Possible Aspen installation

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johnu
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by johnu »

Rich,

Not sure why or how that dealer missed that but your advice to reach out is appreciated.

I look forward to hearing about how the install and use goes. I think you will enjoy your transition to glass in your plane.

John
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Rich
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Rich »

The holdup is fabricating the wedge to mount the RSM on top of the fuselage, so it's not quite done yet. In the meantime I constructed a checklist to test out the installation and proper function. It's a pretty long list, which illustrates the number of new functions and learning points for me. It also includes regression testing to make sure nothing quit working as a result of the installation.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Chip&Al
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Chip&Al »

Rich wrote: Wed Feb 03, 2021 10:19 pm The holdup is fabricating the wedge to mount the RSM on top of the fuselage, so it's not quite done yet. In the meantime I constructed a checklist to test out the installation and proper function. It's a pretty long list, which illustrates the number of new functions and learning points for me. It also includes regression testing to make sure nothing quit working as a result of the installation.
Rich, mind sharing that checklist?
N506DS - Red & White 2002 DA40 - 40.206 - Powerflow - Aspen Evolution 2000 - Avidyne IFD540/440 - Lynx NGT9000
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johnu
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by johnu »

Rich,

Great idea. I am excited to hear how it goes. Let me know if you need any help or support!


Best regards

John
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Rich
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

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Chip&Al wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 1:59 am Rich, mind sharing that checklist?
This is relevant to my setup: Aspen E5, GNS530W/430W, KAP140, FS210, ACK E4 ELT (GPS input added), KT74 Transponder. Some of it is training on my part as much as checking the installation:
Aspen Checklist.docx
(15.46 KiB) Downloaded 87 times
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Chip&Al
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Chip&Al »

Rich wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 2:39 am
Chip&Al wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 1:59 am Rich, mind sharing that checklist?
This is relevant to my setup: Aspen E5, GNS530W/430W, KAP140, FS210, ACK E4 ELT (GPS input added), KT74 Transponder. Some of it is training on my part as much as checking the installation:

Aspen Checklist.docx
Appreciate you sharing! I’m going to customize for my Aspen/Avidyne’s install!
N506DS - Red & White 2002 DA40 - 40.206 - Powerflow - Aspen Evolution 2000 - Avidyne IFD540/440 - Lynx NGT9000
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Rich
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Rich »

Chip&Al wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 3:46 am
Rich wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 2:39 am
Chip&Al wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 1:59 am Rich, mind sharing that checklist?
This is relevant to my setup: Aspen E5, GNS530W/430W, KAP140, FS210, ACK E4 ELT (GPS input added), KT74 Transponder. Some of it is training on my part as much as checking the installation:

Aspen Checklist.docx
Appreciate you sharing! I’m going to customize for my Aspen/Avidyne’s install!
Added a few steps, as I realized at about 1:00 AM I wasn't exercising any VOR stuff.

Working in an ILS will have to wait until I have a safety pilot, as it'll require dealing with lots of traffic. The bad news is there is only one ILS within 100 miles. The good news is it has a DME arc.
Aspen Checklist.docx
(15.88 KiB) Downloaded 73 times
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Chip&Al
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Chip&Al »

Rich wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 3:02 pm
Chip&Al wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 3:46 am
Rich wrote: Thu Feb 04, 2021 2:39 am

This is relevant to my setup: Aspen E5, GNS530W/430W, KAP140, FS210, ACK E4 ELT (GPS input added), KT74 Transponder. Some of it is training on my part as much as checking the installation:

Aspen Checklist.docx
Appreciate you sharing! I’m going to customize for my Aspen/Avidyne’s install!
Added a few steps, as I realized at about 1:00 AM I wasn't exercising any VOR stuff.

Working in an ILS will have to wait until I have a safety pilot, as it'll require dealing with lots of traffic. The bad news is there is only one ILS within 100 miles. The good news is it has a DME arc.

Aspen Checklist.docx
Ha, gotta love those middle of the night realizations. I’ll try and upload my version with my Avidyne set up. I’m really looking forward to the Aspen. Do you the traffic/AoA unlock?
N506DS - Red & White 2002 DA40 - 40.206 - Powerflow - Aspen Evolution 2000 - Avidyne IFD540/440 - Lynx NGT9000
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Rich
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Rich »

Visited the shop this morning and not feeling particularly warm and fuzzy. For one thing they connected the EFD power to the main avionics bus instead of the essential bus as spelled out in the instructions and is the logical place to connect it in place of the original AI breaker.

And they removed the emergency battery switch altogether :scream: While the pole that fed the original AI should have been disconnected, removing the switch atogether not only disables the floodlight battery backup but disables the floodlight altogether. When I pointed this out, the technician said "What floodlight?" :tap:
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Steve
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Steve »

Rich:

That would be frustrating. Luckily, for the level of avionics work I have done on my airplane (so far), I have been able to accomplish it myself with my A&P/IA's supervision and sign-off. I have quite a bit of general electronics experience, and over the years, have accumulated most of the specialized tools (hole punches, crimpers, meters, scopes, etc.). All of my mods (although simpler than what you are attempting) have worked on the first try. I am getting ready to install an RC Allen electronic AI in my airplane. Since it has a built-in emergency battery, I simply planned to disconnect the aircraft emergency battery from that side of the Emergency Battery switch.

It was good thinking to check on their progress, though. Imagine if you had waited till they called you to come pick up the airplane, and discovered all of the mistakes then...

Steve
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