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GPS antenna firewall quick connect

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dan(at)rvproject.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 7:28 am Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

Make a shelf on the firewall for the antenna?   That way removing the cowl is independent of the antenna.

  

 )_( Dan

 [quote]   ---

Vanremog(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 7:37 am Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

In a message dated 6/12/2006 8:02:35 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  scc_ron(at)yahoo.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		     Does anyone know how to properly make up a disconnect at the    firewall for my GPS antenna?

    

   I have mounted the antenna for my Garmin 396 under the engine    cowling. What I don't know is how to splice into the antenna wire and make up    a proper firewall quick connect/disconnect that will enable me to take off the    cowl without fishing the antenna wire through the firewall every    time.

    

   Is it OK to splice the antenna wire? how? which connectors do I    use?

	


 

 ==========================================

  

 IIRC mine's a TNC type.

  

  

  

  

  

 GV (RV-6A  N1GV O-360-A1A, C/S, Flying 792hrs, Silicon Valley, CA)

charlieray(at)optonline.n
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:22 pm Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

The "big puck" of the 396 antenna is like a usb  cable and would be tricky to mount out there, personally I wouldnt mount any gps  antennas inside the engine cowling.

 [quote]   ---

stan.jones(at)xtra.co.nz
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:28 pm Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

You can get BNC connecters that go through a bulkhead.

 I have some.

 Stan 

  

 [i]----

hudzilla(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:46 am Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

GPS antenna pucks are different than most antennas.  They are active and contain high gain amplifiers  to boost the satellite signal from its fempto-watt apparent level to the level need by the receiver.  That circuitry is not likely to enjoy living in a 400 degree world.  It is also not going to like the corona traveling down each of the spark plug wires making a high noise samba line. 



From a radio designer and RV9A builder take the recommendation to not locate that poor antenna in such a hostile place.



On 6/12/06, Stan Jones < stan.jones(at)xtra.co.nz (stan.jones(at)xtra.co.nz)> wrote:[quote]        You can get BNC connecters that go through a bulkhead.

 I have some.

 Stan 

  

 [i]----

Terry Watson

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 290
Location: Seattle, WA USA

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:24 am Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

I have read on this list and others many reports of success installing the GPS antenna under the cowl; none that I recall reported problems. There was some concern about using metallic paint on the cowl, but I don’t think anyone reported an actual problem.  

   

As for the “400 degree world”, that does seem a bit high. There are often other electronics under the cowl too. My Lightspeed Ignition control box is there. If you think it might get too hot, maybe pointing a blast tube at it would help.  

   

And as for them all being active, my understanding is that some are and some are not. I don’t know about that except that my Bluemountain EFIS instructions say to make sure I use the right one with their system.  

   

But then I design buildings, not antennas, so maybe I’m wrong.  

   

Terry  

RV-8A firewall forward  

Seattle  

         

  

From: owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Michael Hudson

 Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 9:46 AM

 To: rv-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: GPS antenna firewall quick connect  

  

   

GPS antenna pucks are different than most antennas.  They are active and contain high gain amplifiers  to boost the satellite signal from its fempto-watt apparent level to the level need by the receiver.  That circuitry is not likely to enjoy living in a 400 degree world.  It is also not going to like the corona traveling down each of the spark plug wires making a high noise samba line. 

 

 >From a radio designer and RV9A builder take the recommendation to not locate that poor antenna in such a hostile place.

mitch(at)skybound.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:31 am Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

OR, take if from people who have been actually flying with this setup 

for YEARS with absolutely no problems.  I know many people personally 

who have their GPS antenna on top of the engine compartment under the 

cowl.  The position offers an amazing unobstructed view of the sky.  My 

first reaction was the same as most: "doesn't that fry the antenna?".  

Their reply: "hasn't in the last 6 years!".



Mitch Faatz  RV-6A  Finish Kit   Auburn, CA    GPS antenna under the cowl.

Michael Hudson wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   GPS antenna pucks are different than most antennas.  They are active 

 and contain high gain amplifiers  to boost the satellite signal from 

 its fempto-watt apparent level to the level need by the receiver.  

 That circuitry is not likely to enjoy living in a 400 degree world.  

 It is also not going to like the corona traveling down each of the 

 spark plug wires making a high noise samba line.



 From a radio designer and RV9A builder take the recommendation to not 

 locate that poor antenna in such a hostile place.

pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth.
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:40 am Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

I'm not sure why anyone would want to mount the GPS antenna in the engine compartment anyway.  Ignition noise is definitely a factor.  I have that problem with my AnywhereMap in my Pitts and Traumahawk (I know, I need to fix that!) ..... but using the remote antenna situated a couple of feet aft seems to alleviate the problem.  The GPS antennas work quite well mounted on the glareshield with only the acrylic windshield between the antenna and the satellite.  That would be a better answer to the fellah that mounted his to the cowling and was looking for a bulkhead connector.  There is one caution:  Some antennas (like the AnywhereMap remote antenna for the Sentinel GPS) have a magnet that you might want to remove if it's located anywhere near the compass.

 Linn

 do not archive

 

 

 Terry Watson wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		                 v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}  <![endif]-->    st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }  <![endif]-->                    

I have read on this list and others many reports of success installing the GPS antenna under the cowl; none that I recall reported problems. There was some concern about using metallic paint on the cowl, but I don’t think anyone reported an actual problem.      

       

As for the “400 degree world”, that does seem a bit high. There are often other electronics under the cowl too. My Lightspeed Ignition control box is there. If you think it might get too hot, maybe pointing a blast tube at it would help.      

       

And as for them all being active, my understanding is that some are and some are not. I don’t know about that except that my Bluemountain EFIS instructions say to make sure I use the right one with their system.      

       

But then I design buildings, not antennas, so maybe I’m wrong.      

       

Terry      

RV-8A firewall forward      

Seattle      

                   

      

From: owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com) [mailto:owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com)] On Behalf Of Michael Hudson

  Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 9:46 AM

  To: rv-list(at)matronics.com (rv-list(at)matronics.com)

  Subject: Re: GPS antenna firewall quick connect   

      

       

GPS antenna pucks are different than most antennas.  They are active and contain high gain amplifiers  to boost the satellite signal from its fempto-watt apparent level to the level need by the receiver.  That circuitry is not likely to enjoy living in a 400 degree world.  It is also not going to like the corona traveling down each of the spark plug wires making a high noise samba line. 

  

  >From a radio designer and RV9A builder take the recommendation to not locate that poor antenna in such a hostile place.

rickrv8(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:01 am Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->  My 430 antenna is also under the cowl with no problem.  However,  what 396 antenna are you referring to; the GPS or the XM weather  antenna/receiver?  What may not be a problem for the GPS antenna could  possibly be for the XM antenna/receiver.

  

 Rick McBride

  

 [quote]   ---

bicyclop(at)pacbell.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:26 pm Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

Terry,  

   

You might want to check with Klaus about that Lightspeed box, firewall forward. I’m pretty sure he still recommends them aft. Ours, an early Plasma I unit, requires air from a cooling fan and makes quite a bit of its own heat. He recommended that we have him check it out because a transformer tended to overheat on the early ones. He replaced ours (with the type he’s using nowadays) and returned our old transformer to us. It was kinda blackened and didn’t look too good. This was with just short of 700 hours. We put in a bigger avionics fan and enlarged the air vent to keep it cooler. YMMV       

   

Pax,  

   

Ed Holyoke  

   

--

Terry Watson

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 290
Location: Seattle, WA USA

Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:13 am Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

Ed,  

   

Thanks for the reminder. I have wrestled with the location and decided to put it on the front of the firewall with a cooling box and blast tube, as Klaus reluctantly allows in his instructions. I would rather have it behind the firewall, but he won’t allow his cables to be disassembled and to run them through the firewall with the big terminals on them would require a bigger hole than I want to patch. In the RV-8, the front baggage compartment seems to be a preferred location and there won’t be any cooling air in there. Maybe I’ll just cut the damned wires and void the warrantee and put it in there anyway.  

   

Thanks for the reminder.  

   

Terry  

   

         

  

From: owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Ed Holyoke

 Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 10:24 PM

 To: rv-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: GPS antenna firewall quick connect  

  

   

Terry,  

   

You might want to check with Klaus about that Lightspeed box, firewall forward. I’m pretty sure he still recommends them aft. Ours, an early Plasma I unit, requires air from a cooling fan and makes quite a bit of its own heat. He recommended that we have him check it out because a transformer tended to overheat on the early ones. He replaced ours (with the type he’s using nowadays) and returned our old transformer to us. It was kinda blackened and didn’t look too good. This was with just short of 700 hours. We put in a bigger avionics fan and enlarged the air vent to keep it cooler. YMMV     

   

Pax,  

   

Ed Holyoke

rickrv8(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 2:12 pm Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->  Terry,

  

 I mounted two Plasma 1 boxes inside the right lower portion of my forward  baggage compartment up against the side of the fuselage.  I  disassembled the terminals in order to get them through the firewall  holes.  If I remember correctly I didn't have to remove the pins.  I  simply disassembled the the terminal covers.  But if you want to get the  hole as small as possible you can use a pin extractor in order to fully  disassemble.  I've had to remove similar pins on my auto pilot  and it's really an easy procedure.  Just keep track of where the pins  belong.  Also, I constructed an aluminum cover plate to go over the boxes  and the associated wiring just to make sure baggage didn't interfere.  I  discussed the arrangement with Klaus and he said it would be fine.  To  date, I've had no problems.

  

 Rick McBride

 [quote]   ---

Terry Watson

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 290
Location: Seattle, WA USA

Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

Rick,  

   

Thanks for the comments. After an email from Charlie Kuss about it, I went out to the shop and looked to see if I might be able to mount my Lightspeed box on the outside skin inside the lower part of the forward baggage, just as you suggest. I also pulled the cover off the D-sub connector to see how small of a hole I could get it through without voiding my warranty by disassembling it. I could get it through a 1-1/4” diameter hole, or a hole maybe 3/8” wide by 1-1/4” long. I think I can live with that. I also measured the wire from the crank position sensor to make sure it would be long enough if I routed it the other side of the engine (right side – it is now on the left) and that will work too.  

   

Now my main problem seems to be that I mounted my fuse blocks right where I should put the Lighspeed box, but I really like where Charlie has his so maybe I will tear it out and redo it. Why not? I have just about everything else on this airplane!  I could also put it inside the main part of the baggage compartment on the firewall, but I am concerned that will be pretty hot too.  

   

I really appreciate your comments.  

   

Terry  

   

         

  

From: owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-rv-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Richard McBride

 Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 3:07 PM

 To: rv-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: GPS antenna firewall quick connect  

  

       

Terry,  

    

   

    

I mounted two Plasma 1 boxes inside the right lower portion of my forward baggage compartment up against the side of the fuselage.  I disassembled the terminals in order to get them through the firewall holes.  If I remember correctly I didn't have to remove the pins.  I simply disassembled the the terminal covers.  But if you want to get the hole as small as possible you can use a pin extractor in order to fully disassemble.  I've had to remove similar pins on my auto pilot and it's really an easy procedure.  Just keep track of where the pins belong.  Also, I constructed an aluminum cover plate to go over the boxes and the associated wiring just to make sure baggage didn't interfere.  I discussed the arrangement with Klaus and he said it would be fine.  To date, I've had no problems.  

    

   

    

Rick McBride

stan.jones(at)xtra.co.nz
Guest

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:06 am Post subject: GPS antenna firewall quick connect

Did you find those BNC bulkhead connectors Ron.


Stan J


Do not archive 


 


----

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