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Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

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Matt Dralle
Site Admin

Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25781
Location: Livermore CA USA

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:08 pm Post subject: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

At 01:24 PM 3/18/2014 Tuesday, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



Hi folks,



Just wanted to put a post out there to be sure the news is on Matronics that the Vertical Power product line was purchased by Astronics Ballard Technology in Everett, WA, and I am the new customer support rep, based in Oshkosh, WI. Marc Ausman is working with me during the transition to get me up to speed on support issues and if you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me at 425-328-1658 or 920-216-3699. Email is support(at)verticalpower.com



--------

Chad Jensen

Vertical Power Support

RV-7, built, flown, sold


	


Great to see you on the List, Chad.  I have a VP-200 in my RV-8 and another one in my RV-6.  Absolutely love them.  I can't imagine flying without the electrical automation features of the VP-200 specifically.  Will Astronics be working on a new version of the VP-200 with those automation features?  Marc had said that they were going to add them to the VP-300/400 models, but I understand that Astronics won't be carrying those models.  



For me, the real utility and strength in the Vertical Power products is/was the automation.  If I were in the market for a new experimental electrical system, I'm not sure I'd be all that interesting in the VP-x, but I'd buy another VP-200 in a heartbeat.



Please keep us up to date on Astronics' current and future product updates.



Big Fan of Vertical Power Products,

-

Matt Dralle



RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen"

http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log

http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log

http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel

Status: 172+ Hours TTSN - Rebuilding Fuselage After Landing Mishap...



RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer"

http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log

Status: 180+ Hours Since Purchase - Upgrades Complete; Now In Full Flyer Mode



Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream!

Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore

Airport.  Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions.  Archives too!

For entertainment purposes only.  http://klvk.matronics.com

_________________
Matt Dralle
Matronics Email List Administrator

Matt Dralle
Site Admin

Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25781
Location: Livermore CA USA

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:08 pm Post subject: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

At 01:24 PM 3/18/2014 Tuesday, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



Hi folks,



Just wanted to put a post out there to be sure the news is on Matronics that the Vertical Power product line was purchased by Astronics Ballard Technology in Everett, WA, and I am the new customer support rep, based in Oshkosh, WI. Marc Ausman is working with me during the transition to get me up to speed on support issues and if you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me at 425-328-1658 or 920-216-3699. Email is support(at)verticalpower.com



--------

Chad Jensen

Vertical Power Support

RV-7, built, flown, sold


	


Great to see you on the List, Chad.  I have a VP-200 in my RV-8 and another one in my RV-6.  Absolutely love them.  I can't imagine flying without the electrical automation features of the VP-200 specifically.  Will Astronics be working on a new version of the VP-200 with those automation features?  Marc had said that they were going to add them to the VP-300/400 models, but I understand that Astronics won't be carrying those models.  



For me, the real utility and strength in the Vertical Power products is/was the automation.  If I were in the market for a new experimental electrical system, I'm not sure I'd be all that interesting in the VP-x, but I'd buy another VP-200 in a heartbeat.



Please keep us up to date on Astronics' current and future product updates.



Big Fan of Vertical Power Products,

-

Matt Dralle



RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen"

http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log

http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log

http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel

Status: 172+ Hours TTSN - Rebuilding Fuselage After Landing Mishap...



RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer"

http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log

Status: 180+ Hours Since Purchase - Upgrades Complete; Now In Full Flyer Mode



Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream!

Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore

Airport.  Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions.  Archives too!

For entertainment purposes only.  http://klvk.matronics.com

_________________
Matt Dralle
Matronics Email List Administrator

Matt Dralle
Site Admin

Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25781
Location: Livermore CA USA

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:08 pm Post subject: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

At 01:24 PM 3/18/2014 Tuesday, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



Hi folks,



Just wanted to put a post out there to be sure the news is on Matronics that the Vertical Power product line was purchased by Astronics Ballard Technology in Everett, WA, and I am the new customer support rep, based in Oshkosh, WI. Marc Ausman is working with me during the transition to get me up to speed on support issues and if you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me at 425-328-1658 or 920-216-3699. Email is support(at)verticalpower.com



--------

Chad Jensen

Vertical Power Support

RV-7, built, flown, sold


	


Great to see you on the List, Chad.  I have a VP-200 in my RV-8 and another one in my RV-6.  Absolutely love them.  I can't imagine flying without the electrical automation features of the VP-200 specifically.  Will Astronics be working on a new version of the VP-200 with those automation features?  Marc had said that they were going to add them to the VP-300/400 models, but I understand that Astronics won't be carrying those models.  



For me, the real utility and strength in the Vertical Power products is/was the automation.  If I were in the market for a new experimental electrical system, I'm not sure I'd be all that interesting in the VP-x, but I'd buy another VP-200 in a heartbeat.



Please keep us up to date on Astronics' current and future product updates.



Big Fan of Vertical Power Products,

-

Matt Dralle



RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen"

http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log

http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log

http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel

Status: 172+ Hours TTSN - Rebuilding Fuselage After Landing Mishap...



RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer"

http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log

Status: 180+ Hours Since Purchase - Upgrades Complete; Now In Full Flyer Mode



Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream!

Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore

Airport.  Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions.  Archives too!

For entertainment purposes only.  http://klvk.matronics.com

_________________
Matt Dralle
Matronics Email List Administrator

Matt Dralle
Site Admin

Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25781
Location: Livermore CA USA

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:09 pm Post subject: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

At 01:24 PM 3/18/2014 Tuesday, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



Hi folks,



Just wanted to put a post out there to be sure the news is on Matronics that the Vertical Power product line was purchased by Astronics Ballard Technology in Everett, WA, and I am the new customer support rep, based in Oshkosh, WI. Marc Ausman is working with me during the transition to get me up to speed on support issues and if you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me at 425-328-1658 or 920-216-3699. Email is support(at)verticalpower.com



--------

Chad Jensen

Vertical Power Support

RV-7, built, flown, sold


	


Great to see you on the List, Chad.  I have a VP-200 in my RV-8 and another one in my RV-6.  Absolutely love them.  I can't imagine flying without the electrical automation features of the VP-200 specifically.  Will Astronics be working on a new version of the VP-200 with those automation features?  Marc had said that they were going to add them to the VP-300/400 models, but I understand that Astronics won't be carrying those models.  



For me, the real utility and strength in the Vertical Power products is/was the automation.  If I were in the market for a new experimental electrical system, I'm not sure I'd be all that interesting in the VP-x, but I'd buy another VP-200 in a heartbeat.



Please keep us up to date on Astronics' current and future product updates.



Big Fan of Vertical Power Products,

-

Matt Dralle



RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen"

http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log

http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log

http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel

Status: 172+ Hours TTSN - Rebuilding Fuselage After Landing Mishap...



RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer"

http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log

Status: 180+ Hours Since Purchase - Upgrades Complete; Now In Full Flyer Mode



Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream!

Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore

Airport.  Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions.  Archives too!

For entertainment purposes only.  http://klvk.matronics.com

_________________
Matt Dralle
Matronics Email List Administrator

Matt Dralle
Site Admin

Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25781
Location: Livermore CA USA

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:57 am Post subject: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

At 05:24 PM 3/20/2014 Thursday, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



Why did I want the -200? For the same reasons Matt cited.  I just

don't see the benefit of merely replacing some circuit breakers that

is essentially the role of the VP-X.


	




I think the biggest downfall of the VP-200 was that potential customers didn't really understand just how *awesome* the automation functionality is and how it really works.  Many times at fly-ins or other events where I've had an opportunity to show off the VP-200, fellow homebuilders are in awe of the automation after I've take a few minutes to explain just how it works and how it significantly reduces my workload during the various phases of flight.  The fact that the VP-200 knows, based on GPS/RPM/AHRS data exactly what mode of flight that I'm in - Start/Taxi/Runup/Takeoff/Cruse/Landing - and switches on or off the electrical circuits that I've pre-programmed for each mode of flight is simply genius.  Not only is the concept certainly revolutionary in the market, but the VP-200's implementation of it just works and works great.  The only external input that is missing to the logic, IMHO, is the determination of Day vs. Night.  I have to manually turn the position lights on.  It seems like either the input from the exiting dimmer electric eye or from some sort of real time clock could make this happen.



Ralph's idea of adding automation to the VP-x though the use of an external embedded processor and display is a good one.  Maybe when I get the RV-8 back in the air, I'll start working on something along those lines... 



Best regards,

-

Matt Dralle



RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen"

http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log

http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log

http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel

Status: 172+ Hours TTSN - Rebuilding Fuselage After Landing Mishap...



RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer"

http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log

Status: 200+ Hours Since Purchase - Upgrades Complete; Now In Full Flyer Mode



Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream!

Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore

Airport.  Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions.  Archives too!

For entertainment purposes only.  http://klvk.matronics.com

_________________
Matt Dralle
Matronics Email List Administrator

Matt Dralle
Site Admin

Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25781
Location: Livermore CA USA

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:57 am Post subject: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

At 05:24 PM 3/20/2014 Thursday, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



Why did I want the -200? For the same reasons Matt cited.  I just

don't see the benefit of merely replacing some circuit breakers that

is essentially the role of the VP-X.


	




I think the biggest downfall of the VP-200 was that potential customers didn't really understand just how *awesome* the automation functionality is and how it really works.  Many times at fly-ins or other events where I've had an opportunity to show off the VP-200, fellow homebuilders are in awe of the automation after I've take a few minutes to explain just how it works and how it significantly reduces my workload during the various phases of flight.  The fact that the VP-200 knows, based on GPS/RPM/AHRS data exactly what mode of flight that I'm in - Start/Taxi/Runup/Takeoff/Cruse/Landing - and switches on or off the electrical circuits that I've pre-programmed for each mode of flight is simply genius.  Not only is the concept certainly revolutionary in the market, but the VP-200's implementation of it just works and works great.  The only external input that is missing to the logic, IMHO, is the determination of Day vs. Night.  I have to manually turn the position lights on.  It seems like either the input from the exiting dimmer electric eye or from some sort of real time clock could make this happen.



Ralph's idea of adding automation to the VP-x though the use of an external embedded processor and display is a good one.  Maybe when I get the RV-8 back in the air, I'll start working on something along those lines... 



Best regards,

-

Matt Dralle



RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen"

http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log

http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log

http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel

Status: 172+ Hours TTSN - Rebuilding Fuselage After Landing Mishap...



RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer"

http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log

Status: 200+ Hours Since Purchase - Upgrades Complete; Now In Full Flyer Mode



Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream!

Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore

Airport.  Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions.  Archives too!

For entertainment purposes only.  http://klvk.matronics.com

_________________
Matt Dralle
Matronics Email List Administrator

Matt Dralle
Site Admin

Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25781
Location: Livermore CA USA

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:57 am Post subject: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

At 05:24 PM 3/20/2014 Thursday, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



Why did I want the -200? For the same reasons Matt cited.  I just

don't see the benefit of merely replacing some circuit breakers that

is essentially the role of the VP-X.


	




I think the biggest downfall of the VP-200 was that potential customers didn't really understand just how *awesome* the automation functionality is and how it really works.  Many times at fly-ins or other events where I've had an opportunity to show off the VP-200, fellow homebuilders are in awe of the automation after I've take a few minutes to explain just how it works and how it significantly reduces my workload during the various phases of flight.  The fact that the VP-200 knows, based on GPS/RPM/AHRS data exactly what mode of flight that I'm in - Start/Taxi/Runup/Takeoff/Cruse/Landing - and switches on or off the electrical circuits that I've pre-programmed for each mode of flight is simply genius.  Not only is the concept certainly revolutionary in the market, but the VP-200's implementation of it just works and works great.  The only external input that is missing to the logic, IMHO, is the determination of Day vs. Night.  I have to manually turn the position lights on.  It seems like either the input from the exiting dimmer electric eye or from some sort of real time clock could make this happen.



Ralph's idea of adding automation to the VP-x though the use of an external embedded processor and display is a good one.  Maybe when I get the RV-8 back in the air, I'll start working on something along those lines... 



Best regards,

-

Matt Dralle



RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen"

http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log

http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log

http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel

Status: 172+ Hours TTSN - Rebuilding Fuselage After Landing Mishap...



RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer"

http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log

Status: 200+ Hours Since Purchase - Upgrades Complete; Now In Full Flyer Mode



Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream!

Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore

Airport.  Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions.  Archives too!

For entertainment purposes only.  http://klvk.matronics.com

_________________
Matt Dralle
Matronics Email List Administrator

Matt Dralle
Site Admin

Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25781
Location: Livermore CA USA

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:57 am Post subject: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

At 05:24 PM 3/20/2014 Thursday, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



Why did I want the -200? For the same reasons Matt cited.  I just

don't see the benefit of merely replacing some circuit breakers that

is essentially the role of the VP-X.


	




I think the biggest downfall of the VP-200 was that potential customers didn't really understand just how *awesome* the automation functionality is and how it really works.  Many times at fly-ins or other events where I've had an opportunity to show off the VP-200, fellow homebuilders are in awe of the automation after I've take a few minutes to explain just how it works and how it significantly reduces my workload during the various phases of flight.  The fact that the VP-200 knows, based on GPS/RPM/AHRS data exactly what mode of flight that I'm in - Start/Taxi/Runup/Takeoff/Cruse/Landing - and switches on or off the electrical circuits that I've pre-programmed for each mode of flight is simply genius.  Not only is the concept certainly revolutionary in the market, but the VP-200's implementation of it just works and works great.  The only external input that is missing to the logic, IMHO, is the determination of Day vs. Night.  I have to manually turn the position lights on.  It seems like either the input from the exiting dimmer electric eye or from some sort of real time clock could make this happen.



Ralph's idea of adding automation to the VP-x though the use of an external embedded processor and display is a good one.  Maybe when I get the RV-8 back in the air, I'll start working on something along those lines... 



Best regards,

-

Matt Dralle



RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen"

http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log

http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log

http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel

Status: 172+ Hours TTSN - Rebuilding Fuselage After Landing Mishap...



RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer"

http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log

Status: 200+ Hours Since Purchase - Upgrades Complete; Now In Full Flyer Mode



Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream!

Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore

Airport.  Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions.  Archives too!

For entertainment purposes only.  http://klvk.matronics.com

_________________
Matt Dralle
Matronics Email List Administrator

Mike Whisky

Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 336
Location: Switzerland

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

Matt, I am with you the VP-200 is awesome I touch only engine and flight controls trim and flaps. The rest is done by the VP-200

Great Product I still don't understand why they dropped it. 

Mike

_________________
RV-10 builder (flying)
#511

Jim Berry

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 237
Location: Denver

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 9:33 am Post subject: Re: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

Matt,



On this tread I received 3 copies of your first message and 4 copies of the second message, each with the same time stamp. Is this an issue on your end or mine? Thanks

rv10flyer(at)live.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 9:47 am Post subject: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

There was so many more ways to improve the 200 with "future software" 

releases. By ending the production and moving on to "more simple" they 

really took their flagship out of the company. My hope is that they bring 

out a newer version with everything it is capable of, so others do not miss 

out on a asset in the panel.





--

dmaib@me.com

Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 454
Location: New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

I agree with Matt that people generally were not aware of everything the VP-200 gives you. I like the auto mode switching function, but equally, if not more important to me, is the ability to easily get detailed information on virtually every electrical component in your airplane. If a light bulb quits working, you will know immediately that it is not working, which one it is, and have a pretty good idea of the nature of the fault. Pretty nice to have that info about every electrical component on the airplane. The ability to automatically load shed in the event of an alternator failure is pretty nice, as well. Change from incandescent bulbs to HID or LED? A few key strokes sets your electronic circuit breakers to the new values. Add some of the improvements that came along before the demise of the VP-200, such as trim speed control and runaway trim protection, the Climate Control Module for those of us with air conditioning, Gretz heated pitot system annunciation, electronic check lists, cabin altitude warning, etc., etc., etc., and I can say that I would not be happy to lose my VP-200.



Certainly this type of system is not for everybody, and fortunately we all get to make our own decisions about these kinds of things. I just don't think VP was ever able to communicate all of the value of this system. I had been flying advanced cockpit jets for several years when the VP-200 first came out, and I knew right away that I wanted those capabilities in my RV-10. 



I do remember having a conversation with Stein a few years ago about why the VP-200 wasn't doing as well as I felt like it should. He commented that people with experience in advanced cockpit airplanes seemed to appreciate the value more easily than others. The fact is, the system did not succeed in the marketplace. Maybe there will be another attempt at it as time goes on.

_________________
David Maib
RV-10 #40559
New Smyrna Beach, FL

carl.froehlich(at)verizon
Guest

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 3:54 pm Post subject: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

Hopefully not starting an argument - I looked at this system when I built

the RV-10.  Looking beyond the price tag, I wanted to see how it would

incorporate two fully independent power sources (as in two masters - one on

each battery, and each battery feeding exactly half the panel but cross

connected if needed).  It seemed that I would need to install two Vertical

Power units to achieve a system that did not have the typical power

continuity single fault vulnerability that is common with most spam

aircraft.



I went with a less expensive approach.



Carl



--

dmaib@me.com

Joined: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 454
Location: New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:32 pm Post subject: Re: Vertical Power move to Everett, WA and Oshkosh, WI

No arguments from me, Carl. Like I said, we all get to make our own decisions on these airplanes. What a great deal that is!

You are correct that you would want two VP-200 control units to have a dual buss system. I have two control units, but did not go with a dual buss or split system. So, even though I put some thought into what components should be wired to each control unit, I do not have a true split system. However, I got it the way I wanted it! It was a bit more expensive to go the two CU route, but I knew that up front. If I had been trying to build the lowest cost RV-10 I would have done several things differently, that's for sure!

_________________
David Maib
RV-10 #40559
New Smyrna Beach, FL

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