ARINC Issues

[timfwalsh01]

Folks,

I have been chasing an issue with my Dynon ARINC for some time.  It has worked in the past with no problems.  I have been working with Tim Hass from Approach Stack, who manufactured the cables. 

For some reason my ARINC has now gone offline.  Went offline when I installed the radio, and the latest software. 

Since loading the latest software version, and installing the new Dynon Radio - my ARINC no longer shows up on the Dynon network.  The Dynon network shows all other Dynon devices, expect the ARINC.  I conducted a series of software loads, force loads (while loading the software, it did download the update for the ARINC).

The ARINC red light does stay on - blinking.  I did compare the red blinking light to the ADAHRS unit, the ADAHRS red light blinks at a faster pace. 

I purchased new network cables, and a network hub.  I changed the cables around with the other Dynon components, and they worked.

I did check the wiring, and confirmed they were in place.  I disconnected some of the other units to see if it was a power issues, and I had the aircraft on a battery charger (showed 12.5 volts).

Any ideas?  Thanks  Tim :'(

 

[Dynon]

So fundamentally that means that the module is operating and getting power, but is not fully communicating with SkyView. That usually means that some wire or wires aren't continuous. You should be able to take any SkyView network 9 pin and check for continuity against the one that ends up at the ARINC module. If that checks out, then there may be something up with the module, and we should take a look at it. One thing to look at on the ARINC SkyView Network connector is to verify that the pins are completely seated and "clicked" into place.

 

[timfwalsh01]

I have tried all the above, looks like I will be sending it back :-(  Tim

 

[timfwalsh01]

Finally figured it out 

When I turned on the Xponder, the ARINC module went offline.

After much checking, it appears that the transponder antenna was giving off too much RF energy. 

I placed the ARINC module in the nose, and the Xponder antenna in the rear of the aircraft (firewall on a Velocity).

Finally, all is working well  ;D

Tim

 

[taildrgr]

I have a strange problem with my ARINC module.  On my new installation, it was recognized on the network, and all software was updated.  However, when I am configuring the unit, it shows up as MODULE 2, and MODULE 1 is grayed out.  This is contrary to page 12-11 in the manual that says for one ARINC unit installed, MODULE 1 is the default.  Anyone know why my unit would default to MODULE 2?  My serial cable is connected to my secondary display and I am using the primary display to do my configurations, even though they are all interconnected.  Could that be the issue?

I don't know if it is related or not, but I cannot get my ARINC to talk to my GTN-650 either, even though I have wired and configured it exactly as in the manual p12-8 and 9.  Perhaps the ARINC is bad.  I see the xmit counter increasing, but no responses from the GTN.  I am wondering if the problem is that I have no GPS signal in my shop, but I didn't think that would affect the ability to communicate over the ARINC line.

Thanks

 

[Dynon]

When you say "serial cable", you mean that the ARINC module's SkyView connection (the 9 pin) goes to one display, and that display is connected to the other via a hub or direct SkyView Network (9 pin) connection, right? If so, they're all connected as designed, and that's not your issue.

Have you ever had a different ARINC module connected to your system? What do you see under the SkyView network status page?

 

[taildrgr]

Yes, I meant they are all connected using the SV network cables and also the Ethernet cable. I only have one ARINC and this was the first time the system was powered up. Also all my devices show up on the network page with no errors.

 

[Dynon]

So I touched based with our engineering team, and we have seen this before. It's complicated, but as far as the module itself goes and which module # you're assigned, that part is cosmetic. It doesn't necessarily imply that there's anything wrong with the ARINC module itself, though. As for the communication issue, not having GPS shouldn't completely inhibit communication, although you won't be able to verify complete end to end function without either a GPS lock + a waypoint, or a VOR that you can actually receive. (these show up on the HSI)

 

[taildrgr]

Ok, thanks. I will continue testing and verifying the wiring. Just wanted to make sure the ARINC was ok before I tear into all the wires.