Avionics

Re: Need operating manual for KLN 80 RNAV

Big Dog — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:15:01 -0500

https://www.bendixking.com/servlet/com.honeywell.aes.utility.PDFDownLoadServlet?FileName=/TechPubs/repository/006-08307-0004_4.pdf

A great unit. It was THE standard before GPS.

Need operating manual for KLN 80 RNAV

Aviation Law — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:08:27 -0500

Can someone please send me the link for the operating manual for a King KLN 80 RNAV. Thank you. DRB

Re: Replace ADF or get a GPS

Bart Mc — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:29:52 -0500

Think im going to hold off and wait for a GPS, Get a handheld for now and I can rent a very nice IFR 172 for the part of training that I have to file IFR for now. It has the Apollo 2001 in it that I was talking to my instructor about yesterday. I think im going to look for a transplant 430w system. Thanks for the input. So, im in the market for used 430 or similar at the moment.

wiring diagram primus 200 radar

Ian Rosewell — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:24:40 -0500

Does anyone have a wiring diagram or installation manual for the Primus 200 or know where I can get one. ( I need to bench test the cockpit display unit and cant work out which of the many pins on the connector is power)

Thanks
Ian
N6920B PA34-220T

Re: Selling my KX 175 B and KX 170

rosewellian — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:16:25 -0500

Yes, I have two KX175B with trays, one has a couple of knobs missing.

Let me know if you still need.

Ian

Re: Replace ADF or get a GPS

Tim Morrison — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:15:26 -0500

We dumped the ADF when we put in the first GPS (Apollo 2001) for panel space. The ADF wasn't reliable enough to use for real anymore. We could be well off the course and it said we were on. Anyway, NDB approaches are disappearing rapidly. Pretty soon, NOT having a GPS will be detrimental to resale if you are worried about putting more expensive avionics in the plane.

If you look at the precision of a GPS compared to an NDB approach, if you are going to really use the rating when you get it, you'd much rather be flying a GPS approach when you have to do it to mins.

The 2001 is in the closet still if interested.

Re: STEC 30 Autopilot drift

dan — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:54:40 -0600

I have an stec30 with a 530w gpss that overshoots the intercepted course and then comes back to it. Any ideas?

Re: Altimatic IIIc altitude hold

dbethel — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:03:06 -0600

Ron,

On an Arrow IV with the Altimatic IIIC installed it is mounted above the A/P amplifier in the rear of the aircraft. Look at the Battery and look up an aft. Its about 3" in Dia. has an electrical connector and a static line attached. It is held in place with two metal strap ( clamps). The aneroid is inside this unit. The Arrow has two static ports on either side of the rear fuselage that is solely for this transducer.

Re: King KCS-55A HSI system inaccurate readings

greg spark — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:04:10 -0600

I agree with Charles on all points,follow them closely. I do a resistance check of the Flux detector via the KA 51B remote compensator.The resistances should all be equal on the XYZ pins in any combination and the excitation coil should be significantly lower,none should be open. Compare to a new one before installing.If any of the XYZ pins have an odd resistance value compared to an adjacent leg suspect a resistive split pin at the flux detector or an open contact or open coil inside the flux detector. In a rough analogy each leg of the flux detector is responsible for up to 120 degrees of compass card rotation, with a fully broken wire,broken pin or open coil in the flux detector there can be a near normal reading on the HSI or up to 120 degrees of error,depending upon the angle the lines of flux are cutting across the flux detector/aircraft heading.if there is a report of 30 to 40 degrees or less suspect resistive contacts,as errors approach 120 degrees begin to suspect a broken wire,open coil or bad pin/socket contact. The KG 102A split pin contact retensioning will help also and is found on NOT so old aircraft. Helicopters are worse and -7 P/N HSI's are the ruggedized for them.Also /7 HSI have a bootstrap circuit for other devices that need XYZ heading info.

Re: GNS 530W Nav update

aerozahn — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:30:19 -0600

You downloaded and updated the card prior to it's effective date. Jeppeson makes the updates available a few days prior to the date they take effect.

I did the same thing a few days ago and called Jepp.

Once the effective date takes place, the "Expired" text turns from yellow to white and changes from "expired" to "expires".

Re: Purchasing a used Century NSD 1000 HSI - Feedback??

PilotKris — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:13:37 -0600

It's all electric and all in one unlike the King or the Sandel that need a remote gyro so it will be lighter. T

You will need a Nav Converter to use any HSI with the 12D and I wouldn't bother hooking it up the Northstar as its days are numbered (no support, no parts and hard to get database updates).

How much is it?
Have you considered the NSD360? Same unit but vacuum driven and way cheaper.

PilotKris

Re: Replace ADF or get a GPS

Gimble — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:26:44 -0600

I have a functional dual NAV/COM and ADF in my own plane. Prior to starting instrument training, I plan on pulling the ADF and installing a DME. I don't have the budget for a good GPS, and with ADFs becoming fewer and fewer, I want to do my IFR training with something that should still be useful in a couple of years.

With a sub-$1K (1 AMU) budget, replacing the ADF is probably your only option.

For <2 AMUs, you can probably get a used DME installed with some careful shopping. Or so I hope.

For 3-15 AMUs, you can get a GPS installed. < 8 AMUs, non-WAAS only. Of course, if you went for a 430/480/530, you can sell one of your NAV/COMs to partially offset the expense. Maybe if you're lucky get enough to pay for the necessary indicator.

Purchasing a used Century NSD 1000 HSI - Feedback??

Martin H — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:38:52 -0600

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Has anyone used or installed a Century 1000 HSI? What can you tell me about this HSI vs the Sandel or the King 525?

Yes this is electronic and includes Flux and Remote Gyro, bootstrap and slave cable.

Issues or advice?

What is it going in and what kind of avionics do I already have- if purchased?

1965 Cherokee 180C:
2 Narco 12D, GS on one, VOR on other
Century 1 AP
Northstar M3 GPS
ADF

I also just purchased a Garmin 496.

Thanks,

Martin

Re: Replace ADF or get a GPS

JimC — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:23:04 -0600

You can usually buy a servicable KR86 for about $300 (that's what I paid for my last one). It's usually cheaper than repairing them. If you do buy one, make sure it has the metal selector cams; the plastic ones get brittle and break (most common cause of failure in the 86).
JimC

Re: Replace ADF or get a GPS

velovp' — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:46:18 -0600

Trash the ADF. Get the GPS, WAAS if the budget can afford it. Too many good reasons to list why this is the better choice when factoring performance and mission capability.
Scott B
Sebastian, FL

Re: Replace ADF or get a GPS

PilotKris — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:23:38 -0600

The problem with ADFs is that they can turn into cantankerous money-pits.

The problem with GPS is that they are expensive to install as you need additional annunciators and CDI.

I'd say that if you can get the ADF working for less than $500, do it and buy yourself a good handheld GPS.

If you go the GPS route, you may find that a used GNS-430 may not be much more money than a less capable GPS (KLN-89b, KLN-90b or earlier Garmin unit) when you consider all the installation costs (430/530 are much easier to install). You can upgrade to WAAS at a later date.

If your home airport has an approach that requires ADF or GPS, you'll have to bite the bullet and do one or the other if you want to file IFR.

PilotKris

Replace ADF or get a GPS

Bart Mc — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:06:02 -0600

I just purchased a 1963 PA-28 150 b. It has dual vor's (one has an ILS) and an ADF that is inop I am just starting my instrument rating training and would like to use the plane to get my rating. My instructor said that If i got the ADF Fixed i could use it to file IFR because there is an NDB here that is part of the approach. (I dont really know what all that means yet). This plane is a decent plane low time etc... But its not that valuable that I want to invest a ton in avionics. So, my question is should i just try to find a replacemetn krs86 on ebay and do my training with the ils/adf or should i save my money and put that towards a TSO'ed GPS? if so is there a lower cost (relatively speaking) GPS that I should consider (Used or otherwise). I dont imagine I'll be filing IFR very often in the plane but would like to have that option.

Re: KLN 94 HELP!

Jim Hursey — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:25:49 -0600

The KLN-94 may be difficult to operate only If you are not familiar with the way King nav products work.

For me, I had a KLN-88 in my Tomahawk, so learning the 94 that came in my Arrow was a snap.

As with most avionics, the more you use it , the better you become at operating it.

Re: Loran Replacement

Gimble — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:18:11 -0600

In central CO, I've only ever met one pilot with a functional LORAN. He didn't use it because reception here was quite unreliable ("never get a fix" is the exact quote).

As a result, I won't miss LORAN in the least. I know others do.

I'm skeptical that the VOR system (as a whole) will be going away anytime soon. The military/airlines will at least keep major routes alive so that a GPS outage doesn't cause a service outage.

Although I do like the paint balloon idea.

Re: Artificial Horizon

houston21481 — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:07:59 -0600

Matt -

My failure occurred over the span of about 20 flight hours. It started off with the AI "sticking" - it was slow to return to a level flight indication after turns. Then, it began to tumble on descents. I went through the same thought process Joe suggests: vacuum was good, DG was rock solid. Overhaul of the AI took care of the problem.

Re: Altimatic III problem

sgansky — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:13:18 -0600

In the C/D model the amp is on the shelf forward of panel (and in the front luggage compartment).

Collecting service manuals can be a problem for avionics but check with Essco Aircraft and also on ebay with GeBe's Airplanes and Estates. The altitude module is just forward of the main console

Its a lot to figure out without test gear and spares to swap out.

Hope this helps

Re: KLN 94 HELP!

Frank L — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:33:57 -0600

Finally figured out how to use the KLN94 that came with my airplane - it is not user friendly IMHO.
In addition you have to buy a separate connection cable and have a laptop to upload data. Without the cable you can buy their package that is pretty spendy IMHO. One thing that seems to be good is the 4 updates you can get and use them over a 18 month period. Cost is 235.00 for those 4 updates. The cost of the cable is only from WIngman Services at $70.00. Total cost is over 300 bucks.

My Garmin 496 is much easier to use and the update is a snap.

Frank

Re: Altimatic IIIc altitude hold

DakotaDriver — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:59:02 -0600

I'm guessing it's in the same place as mine which is aft of the battery. It's a short coffee can looking thing laying on its side.

And to add a correction about Autopilots Central. It turns out they did do good work on the trim amp. It was the local avionics shop that had screwed things up. Since the local shop couldn't troubleshoot the problem they just blamed Autopilots Central. Lousy way to run a business but I'm thinkin' its all they were capable of doing.

Re: GNS 530W Nav update

Allan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:02:07 -0600

I've installed early without problems. Might want to call Jepp and get another download.

I had a download get corrupted a few months back. The tech support line was great and got me going.

Good luck,

Allan

Re: Garmin /UPS 480

Jack Oliphant — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:13:22 -0600

Brain, I saw your comment about having a GNS480 for sale on this Piper list. Do you still have the unit or know of one for sale?

TIA

Jack Oliphant
Fort Collins, CO
970 215-0899

Re: Loran Replacement

Dave Matlock — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:18:39 -0600

New ways to navigate, lets see...........We could drop balloons filled with different colored ink out the storm window at regular intervals while monitoring a police scanner. Hopefully the color of the ink will be part of the radio transmission when a police unit is dispatched which will allow us to more accurately plot our course by knowing where we were at a certain time and make adjustments accordingly. I understand cats will work in a pinch but they tend to resist being forced out the storm window during flight and all look alike once on the ground.

Re: Narco CP-136 Audio Panel Bulb Replacement

Ray Andraka — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:15:27 -0600

The lamps in the buttons are LEDs, which don't usually burn out. More likely, one of the two wires from the lamp to the circuit board have broken. Mine had broken wires on 5 of the 8 switches. The wires are small and flex each time the button is pressed or unpressed, and they eventually break at the solder joint. To fix it, you'll need to desolder the wires from either the lamp or the board depending on which end is broken, clean off the terminal, strip the end of the wire and resolder it. If it is for a certified aircraft, you can't legally do the repair yourself, it is an avionics shop repair.

The 3 lamps on the bottom of the board for back-lighting the legends are small incandescent lamps, as are the marker beacon indicator lamps. Those bulbs do eventually burn out.

Re: Altimatic IIIc altitude hold

Ron J Pearce — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:35:41 -0600

Hello friends I have had my Turbo Arrow4 for over twenty years and now have Alt hold pitching down and then pitching up,perhaps it is the Aneroid casel but where isit fitted on Turbo Arrow? need help Ron

Re: Loran Replacement

JimC — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:48:30 -0600

GLONASS

JimC

Re: Loran Replacement

Joespiper — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:23:06 -0600

As some have already commented, "Replaced mine with a CHART holder or whatever holder!
Wait until the Europeans get their SATS going, maybe they'll offer a better deal and the U.S. may think twice about eliminating systems that are economical, proven, and just plain work! I thought I'd vent for everybody :-)
After Loran, VOR's are on the chopping block as well, including NDB's.
The idea is to have only 7 ways to navigate.
1) GPS only
2) Compass only (still fun)
3) Visual by landmarks if you can see them (still fun)
4) By the stars (I'm not an astronaut or a fighter pilot)
5) By walkie-talkie only (without 1,2,3,& 4)
6) Do not navigate and stay in the pattern (ugh :-(
7) Stay on the tarmac or never leave the taxi way (ouch)

Weeeeeee!

If you know of more ways to navigate, lets get the list going :-)