Big milestone Sunday night: I had nearly all the wiring done and all but 2 of my antennas (transponder and comm 2 aren't done yet - need more coax). I tested connections and wiring until I was sick of it, and finally decided late Sunday to bite the bullet and power the system up. I double checked the VPX programming by powering it alone up with a laptop, then installed it, connected by DC power supply to the VPX and main ground block, and turned it all on.
To my immense relief, everything worked.
Skyview came right up.
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| From Finish Kit 2 |
This evening I updated the firmware and system software to 14.0, then set about configuring all the various devices (GPS, SL40, ADS/B, etc).
I don't have a VPX license yet - should get that tomorrow, so I can't see the VPX interface and check all that out. I also should get the data card for the GPS tomorrow, so I can install a single NavData update to make sure that works. I followed the instructions in the Dynon manual for the 430/530, and even though mine is a 400, it seems to work exactly the same.
When the test screen comes up on the GPS, the HSI needles move appropriately and Skyview is clearly receiving test data from the Garmin.
Once the serial port for the SL40 was configured the Skyview immediately knew both active and standby freqs for that, so that's working. I need to set the radio up to allow frequency push from the airport data pages to make that work.
I also turned on the ADS/B interface and that is clearly talking, although in the garage none of the data antennas (GPS or ADS/B) are working. I can pick up center traffic on the SL40 no problem, so that's working great.
The audio interfaces to the audio panel also work, including audio alerts from the Skyview. Temp sensor appears to be correct, as do the CHT sensors that are all hooked up. They are slightly colder than the air temp since I had the heater on - CHTs read 57 while the air temp in the tail read 62. Bang on.
Remote compass for the D10 is also working, as well as the GPS input data being fed to it by the Garmin (when in test mode).
I strung the Dynon GPS out the door and was able to get position immediately, so that's working. I'll have to try to rig up an extension for the Garmin GPS antenna so I can get it outside to make sure I'm getting good signal on that.
There are still some things that need to be sorted out - I think the remote compass for the D10 is near some sort of interference because it's about 40 degrees out. I moved it around and it's definitely working, so I just need to get it clear of any interference and calibrate it properly. Same holds true for the Skyview ADAHRS.
I also need to power up the transponder and make sure it's working ok. I didn't want to power it up with no antenna. Same for the ICOM A210. Should be able to do that later this week.
There are still some things that need to be sorted out - I think the remote compass for the D10 is near some sort of interference because it's about 40 degrees out. I moved it around and it's definitely working, so I just need to get it clear of any interference and calibrate it properly. Same holds true for the Skyview ADAHRS.
I also need to power up the transponder and make sure it's working ok. I didn't want to power it up with no antenna. Same for the ICOM A210. Should be able to do that later this week.
Very happy camper at this point.
