[davidg]

I have an RV-10 with an IO540. I had the GTX33 upgraded to a GTX33ES to get the ADSB-OUT functionality and this needed a system reconfiguration. When that was done it seems to have corrupted many of the standard settings in the GEA77, for example MAP shows 39inHG, OP 10psi , FP 3psi (all cold with the engine off). Both the elevator and aileron trims are wrong, as is the flap position. The CHTs do look plausible but there is nothing indicated next to the EGTs.
Does anyone have a schedule of the default values that the loader card is supposed to send?
Thanks for any help...

 

[Plummit]

I have an RV-10 with an IO540. I had the GTX33 upgraded to a GTX33ES to get the ADSB-OUT functionality and this needed a system reconfiguration. When that was done it seems to have corrupted many of the standard settings in the GEA77, for example MAP shows 39inHG, OP 10psi , FP 3psi (all cold with the engine off). Both the elevator and aileron trims are wrong, as is the flap position. The CHTs do look plausible but there is nothing indicated next to the EGTs.
Does anyone have a schedule of the default values that the loader card is supposed to send?
Thanks for any help...

First off, what version of the software in your loader card? It sounds like you will need to go through the configuration again starting with the Airframe - engine group. Hopefully you can recover the fuel tank schedule so you won't have to do the fuel tanks again. Feel free to contact me as I just went through a similar exercise when one of my GIA63W units experienced a comm board failure.

-Marc
marcwhis at gmail

 

[davidg]

Hi Marc

Thanks for responding so quickly.

The system loader card was 218.19 but Garmin sent me a 218.20 (the current version) - so I have both. Unfortunately, despite running them several times, there are still obvious errors in data including the pressures and the trim/flap settings I mentioned previously. Garmin in UK can't help because the G900X is a very rare animal here and there is little to no experience with it - but a G1000 specialist has offered to talk me through manual calibration - of course I would need to know what the answers should be - hence why I asked if anyone had the default data set used to seed the system.

On the positve side, the fuel tank data does look plausible...!

Cheers.

 

[Plummit]

Hi Marc

Thanks for responding so quickly.

The system loader card was 218.19 but Garmin sent me a 218.20 (the current version) - so I have both. Unfortunately, despite running them several times, there are still obvious errors in data including the pressures and the trim/flap settings I mentioned previously. Garmin in UK can't help because the G900X is a very rare animal here and there is little to no experience with it - but a G1000 specialist has offered to talk me through manual calibration - of course I would need to know what the answers should be - hence why I asked if anyone had the default data set used to seed the system.

On the positve side, the fuel tank data does look plausible...!

Cheers.

First off the current US version of the software is 718.20. If you are in Europe, you may have a different version of software than we use in the U.S.

-Marc

 

[TLockard]

I have an RV-10 with an IO540. I had the GTX33 upgraded to a GTX33ES to get the ADSB-OUT functionality and this needed a system reconfiguration. When that was done it seems to have corrupted many of the standard settings in the GEA77, for example MAP shows 39inHG, OP 10psi , FP 3psi (all cold with the engine off). Both the elevator and aileron trims are wrong, as is the flap position. The CHTs do look plausible but there is nothing indicated next to the EGTs.
Does anyone have a schedule of the default values that the loader card is supposed to send?
Thanks for any help...

I did the same upgrade of the GTX 33 several years ago and did have some strange error messages after Installing it. I have version 718.19 and working with Tim the G3Xpert at Garmin USA we were able to get things straitened out. I do have the Floscan fuel flow sender and UMA sensors for OP, MP, and fuel pressure. I do know that the Floscan is the default sender for the software so nothing needs to be checked for that although when loading the software it doesn’t tell you that and only offers the FT-60 which will mess up fuel flow readings if using the Floscan unit. I don’t recall any flap or trim setting changes but if you do have to reload them it is fairly simple as you just have to run the trim to its limits and then tell the G-900X when it is full up or down. There isn’t any default values I know of for those indications.

Good luck getting things worked out.

Ted Lockard

 

[davidg]

Thank you Mark and Ted,

Ted, good to know the ES upgrade to the transponder wasn't just me, seems like it may be a common software error. There is something different that I'm not seeing though - you mentioned Floscan and FT-60 flow sensors - but I haven't seen any options like that. Also I haven't seen any place to enter different trim and flap settings. Do you remember where these might be found?

First off the current US version of the software is 718.20. If you are in Europe, you may have a different version of software than we use in the U.S.

-Marc

Sorry Mark,

That was a Typo - I have 718.19 (currently installed) and 718.20 (offered by Garmin) - AFAIK there are no differences between versions in Europe and in USA

 

[Plummit]

Thank you Mark and Ted,
the
Ted, good to know the ES upgrade to the transponder wasn't just me, seems like it may be a common software error. There is something different that I'm not seeing though - you mentioned Floscan and FT-60 flow sensors - but I haven't seen any options like that. Also I haven't seen any place to enter different trim and flap settings. Do you remember where these might be found?

Sorry Mark,

That was a Typo - I have 718.19 (currently installed) and 718.20 (offered by Garmin) - AFAIK there are no differences between versions in Europe and in USA

That sounds more like it. Unfortunately it's been my experience that trying to do an al-la-cart upgrade hasn't worked very well. I'm using the GDL88 for ADSB in and out (UAT). I did have my GIA63W comm board fail which required a rebuild by Garmin. When I got it back they required I re-configure the LRU. That led to a mis-configuration of my 1040 screens and config module, which all had to be replaced.

I also got the EIS gauges mis-configured and had to reload everything. I also lost my fuel tank calibration and my tach reverted to "0" time. I'm still working through it but using the basic settings for calibration finally got my EIS reading "normalized". I expect you will have to work your way through the system install and it may take some work.

-Marc

 

[TLockard]

Thank you Mark and Ted,

Ted, good to know the ES upgrade to the transponder wasn't just me, seems like it may be a common software error. There is something different that I'm not seeing though - you mentioned Floscan and FT-60 flow sensors - but I haven't seen any options like that. Also I haven't seen any place to enter different trim and flap settings. Do you remember where these might be found?

Sorry Mark,

That was a Typo - I have 718.19 (currently installed) and 718.20 (offered by Garmin) - AFAIK there are no differences between versions in Europe and in USA

The calibration procedure for trim and flaps is in the G-900X installation manual section 15.4.2 . I only had to perform it after the initial installation of the software but not on upgrades. If somehow it was lost with the ADSB installation it should be easy to re-do. If you don’t have access to the install manual I could describe the procedure for you.
The fuel flow sensor has to be selected when upgrading the software, but the Floscan is the default setting and doesn’t require selecting. There is a K- factor that comes with the flow sensor that has to be entered on a calibration page but again only on a initial install of the G-900X or if a new sensor has to be installed. I didn’t have any issues with the pressure senders like you are and as far as I know there is no calibration for them. I believe the normal ranges are set when you select the appropriate engine when loading the new software. The manual dose state that “ the Engine_Piston parameter sets all appropriate EIS display ranges and operating characteristics specific to the selected engine.”

Ted

 

[davidg]

Hi Ted,

Thanks for that. I have now managed to find the trim and flap calibration pages which looks straightforward.

The calibration procedure for trim and flaps is in the G-900X installation manual section 15.4.2 . I only had to perform it after the initial installation of the software but not on upgrades. If somehow it was lost with the ADSB installation it should be easy to re-do. If you don’t have access to the install manual I could describe the procedure for you.
The fuel flow sensor has to be selected when upgrading the software, but the Floscan is the default setting and doesn’t require selecting. There is a K- factor that comes with the flow sensor that has to be entered on a calibration page but again only on a initial install of the G-900X or if a new sensor has to be installed. I didn’t have any issues with the pressure senders like you are and as far as I know there is no calibration for them. I believe the normal ranges are set when you select the appropriate engine when loading the new software. The manual dose state that “ the Engine_Piston parameter sets all appropriate EIS display ranges and operating characteristics specific to the selected engine.”

Ted

Thanks for your thoughts.

I have started over and re-installed the current system files - 718.20 and configured everything there is to configure from the beginning all over again, the result is everything works correctly - except the three pressure sensors - which all overread exactly like they did before we started. Of course, we do now have a working GTX33ES giving ADSB OUT - not much of a consolation when we still can't fly the aircraft...

With the engine running these three all display numbers on the screen so it seems as if the sensors themselves are outputting something - although, as you mentioned, it does not seem possible to calibrate them individually, nor does it seem there are any alternative/option instruments - as I'm told there are with some G1000 variants. So I presume there must be a hardware issue somewhere in the system Maybe the GEA71...?. Unfortunately Garmin in UK don't have any experience with the G900X so fixing this looks quite a challenge.

Any ideas gratefully received.

davidg

 

[HarryL]

Might be worth talking to Alec Vincent of RGV Aviation at Staverton. As well as being a UK- based Garmin dealer, he has previously installed at least one G900X system in an RV.

 

[Plummit]

Hi Ted,

Thanks for that. I have now managed to find the trim and flap calibration pages which looks straightforward.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I have started over and re-installed the current system files - 718.20 and configured everything there is to configure from the beginning all over again, the result is everything works correctly - except the three pressure sensors - which all overread exactly like they did before we started. Of course, we do now have a working GTX33ES giving ADSB OUT - not much of a consolation when we still can't fly the aircraft...

With the engine running these three all display numbers on the screen so it seems as if the sensors themselves are outputting something - although, as you mentioned, it does not seem possible to calibrate them individually, nor does it seem there are any alternative/option instruments - as I'm told there are with some G1000 variants. So I presume there must be a hardware issue somewhere in the system Maybe the GEA71...?. Unfortunately Garmin in UK don't have any experience with the G900X so fixing this looks quite a challenge.

Any ideas gratefully received.

davidg

OK David, sounds like it should be no problem. Did you load the engine as one of the standard choices? Is it a IO540? There is only one choice for the injected engine. Did you load any optional sensors? Which pressure settings are not correct?
-Marc

 

[davidg]

Might be worth talking to Alec Vincent of RGV Aviation at Staverton. As well as being a UK- based Garmin dealer, he has previously installed at least one G900X system in an RV.

Hi Harry,

I have had several calls with Alec who I know quite well from previous experience. He is not only the best avionics guy I know but also couteous, polite and very helpful.

He has given me several potential leads but is at a loss to identify the problem at a distance. He is also on holiday next week...

Thanks for responding anyway.

 

[davidg]

OK David, sounds like it should be no problem. Did you load the engine as one of the standard choices? Is it a IO540? There is only one choice for the injected engine. Did you load any optional sensors? Which pressure settings are not correct?
-Marc

Hi Marc

It is indeed an IO-540 and it is loaded as the standard IO-540 option. The problem is with all three engine pressure sensors - MAP . OP . FP - I have no other optional sensors.

As a reminder, everything worked perfectly until I updated the config to change the GTX33 to a GTX33ES. I have even tried reverting back to the GTX33 and reconfguring again - but the fault remains...

 

[Plummit]

Hi Marc

It is indeed an IO-540 and it is loaded as the standard IO-540 option. The problem is with all three engine pressure sensors - MAP . OP . FP - I have no other optional sensors.

As a reminder, everything worked perfectly until I updated the config to change the GTX33 to a GTX33ES. I have even tried reverting back to the GTX33 and reconfguring again - but the fault remains...

If it were me, I would follow 4.2.1 of the manual: clear user settings by holding the Clr key when you apply power by closing the circuit breakers for the MFD and PFD. Then pull the breakers and install your Loader card in the PFD, boot up in config mode, then load the, Piston airframe: IO540 option, load the Engine electrical page, Flaps and trim; Calibration: Piston; Optioal sensors,etc. But I would have to know some basics info like; do you have electronic ignition? What kind of tach drive info? the fuel pressure will be set post loading in the Calibration chapter fuel page.

-Marc

 

[davidg]

Hi Marc,

Thanks for your continued help and support.

Basic info. The L/H mag is a Surefly electronic, the R/H mag is a Slick mechanical. I have no idea what kind of tach drive is used, presumably the same as any other IO-540?
As far as I know there are no optional sensors.
I couldn't find any reference to adjusting the fuel pressure calibration in Chapter 14. Is it elsewhere?
Thanks for your help. I am most grateful.

 

[Plummit]

Hi Marc,

Thanks for your continued help and support.

Basic info. The L/H mag is a Surefly electronic, the R/H mag is a Slick mechanical. I have no idea what kind of tach drive is used, presumably the same as any other IO-540?
As far as I know there are no optional sensors.
I couldn't find any reference to adjusting the fuel pressure calibration in Chapter 14. Is it elsewhere?
Thanks for your help. I am most grateful.

Hi David. The stock tach drive with 2 mags is the "6 cyl Bleed port. Basically you have a UMA sensor screwed into the mag and that's how the 900X gets it's RPM info. If your aircraft has 1 of each type of mags you need to look at the bleed port of the standard mag and see if there is a plug or a tach sensor.

The MAP will be loaded when you choose the engine and calibrations-Piston.

There a 2 sensors for fuel: Fuel pressure and fuel flow. On the injected engine the fuel pressure should be loaded with the engine or calibration - engine.

Fuel flow is on the fuel tank Calibration page. See picure 4-44 and 4-45.

-Marc

 

[davidg]

Hi David. The stock tach drive with 2 mags is the "6 cyl Bleed port. Basically you have a UMA sensor screwed into the mag and that's how the 900X gets it's RPM info. If your aircraft has 1 of each type of mags you need to look at the bleed port of the standard mag and see if there is a plug or a tach sensor.

The MAP will be loaded when you choose the engine and calibrations-Piston.

There a 2 sensors for fuel: Fuel pressure and fuel flow. On the injected engine the fuel pressure should be loaded with the engine or calibration - engine.

Fuel flow is on the fuel tank Calibration page. See picure 4-44 and 4-45.

-Marc

Thanks Marc,

It seems the pressure sensors in my aircraft are not the ones installed from the loader card as standard. They are all variants of the Kavlico P4055
P4055-150G for Oil press
P4055-50G for Fuel press
P4055-30A for Manifold press
Also, the Fuel Flow Transducer is an FT-60, again not the standard install but an option

Apparently these can be selected from a screen page marked: (see attached)
SYSTEM UPLOAD
(Step 3) Optional Sensors

My problem is this page doesn't seem to be mentioned anywhere in the manuals that I have seen so difficult to know where to find it...

Or is it just somewhere on the loader card?

 

[Plummit]

Thanks Marc,

It seems the pressure sensors in my aircraft are not the ones installed from the loader card as standard. They are all variants of the Kavlico P4055
P4055-150G for Oil press
P4055-50G for Fuel press
P4055-30A for Manifold press
Also, the Fuel Flow Transducer is an FT-60, again not the standard install but an option

Apparently these can be selected from a screen page marked: (see attached

 

[Plummit]

As you work your way through the upload you will come to that page. I loaded all the kavlico sensors but my EIS didn't work right. I then loaded the stock stuff and everything loaded properly. If you have the block of sensors on the engine side of the firewall, then you should try reloading the stock stuff.

-Marc