pins)

 

[N804RV]

I wired mine per "option 2" of the VP-X install manual and used a coupl of OFF-ON-(MOM) switches from Steinair that are advertised as "The PMag Switch".

https://www.steinair.com/product/locking-toggle-switch-p-mag-test-on-on-mom/

 

[Brantel]

One switch programmed to turn on dual outputs to the VPX. Then you can test each PMag using the EFIS to individually remove power to each mag. No reason for a bunch of switches.

The Pmag will prefer its internal alternator most of the time. You can see this happen on the EFIS when the current drops to zero.

 

[Radomir]

I wired mine per "option 2" of the VP-X install manual and used a coupl of OFF-ON-(MOM) switches from Steinair that are advertised as "The PMag Switch".

https://www.steinair.com/product/locking-toggle-switch-p-mag-test-on-on-mom/

Same here.. One of the images on Stein's site shows how to wire it..

 

[wirejock]

P-mags

I wired mine per "option 2" of the VP-X install manual and used a coupl of OFF-ON-(MOM) switches from Steinair that are advertised as "The PMag Switch".

https://www.steinair.com/product/locking-toggle-switch-p-mag-test-on-on-mom/

I have an AFS/ACM. Similar to the VPX except they recommend P-mags powered by dedicated power. I have the same switches. Power is off the Master Contactor to breakers on the panel then back to the P-mags. If the ACM fails, the mags still have power. Unless the master fails too. Oh my. So many decisions.

 

[vinzer]

Looking for advice. Installing dual PMAGs on a Vertical Power VPX Pro system. There are two options:

1. Use the VPX Pro to power the PMAGs until their onboard generator takes over, this simplifies everything greatly. I like this.

2. Use a dedicated IBBS battery to power the PMAGs through physical circuit breakers with a pass-thru to the main battery (already installed, would remove if choice 1 is the way to go).

Separate PMAG run-up test switches in either case.

I can see benefits to both, leaning towards simplicity. Any advice is appreciated!

I have PMAG powered via TCW 3A IBBS. This provides additional layer of safety + allows PMAG to actually start my engine even when I have to crank for longer than normal time and battery voltage drops.
Connecting PMAG direct or via VPX to main battery will make battery voltage a factor for successful start of your engine. Use of IBBS as a power source for PMAG will eliminate this type of dependency.

 

[rleffler]

My installation wasn't a voting option.

I have an independent ebus with a secondary alternator and a dedicated earthx battery. The pmags are connected via breakers to a shared buss that can be isolated to either the main buss or the ebuss.

 

[bkervaski]

Thanks, everyone! Happy New Year!