Skyview startup screens, interfacing with TXP/GPS

[Stubbleducker]

Howdy, folks! First post here (but lurked for a while). Just completed helping a friend build an AirCam with a Skyview 700. Started everything last night for the first time and 98% worked the first time!!!
However, a couple issues with the Skyview remain. Have searched through the archives and the wiki and despite all the wealth of information haven't seen exactly what I'm looking for...

Relavent avionics: Skyview 700, Garmin TXP-330, Garmin SL-40 com, and Garmin 396 GPS, AHARS (but no SV-250 GPS or EMS - not available for dual engines yet).

1) When powering up the Skyview, about every other time half the screen remains dark and half has multi-color lines like the old TV test pattern. Cycling the avionics master typically will fix the problem, but don't like the idea of cycling the avionics master twice every startup sequence as a normal thing. System voltage is normal - 11.75 volts or 13.75 when engines running.

2) GPS not displaying on Skyview. From the wiki I found that you can't have both Garmin RS-232 outputs hooked up, so that's part of the problem. It's setup in the Skyview as "Garmin 396", have tried setting to "POS1" and "GPS 1" but neither worked. Will also verify that the 396 itself has it's output settings set up to send correctly (found that online this morning as well).

3) TXP-330 Transponder - we're planning on using the Mode-C out of the AHARS unit. It's wired to the Skyview and we've got serial port#1 TX  (DB37 Pin 4) connected to the TXP pin 24 (RS-232 in). The manual makes it sound like there is another converter needed, but the avionics supplier said it should be wired just like that. If wired like this is correct, do we still configure per pg 10-12 of the Skyview manual "Device in:NONE, Function in:None, Buad: 1200, OutDevice: Dynon" ?

Thanks so much for the assistance.

Finally, WHAT AN AWESOME PRODUCT!!!! I work in the avionics field back in the mid-90s when EFIS systems were limited to high-end jets and Beech Starships. Who'd have ever thought that something like this would be available for folks in the homebuilt industry?

 

[mmarien]

Re: Skyview startup screens, interfacing with TXP/

I agree - awsome product.

I have the Dynon GPS hooked up plus my 495. The Dynon GPS is a POS1 device and the 495 is a GPS1 device. The 495 drives the HSI while the Dynon GPS only supplies position information for the synthetic vision. It doesn't output the NMEA data required to drive the HSI. Make sure that your 395 is outputing NMEA data. I believe it will supply NMEA data for both position and course. The baud rate is 9600 on the 495 but could be different on the 395. Both settings are on the Setup->Interface tab of the 395/495.

I have a Garmin GTX327 transponder. A single wire from any of the five Skyview TX ports to the RX of the transponder is all that is required. On my setup, Skyview is outputing ICARUS and the GTX327 is inputing ICARUS. Check the setting in your transponder to see what it will accept. ICARUS is a standard format. The Dynon Converter data is if your transponder doesn't accept RS232 data and you have the Encoder Converter Module (grey code wiring) which your avionics supplier says you don't need. I can't find your model on the Internet so can't confirm that.

You can check if the transmissions are working on the Skyview Setup Menu->Local Screen Setup->Serial Port Setup. Check the counters for failures, etc. The GTX327 also displays RS232 data received. See if your transponder will display the data it's receiving.

 

[Stubbleducker]

Re: Skyview startup screens, interfacing with TXP/

Thanks! I'll try those settings out tonight and see how they work out. I appreciate the advice!

 

[Stubbleducker]

Re: Skyview startup screens, interfacing with TXP/

Sweet! datalinks are talking back and forth and everybody looks happy! Thanks for the hints!

Only two issues remain:

1) Black screen occaisionally on startup - sounds like others are having this issue to in another thread...

2) Backup battery – According to the manual, "if you turn off a display that is connected to a backup battery, it will stay on for an additional moment with a message that says “POWERING DOWN IN xx SECONDS.” If you clear this message by pressing CLEAR, the display, and thus, the system will stay on."

What we're seeing is, if the backup battery is disconnected, the Dynon shuts down with the avionics master. With the backup battery hooked up, shutting down the avionics master and even the AC master switch has no effect on the Dynon - it just continues running without the "Powering Down" message. Is there a setting somewhere that I need to change to actually make it power down and not run on backup battery when power is turned off?

 

[thibault]

Re: Skyview startup screens, interfacing with TXP/

The change in power down behavior that you discussed would mean that while you were flying, anytime the input power was removed, the system would immediately shut down. The backup battery would only power the system if you then turned it back on manually.

Personally I would rather not lose anything while the system is running. A notice that input power was lost is preferable. If you really want the system to shut down at that point, just do nothing and it will. Also, if you want the system to shut down immediately, use button 1.

 

[Stubbleducker]

Re: Skyview startup screens, interfacing with TXP/

I guess I'm not making it clear...

I'm not necessarily wanting an immediate shutdown... I'm just not seeing the "system shutting down in XX seconds" message when main power is lost, giving the option of shutting down or hitting CLEAR to go to battery backup mode. It just automatically goes to battery backup mode without any indication.

I guess hitting button 1 is a valid option, but it's not what I expect from the install/user manual.

 

[dynonsupport]

Re: Skyview startup screens, interfacing with TXP/

We are working on the issue that causes the system to not always fully boot. Pressing buttons 1,2,5 simultaneously to force the screen to reboot normally solves this.

As for the battery issue, you should be seeing the timer countdown when power goes away. One thing we can use as a troubleshooting tool is the SETUP MENU>LOCAL SCREEN SETUP>SCREEN HARDWARE INFORMATION page. What are voltage, battery status, charging, and internal voltages reporting before and after you flick the master switch off (turn master off while in this menu)?