Steam gauge DA-40 with Aspen or Garmin retrofit glass panel

Any DA40 related topics

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Lance Murray
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Re: Steam gauge DA-40 with Aspen or Garmin retrofit glass pa

Post by Lance Murray »

I lose nothing at all with the Garmin 496 in that position.

I made a simple bracket and attached it with the Garmin "permanent" double stick tape that you can order from Garmin. It is FAR stickier than anything else I have come across.

The bracket has the clip-on GPS mount bolted to it.
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Lance Murray
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Re: Steam gauge DA-40 with Aspen or Garmin retrofit glass pa

Post by Lance Murray »

Again I lose nothing at all with it mounted there. I do have to look around the stick a little but no big deal.

The bracket I made out of a piece of aluminum and used the Garmin "Permanent" double stick tape. I took the included yoke mount and bolted it to the bracket. It took me all of about 30 minutes to make the bracket and install it. Make sure that you use the Garmin tape. Nothing else that I know of holds it well. The Garmin tape makes the mount semi-permanent. I did have to replace the tape once in the 3 years that it has been mounted there. I also wired the Garmin to the ship's power and also the RS-232 out from the Garmin 530. Your avionics shop can do this easily. I will take some pictures tomorrow and upload them.
Erik wrote:Lance! You are brilliant. I never thought of putting my backup 396 GPS there. Do you feel like you loose any comfort for having it between your legs? My guess is that you don't even notice it since your legs are split apart there anyway because of the center stick.

Wow - I want to put my 396 there.

How did you mount it? I would very much appreciate if you have any pictures with the actual 396 removed but just showing the mount and how you placed it onto the airplane. Are there screws? Did you end up modifying a RAAM mount or something?
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Thomas
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Re: Steam gauge DA-40 with Aspen or Garmin retrofit glass pa

Post by Thomas »

I mounted my 500 same way as Lance but in the middle. The park brake lever and the heating levers are a bit hidden, but this doesen't matter. Will post some pics next time when flying.
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Lance Murray
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Re: Steam gauge DA-40 with Aspen or Garmin retrofit glass pa

Post by Lance Murray »

I thought about doing that but the 496 is a bit too bulky. I contemplated getting the 560 so I had more options for mounting.
Bret

Re: Steam gauge DA-40 with Aspen or Garmin retrofit glass pa

Post by Bret »

After testing the user interfaces of many different setups and talking with my avionics installer and cost I aam going with Aspen and gns 750 and 650 with a hidden audio panel. I have a GDL 69 and gtx 330 for traffic. this setup fits very well and the user interface is second to non.
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Lance Murray
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Re: Steam gauge DA-40 with Aspen or Garmin retrofit glass pa

Post by Lance Murray »

I look forward to seeing the pictures. I am very curious how the new system works.
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Re: Steam gauge DA-40 with Aspen or Garmin retrofit glass pa

Post by tomb »

Good morning folks,

Just a longshot but I thought I would ask. Any low time steam gauge DA-40's out there that may be on the market? I owned a 2003 a few years ago and wish I had kept it. It would have been an excellent candidate for the Aspen/Garmin retrofit.

If you have one or know of one let me know. Thanks so much

Tom

tbranton@flyingb.net
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Lance Murray
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Re: Steam gauge DA-40 with Aspen or Garmin retrofit glass pa

Post by Lance Murray »

You should be able to find one. Keep your eyes peeled on TAP, Barnstormers and the Controller. Personally I wouldn't worry too much about the time on the plane. Just pay accordingly.

These airplanes can easily be refurbished to new condition with little effort. If it is a 2003 I would prefer time on it as apposed to a hangar queen.
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Jean
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Re: Steam gauge DA-40 with Aspen or Garmin retrofit glass pa

Post by Jean »

tomb wrote:If you have one or know of one let me know.
tbranton@flyingb.net
Tom,
Did you check MARKET on DAN ?
40.446, G1000, KAP 140, Hartzell Metal
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Thomas
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Re: Steam gauge DA-40 with Aspen or Garmin retrofit glass pa

Post by Thomas »

Here are finally the Pics. I love the Aera. With the automotive mode, you can use it in the rental car after the flight too.

Regards Thomas
Attachments
Aera 500 Bracket
Aera 500 Bracket
G500 D-ENMA 1.jpg (39.74 KiB) Viewed 3229 times
Aera 500 installed
Aera 500 installed
G500 D-ENMA.jpg (73.83 KiB) Viewed 3229 times
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