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Permalink Reply by John Austin on October 2, 2011 at 1:31pm

Well ... Composite Design's panel is looking better and better:

I emailed tech support several days ago at Control Vision - no response yet - not even an acknowledgement of my email.

I emailed Composite Design yesterday evening requesting cut-out dimensions, etc. on the Mini Power Panel. Wayne Lanza, the owner, has already personally responded with a pdf drawing attached! That's in less than 24 hours and on a Sunday to boot!

I value support almost as much as product!

John

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Permalink Reply by Bob McDonald on November 27, 2011 at 11:12am

Buy the larger Composite Design panel. I went with the smaller version, and installed the Master Sw. on the centre console. I was trying for light compact type installation. Now that I am installing electric hydraulic floats I am 1 circut short of my needs. The larger panel would have covered this "future" growth need had I installed it instead of the mini panel during construction. Love the product, excellent quality, and a real time saver for the builder.

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Permalink Reply by John Austin on November 27, 2011 at 12:13pm

You're 2 weeks too late, Bob! I bought the Mini about 2 wks ago - but I'm positive it will be more-than-sufficient for my needs. I'm going with a pretty basic panel, after all, this is just a "low and slow" fun machine for me - I've got the 206 for serious hauling and traveling. The Mini has plenty of circuits for my present panel and some others I can use if I do need to add something.

I totally agree on the quality ... and I can't say enough good things about the support! Wayne Lanza, the owner of Composite Designs, is also the guy who answers the phone and emails. Email response has been almost instantaneous, and when I ordered it from him over the phone, he basically talked me through how to wire all the circuits from the panel-forward. I found his advice to be very practical and he takes the time to explain anything you don't understand.

I'm glad I didn't go with the EXP BUS! Two emails to them - sales and technical - were never answered or acknowledged.

Regards,

John

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Permalink Reply by Steven Ward on November 27, 2011 at 1:50pm

John, I like the way your panel sounds, can't wait to see a pic of it. Im planning a similar panel also. I have a lot to learn about panel building. Do you know where I can find some info on building a panel?

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Permalink Reply by John Austin on November 27, 2011 at 5:49pm

Hi Steven!

Can't give you any specific info - I just picked up bits and pieces from here and there. One idea that I copied from my Cessna 206 was the use of sub-panels secured by nutplates. I've basically got two standard-radio stack openings (6.25") in the panel - one for flight instruments and one for radios. That lets you change-out instruments without having to re-do the whole panel, plus, you can pull a sub-panel and work on the instruments and not have to reach under/behind the panel. I already had a 2 1/4" electric turn and bank and a compass, but I'm still toying between a "steam gauge" airspeed (3 1/8") and a MGL altimeter/VSI/transponder encoder (3 1/8") vs. the Grand Rapids "Sport" EFIS. (I have the Grand Rapids EIS already). But, with the sub-panels, I can easily go either way.

I do, however, think the stock Zenith panel is too flimsy. I riveted a .050 overlay to the face of it, and that made it much sturdier. Not content with that, I also ran some L angle behind the panel, too ... it's substantial, now!

Regards,

John

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Permalink Reply by Steven Ward on November 28, 2011 at 3:14am

Thanks John, I heard about the standard panel being flemsy and I made mine out of .032 to stiffen it up. It sounds like I might need to still beef it up. I have seen online people making those sub-panels and I knew that was what I wanted for the reasons you stated. I just need to do some more research on how its really put together. 

 I will be using the 0-235 and I will not be using a vaccum system for weight and failure reasons. I will be using a backup airspeed and an electric turn and bank and some type of an efis. I am really intersted in what I have seen on the Ipad with WingX running synthitic vision with the AHRS device. I have WingX on my Iphone and it has impressed me. I see that the Carbon Cub manufacturer have started selling their planes with the Ipad installed with what I mentioned.

  Your panel seems really close to what I am shooting for, post us a pic and let us see what it looks like when you can.

    Keep up the good work!

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Permalink Reply by John Austin on November 28, 2011 at 7:09am

Steven,

I "think" the original panel was .025 - so with the .050 overlay, I've got .075. That's really substantial, but when I cut the big 6.25" wide holes for the radio stack and instrument sub-panels, I felt it necessary to reinforce behind the panel with L angle. The panel's at the powder coater right now - I'll post pics when I get it back.

I've run AnyWhereMap and XM Weather on a small Samsung Q1EX tablet (about the size of an approach plate book) for years and am very happy with it. Best part - the last time I upgraded tablets to the Samsung, I found a "like new" for $160 !!! I added a 64 gb solid state drive for about $100. Grand Rapids Technologies' EFIS (which would go nicely with my EIS), would cost nearly $4000 by the time internal GPS and XM Weather processor is added. It's hard for me to swallow that vs the "free" tablet setup I already have! That's why I'm considering just steam gauge airspeed, T&B, compass, and MGL altimeter/VSI/encoder. All that will be less than $750 (I got a great deal on a 2 1/4" T&B for $150!). I think I'm going to mount the Samsung on a Ram mount on the console (I have dual sticks) and that will get it decently close to these 60 y.o. eyes and I'll have a GPS, moving map, and XM Weather. That ought to be "adequate" for a fun flyer! LOL!

Regards,

John

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Permalink Reply by John Austin on December 5, 2011 at 11:10am

Steven,

Here's the pics I promised of the .050 overlay over the .025. The second one shows the L stiffeners behind the panel. Here's a tip: I'm using 1 1/2" instrument screws with about 1" spacers anywhere near the L's or tubing - makes it easy to get to the nut!

I'm glad I went with the sub-panels ... I've decided to put a MGL XTreme EFIS in and sell the turn and bank on Ebay (listing goes up this p.m.) I'm also probably going to put the RAM mount on the panel rather than the console - it's just too much in the way there when I reach for the center console controls.

Regards,

John

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Permalink Reply by Stephen R. Smith on December 5, 2011 at 1:07pm

My brother and I both have the EXP BUS in our Zodiacs.  Zero problems.  I would buy again.  My only complaint: I would like illuminated switches because after the sun goes down its hard to find the correct switch.  My remedy is a flashlight which is good enough for me.

I put a fuse on my alternator output.  If the fuse goes, the battery will keep things going till I can land.  A fuse is cheep, simple, reliable and light-weight.

I have never had the EXP BUS pop a circuit, nor do I think that is likely, so I see no practical need for an annunciator panel.

Steve

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