Harness

From the sounds of things, the wiring harness for my VP-200 system will be ready in about a week. I'm about 2 wks away from starting to "layin" wiring, won't be final for a while, but will allow for placement of all the goodies and basic harness finishing. I also ordered a bunch of DMC crimp tools today, and got my big box of wire from Stein at www.steinair.com. Should be fun stuff real soon!

Ram Air - Automation

For those that use Ram Air, one of the concerns is having it open when on the ground and bypassing the engine air cleaner thereby sucking up all the dirt and grit from the airport environment. I've determined that with the VP-200 system you could have a 4th Ray Allen servo control the Ram Air butterfly valve and then use the VP modes and rules to control when the Ram Air is on. For example, you could switch it on/off based upon a specific ground speed, or airspeed, of if you wanted you could switch it on/off at specific altitudes, or maybe even times of flight, etc. Within reason, the possibilities are endless. In my case, it only took using the 2nd servo control function on the second CU in a VP-200 system.

Canopy seal - Automatic version :)

All,

While you can go to the VP website (www.verticalpower.com) and see the schematic of how to hook up the Lancair Canopy seal pump to the VP-200. Im most instanced with a Legacy, it would still require a mechanical switch that switches the seal from atmosphere to the pump and vic-a-versa. I wanted a more automated solution and worked with Marc at VP to figure out the wiring. I also needed to source an "electronic" switch which I did with Parker's Pneutronics group.

The Part number of the switch is 003-0258-900
And here is the product page - electronics switch pump at Parker
In my case, its a 3 way, 24V switch that's good to 50psi. I has two wires on it. They are simply + and -. When you power the switch, it switches, when it's unpowered it goes back to either NC or NO depending on how your connected the hoses. Also, the one listed above uses 1/8" ID barbs which mate the hose material that is used in the Lancair Canopy seal.

Wiring to the VP box is actually 3 pins. 1 to power the pump (and it's associated pressure regulator switch - the 2 are in series with one another). Another wire will go to the parker switch, and finally, You take a wire off the pressure pump and run it back to one of the Active High inputs on the CU box. This in turn senses when the pump runs and provides a mechanism for annunciation.

I'll try to draw up a version in Cad, to better show this.

What this will give me over time (may not be in first releases of VP software), is the ability to control the canopy switch based upon flight modes, specific rules, etc. For example. I can have the VP-200 system turn on the canopy seal when in Taxi and flight modes, and turn it off when in preflight, startup, or shutdown modes. Plus I don't need yet another ugly switch on the panel or hidden somewhere. :)

Aint this stuff totally cool and all brought to you by the Magicians (my new word for them) at Vertical Power.... It's better than having a Co-Pilot, you don't have to tell them, or educate them on what to do!

Flap functions

Oooooo, as a side benefit. I sent my flap motor and limit switches to VP this week. They have confirmed and created a Lancair flap system drawing. Marc should get it up on their website soon. It's gonna be *soooo* nice. As the code matures, I'll end up with these features.

- single tap flap positions
- double click to go all the way down
- disable flaps above x speed
- auto trim input when flaps lowered
- reduced-speed flap retract on go-around
- auto-flap lowering at proper speeds

In my case, I use 2 outputs for the flap motor, the box controls the polarity to provide up and down to the motor. I use 2 inputs for the flap switch (up/dwn). I use 2 inputs for the all the way up, all the way down limit switches (the Lancair flap motor has *way* more throw than is needed, hence the limit switch setup). And then I have a Ray Allen position sensor so I get graphical readout on the VP Display.

Gonna be an excellent addition and I didn't have to buy any other items to have the above.

Final Version - VP Panel

Whew, ok, finally. Here is the final version! Now off to the cutter, powdercoater and silkscreener and then into my panel frame! NOTE, if you are working with Lancair Avionics, make sure you are working with Ray, he's a gem, and was extremely easy to work with as I changed my original panel design...

As a side note, wiring harness is off being made up. Target date for hardware is April. With this now out of the way, it's back to FWF work and other wiring tasks.... I can tell you already tho, this wiring is going to be *soo* much easier. I don't have to build a bloody buss system on the back of the panel at the breakers, and run all those little red wires to and from. Yea!

VP Panel Layout V2

This is pretty close to the last version. It still has a couple of quirks, and I'll updated once I finalize the last version. Image is clickable to get a larger version.

Latest version of Load Planning document V6

Ok, here is the latest (submitted as final for review) Load Planning worksheet. I've updated lengths, labels, sizes, etc. As a couple of points of reference. I've utilized all the trim servo positions. I've added support for the Lancair Flap motor and limit switches. I've used 4 serial inputs from the Co Detector, engine monitor, EFIS, and GPS. My version will utilize the EI MVP-50 which will be "blind mounted" behind the panel most likely in a swing down fashion during testing. Because I'm a 28V system, I've utilized the 12V regulated outputs where appropriate. I'm using LED based nav lights that only work on 12V for example. My Com/Nav radio utilized 2 power pins grouped together as one device. Other devices utilize 2 wires off one pin for powering 2 voltage inputs. These are documented in the LPW.

Harnesses from VP when delivered to customers will also have labels on each wire done with a laser etching. Mine will be good ole Masking tape labels I'm sure :)...

V6 LPW is here