RV-10 Avionics: Part 1 - Panel Design & Avionics

[@paulchang336]

Been watch you for 2 years, just got my emp kit last week, now rewatching to follow along and comparey process with yours.

[@handcraftedtravels3580]

Looks like a great panel. Thanks for sharing.

[@ChrisVirgilio]

Glad you decided to go with the VPX. Can’t wait to see it all coming together.

[@crufflerdoug]

A battery powered G5 made my life MUCH less “exciting” one dark night in my RV-9A a few years ago. Long story. 😂 I’m a huge fan of that gadget. Totally agree that physical buttons and metal vents are preferable, and I still need to install the latter... Wish I had a setup that nice for my Mountain High gear! Terrific video.

[@gregoryhill1266]

Guil, excellent video. I am going to Oregon next week to pick up my fuselage and wings (RV-10) and hopefully will get my empennage around Memorial Day. I am planning my panel now with XPanel, I like some of your ideas. I really like your videos. Please keep up the good work!

[@bobwollard9105]

Great video! I've been watching for quite a while and you produce really fine videos. I particularly enjoyed the photo inserts of the individual instrumentation. Thanks a bunch for your clarity in describing the particulars of the panel layout.

[@miloswanson9646]

Well thought out!

[@europeter101]

Would love to see a video on your power distribution system design/redundancy and location of your batteries/relays etc.

[@EJWash57]

Nice prelim panel, Gil. Very clean. I believe simplicity is your friend. And, you're the first builder to explain that they are installing dual PFDs/MFDs because two pilots will be sharing the flying load. "Airliner" panels in experimental aircraft seems to be the new standard, although the reasoning is simply that it looks cool (eye-roll). Question: Do/can those G3s operate independently of one-another, info/data and power-wise? In my case, I can see going with two PFDs/MFDs screens if they can be independent of one-another, and having no need for the G5. Oh, does the "oh crud" feature get power from a hot-battery bus?

[@BuildFlyGo]

Yes and no. They can run independently but are both on the same CAN bus and running the same firmware versions. If one fails the other is unlikely to fail for the same reason but that is always a remote possibility. The G5 comes in to cover that edge case as it can be entirely independent from everything, even using its own built-in battery, gps, and ahars.

[@EJWash57]

@@BuildFlyGo Thanks. I have research to perform.

[@josbren8943]

Any particular reason you chose the G5 over the newer GI275 touch for your backup instrument? Obviously the 275 is more $.

[@TrippleAgent]

AWESOME video. You talked of possibly plumbing in a fuel line for an aux tank in the baggage compartment. Are you still doing that?

[@BuildFlyGo]

Yes it’s in place. I think I have details in one of the videos.

[@TrippleAgent]

@@BuildFlyGo ok I’ll have to go back and rewatch some!

[@LISRAREF]

Great explanation of the layout. Are you planning to add a cowl light as well? I know a few people have said there’s a blind spot on some layouts directly in front of the cowling. I’m just got the leading edge light kit and curious to see how yours turns out for my own planning later.

[@BuildFlyGo]

Not at this point. We have these lights on our -9A and we find the spill in front of the airplane is more than enough to see in front of us.

[@williambeckert9057]

I’m mid build working on the -10 fuel tanks and inventory of the fuselage kit. Love your videos. Am planning a similar panel using garmin as well. My plans haven’t made it to paper yet however. Are you doing the harnesses as well or having them done by third party.

[@BuildFlyGo]

I’m doing them myself and will be documenting the process in videos! :)

[@StepAttitude]

Really enjoyed your video and how you walked viewers through your decision process on your panel. Reminds me of the engineering development process. Regarding the use of a double pole double throw switch on your dual redundant battery system: that is most certainly creates a single point of failure. Also, electromechanical devices are significantly less reliable than solid state electronics. As a general comment, what types of switches are you using? There is a big difference in reliability between commercial and mil/aero grade switches - and a huge difference in price!

[@BuildFlyGo]

Yeah, I'm really thinking we might not double them up on the breaker. We are using Carling toggles, which seem to be what many of the panel builder shops are using as well. For the "oh crud" switch, it's a beefy milspec honeywell switch.

[@nickhager626]

Where did you source the lighted potentiometers for your cabin/panel lighting? Also like the red/white switch idea.....

[@BuildFlyGo]

@@nickhager626 I believe I got them from Mouser

[@neilrussell3259]

I just spent the last few months designing the panel for my RV-10. I have many questions and plenty to say, but I'll keep it short. 1) Do one of your IBBS's power the avionics? If so, that should take care of the "oh crud" scenario, at least for long enough to land. 2) How many AD-AHRS, besides the G5? 3) The notch in the panel for F-1040 would seem to preclude removing the panel after the plane is complete; do you think that's true? (I haven't built enough to know yet.)

[@neilrussell3259]

Also, I used OnShape to design the panel. It is also a single piece, with many similarities, and differences. Check it out here: cad.onshape.com/documents/db0353cb9918816a4e06b929/w/d620f5f3891c72a2e50e57e5/e/ad87319a871ab170e262d6ab?renderMode=0&uiState=6263a48a81cd3c3c1dd34b6a

[@Dragonrc.]

I was pondering a panel that you use only touch features, on the fence about it because we group up using that knob. I did all mine via key pad in the military and wish I could find a keypad to add to my plane that was in experimental price range. I hate the fact its touch screen and I never use the touch features, good video

[@BuildFlyGo]

We've been flying this same panel for a while now and are pretty happy with it. The touch functionality is very intuitive and the lip on the screens allow us to stabilize our hands if there is turbulence. I do like having buttons/knobs for simple and very used functions like the autopilot controls.

[@PeterDebusmann]

What switch did you use for the flaps?

[@BuildFlyGo]

The honeywell. Super pricey but it's the only one I found that didn't rotate.

[@BabaDka]

Thank you. I am still 'planning' a build but Avionics and Fiberglass still scare me.