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Has anyone put a GTX345 in their steam gauge DA40? The 345 is too long and doesn't fit in the same way the existing 327 did. Can you post a picture of your install? I know the GTX330 is also longer than the 327. Any pics of that install would help also. Thanks

Mine has a trig tt31

All of these are basically Mode S transponders and they tend to be just enough longer than the 327 to potentially have a problem with the canopy arm when mounted on the right side of the panel. I seem to recall someone being able to install a 335, which is the same depth, but the placement of the connectors gets to play a role in this. I had to mount my KT74 at an angle for the connectors to clear the arm. Were the connectors placed differently this would not have been necessary. FWIW, my KT74 is longer (10.7 in.) than the 335/345s (10.07 in.).

Of course, if you want an in/out transponder your choices are more limited, as the above are out-only. Something that would be really useful would be if you could somehow construct a cardboard cutout with the same size and shape as the top view of a 345.

Here's what I wound up doing with the KT74:

Thanks Rich!

Lance,

My avionics shop was able to swap out a Garmin 330 for the 345. My six pack AC has its stack with the KAP140 on top, the 530W followed by the 430W, and the 345 on the bottom. The final bill equaled the estimate so I never heard from the shop that there was any problem getting the 345 to fit flush to the rest of the stack.

Next time I am out at the AC I will take a picture if that would help.

It would. Thanks. What about your audio panel? did that have to get moved to where the transponder is? I would prefer to have the autopilot at the top location anyway. Thanks in advance for the photo.

Lance, this is an older picture pre-345 with the 330 transponder. As I get to the aircraft in the next day or two, I will provide a current photo.

One issue with this configuration, is that when I fly with my 6’3” brother his knee has occasionally changed my settings on the Garmin 340 Audio panel

Putting it in the center stack there's plenty of room, of course. But of all the electronics, one fiddles less with the transponder than any of the other devices. On most VFR flights, I don't touch it at all, even on the ground. And even on an IFR flight I'll set a code once (often not at all when in the air), maybe hit the VFR button near the end or after the flight and maybe an ident somewhere. The bottom line is I like it where it is, even though it's mounted with that slight cant. The max protrusion, BTW, comes out closely aligned with the stick and therefore doesn't impact knee room.

In flight I'm routinely switching the audio panel between Nav 1 and 2 when IFR, and even use Nav 3 (connected to nothing at all) when VFR so I don't have to listen to irrelevant chatter

I found this picture of a 345 installation from a post a couple of years back:
It looks like it might be very slightly canted. Certainly less than mine.

Rich makes a number of very good points about why his configuration may make more sense than my aircraft’s avionics layout.

Attached is a photo of my panel with the 345 installed. I hope this helps