D100 black on software 5.5 update

[semelton]

My FAA inspection is 10 days from now and I thought I would update the D100 software from 2008 vintage. Up to this point the D100 seemed to be working fine. I haven't flown yet. It has mag compass module connected. It does not have an internal battery. I downloaded 5.5 and tried the update but the software could not make a connection but the Dynon sceen turned yellow and said not to turn the power off. Well after several minutes I turn it off because the software said it could not detect the current version. I tired another usb port on my computer and got the same yellow screen on the D100. So, I powered the Dynon off again. After that the D100 would not power on and it has a black screen. I need some advice on how to proceed.

 

[Dynon]

This means that the EFIS can hear the computer, but the computer isn't hearing back from the EFIS. Two possible causes: One, the computer RX / EFIS TX side of the serial port isn't connected. The second possible cause is that the drivers that you're using for the USB-serial converter aren't working well with your PC. Where did your source yours from?

 

[semelton]

Yes, that's what I thought. It seems the EFIS can hear my computer. I bought my usb-serial at microcenter computer store. Looking at the installation manual, one other thing I could thing of is I have an SL30 that can transmit to the D100 or to a stand-alone HSI by a selection switch. I may have had that set to the D100 but I don't recall because I switch it a couple of times during attempts to load sw. Could that have corrupted the signal? Is there a master reboot sequence for the D100 to get it to power on?

 

[semelton]

Actually, I selected the option to detect the device of the D100. I never selected the option to load the 5.5 software. After some time the computer said it could not make the connection but the D100 was yellow and said not to turn off. After waiting ~30 minutes, I turned the D100 off. The D100 would not power back on. I killed it trying to make a connection. It's dead Jim!

 

[Dynon]

It's probably not dead. It might be in a state where it needs power fully disconnected/reconnected to bring it back up on master power. This may need to include the backup battery, which will require that you slide the D100 out of the tray to get at its access panel on its side.

 

[semelton]

This one doesn't have a backup battery. The avionics power switch totally disconnects the D100 from the bus. I think I did this unit in somehow trying to detect the device with the SL30 switch selected to the D100 display. I think that was the problem.

 

[semelton]

FAA inspection is Aug 6. So I don't want to pull the D100 before the inspector arrives. I believe I've made the decision to fly first flight without the D100 and simply use the backup analog gauges. I didn't have repair costs for the D100 budgeted.

 

[Dynon]

If it doesn't have a battery, you might try simply pulling the connectors off the back of the unit and plugging them back in to see if that changes things.

 

[semelton]

well, if you say so I'll give it a shot before I return the unit for repair. I don't understand how this could clear the D100 since the both aircraft master switch and avionics switch completely disconnects power to the D100.

 

[dynonsupport]

The isssue is if it has a keep alive wire, it may still have power, and disconnecting it takes that off.

If you never asked it to try and load 5.5, then it never sent a command to the system that could corrupt it, so it is reasonable to try some things before you send it in.

 

[semelton]

no joy on the D100 disconnect.  like Spock would say, " It's dead Jim ".    Appreciate the help on this forum.  I'll send the Dynon in after Phase I testing.  I'm shifting gears for first flight without the D100 and I will be looking out the window.  After 10 years since this project was started, I put the data plate on tonight and it felt good.

 

[semelton]

First two flights went well yesterday. Steam gauges were right on the numbers. The only problem I had was Cincinnati approach could not acquire my transponder Mode C since it comes from the Dynon. Since I am inside the Mode C ring I will need to send the D100 in to have it flashed to get it on-line for future flight testing.

 

[dynonsupport]

If your altitude encoding is not working it is a wiring or configuration issue, not a software update issue. The D100 has done altitude encoding since the first software version.

We must also note here that it is not legal to operate a transponder until a shop has certified it, even in an experimental (FAR 91.413). This would have checked for operation of your altitude reporting before you went flying.

What transponder are you using?

 

[semelton]

The transponder was checked before I attempted to upload D100 software. It checked. My software upload attempt rendered the D100 unusable for first flight. I had forgotten that the transponder altitude encoding comes from the D100. It's on it's way to Dynon to be repaired before further flight. I believe the service charge is $250. The next time I attempt a D100 software upload I will pull the GPS and SL30 breakers. Expensive lesson learned.

 

[Dynon]

Units that end up back here because of a failed software update are in a bit of a gray area in terms of warranty/repair charge applicability. We need to think about the general case more, but we'll waive your repair fee in this case (I've already noted it in our system; you don't need to call).

 

[semelton]

Awesome!

 

[Roger_Lee]

A customer of mine went black after the 5.5 update and it said the upload was successful. It was 5 years old and cost $250 to have Dynon fix it.