Possible Aspen installation

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Rich
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Possible Aspen installation

Post by Rich »

After thrashing around a bit, I'm seriously considering the Aspen E5 (plus ACU, of course), as it basically ticks off all my boxes. However, the various publications leave me with a number of questions. A few are installation details and some are a bit more operationally important. I know we have some experience here. Background: My '02 has what the AMM refers to as the "small" panel, which was standard from '02 to sometime in '04. Navigators are 530W/430W, A/P is KAP 140. Transponder is KT74 and I have the KC55A HSI system. So:

1. What sort of downgraded behavior might I expect when the 530W is unavailable? I have had to pull the unit twice for service by Garmin. They have always turned it around fairly quickly but in its absence the only thing I lose is NAV capability in the HSI and therefore NAV coupling to the A/P. All other functions still fully operative. (These days I would also lose ADS-B out, but that's a side issue).
2. What is the presentation for GS guidance when on ILS, LPV, LP+V, etc.? I can't seem to find this in the publications.
3. There is some indication the E5 can provide altitude encoding. This seems attractive, since removing the existing encoder would open up some room behind my panel for the ACU and CM. But the encoder currently feeds BOTH the A/P and KT74. Can the E5 do this?
4. Outside of no. 3, where are the likely locations for the CM and ACU in such a DA40?
5. Where is the best location for the RSM? It's attractive to put it in the existing magnetometer location, but what has been done in the past?
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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Rich
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Rich »

OK, figured out the glideslope deal. Not really in love with this but it's pretty commonplace these days to use those innocuous little diamonds. But it is cool to stick it onto the AI subscreen :thumbsup:
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 »

I’ll be installing an Aspen system in my DA40 in just a couple months...happy to give you a PIREP after! I will say their customer support has been pretty great with any question I’ve had for them!
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Rich
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Rich »

I think the "Advanced E5" option will be available with the GNS530W, but that's yet another question.

I have a friend with a similar plane (though he's gone the IFD route) who's removing a G5 (hacked install - don't ask) and going the Aspen route, but I don't know which level just now. The E5 got significant goodies since its original introduction which makes it really attractive.
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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Rich
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Rich »

My friend I referred to has been told by his shop that the Aspen won't do the GPSS thing with a KAP140. Does anyone have experience with this? It sort of looks like it would work.
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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blsewardjr
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by blsewardjr »

Rich- See this thread -- viewtopic.php?p=46290#p46290 for at least one reported DA40 with Aspen GPSS working. Re the RSM, in my research I found that the RSM contains the magnetometer, the GPS antenna and an OAT sensor. I know of one DA40 where they put it in the wing. The magnetometer worked, the OAT worked (sort of, since it was inside the wing). Not sure if the GPS antenna worked but you might be able to split it off. The founder of Foreflight put the RSM in a special housing on the fuselage --https://aspenavionics.wordpress.com/cat ... tallation/
Bernie Seward, IR, AGI
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KCHO Charlottesville, VA
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Rich
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Rich »

blsewardjr wrote: Sun Dec 06, 2020 7:46 pm Rich- See this thread -- viewtopic.php?p=46290#p46290 for at least one reported DA40 with Aspen GPSS working. Re the RSM, in my research I found that the RSM contains the magnetometer, the GPS antenna and an OAT sensor. I know of one DA40 where they put it in the wing. The magnetometer worked, the OAT worked (sort of, since it was inside the wing). Not sure if the GPS antenna worked but you might be able to split it off. The founder of Foreflight put the RSM in a special housing on the fuselage --https://aspenavionics.wordpress.com/cat ... tallation/
I thought I had read that about the GPSS. Thanks.

I'm thinking the OAT would be accurate enough, though somewhat slow to react to changes. I still have the original AOT to deal with such conditions. I do know the wing skin reacts very quickly to changes in AOT based on observing accumulation/shedding of rime ice. I have a bracket in mind that should be pretty good at relaying the temperature of the lower wing skin to the RSM. This would be for displaying TAS. The install manual itself doesn't offer any other good options for mounting.

From reading the install manual the E5 RSM apparently relies on the navigator for GPS, which is fine by me.
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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Rich
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Rich »

Another thing that could improve OAT response being mounted in my wing is that I have 40-gal tanks. That means there is vary little mass (like fuel) anywhere near to affect the reading.
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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Lance Murray
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Lance Murray »

Rich,

I have had the EFD1000 Pro Max installed for years. The boxes are in the old KCS55A location and the RSM is where the Com 1 antenna is located. The com 1 antenna is on the belly now where the DME antenna would have been installed if I had one. Now that I remember maybe my comm antenna was moved because of the TAS600 antenna. I don't remember exactly. If you need more info I can get it to you.
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Rich
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Re: Possible Aspen installation

Post by Rich »

Lance Murray wrote: Sun Dec 06, 2020 9:43 pm Rich,

I have had the EFD1000 Pro Max installed for years. The boxes are in the old KCS55A location and the RSM is where the Com 1 antenna is located. The com 1 antenna is on the belly now where the DME antenna would have been installed if I had one. Now that I remember maybe my comm antenna was moved because of the TAS600 antenna. I don't remember exactly. If you need more info I can get it to you.
Is the RSM mounted internally? That would seem to compromise the OAT function - or does it? The current installation for the E5 really limits the possible locations for it. Any info you could provide would be helpful. A picture, especially.
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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