OAT probe

[JayH]

Greetings,
I'm looking for the best option for OAT. I'm building exp. and have a window mount probe. Is this the best option for the "keep it simple" principle. If so, where is the best location for it? I'm thinking upper left side triangle window. Or, are most of you using something different such as a remote sensor with panel mount guage? Pros, Cons of both? As usual - Thanks for the input.

Jay

 

[Ruidoso Ron]

Jay, I think that may be the best location. Just don't do what I did! I once mounted one in the windshield. Even though my fears never materialized, I cringed every time I watched a line boy head for the wing tanks. I just knew he would reach up and grab that neat little handle, sticking out of the windshield. Or drag a fuel hose over it, and crack my windshield. Bothered me until I moved it, and patched the hole I had drilled in the windshield. I am considering eliminating the OAT during my rebuild.

 

[JayH]

Hey Ron,
Thanks for the response. Is that eliminate the window probe or the OAT system completely?

Jay

 

[m wittler]

When I bought my Becker AR4201, I chipped out a little more for the Temp probe 77 bucks, Bought the probe from Spruce, Tim at Wings and Wheels didn't have it in stock..
Does any one else have this, Currently I don't have an OAT. Was this a good way to go.. Thanks Matt

 

[Ruidoso Ron]

Hey Ron,
Thanks for the response. Is that eliminate the window probe or the OAT system completely?

Jay

Haven't decided for sure yet. Probably just get rid of it but I may mount it the way you described.

 

[Cajun Joe]

Jay - Ron,

Mine is in the top of the left fwd (triangle) window
and sits at the top while the air vent is at the bottom.
Works great. Highly visible from the front seat.

Why get rid of it altogether? When I'm two hours into a leg and
run out of games to play on the GPS it's always time to take out
the wheel and figger TAS and other OAT fun things. Plus, you
can hang your headset on the probe!

 

[flynlow]

My RV's temp probe is highly inaccurate. A friend uses one of those infra red temp thingys that you just point at the wing/strut/tire and it reads the temp. it is about the size of a fountain pen and supposedly very accurate and costs $30.

 

[CptKelly]

OAT probe.

My Dynon OAT probe attaches to the wing root fairing, up on the top front part. Works well, and is relatively protected. This is on a Smith Kit Cub.

Mike

 

[JayH]

CptKelly,
I will probably be running the Dynon. If I remeber right, I think to run the OAT feature on that, you had to buy and install the whole remote compass module. I was not interested in the remote compass and would like to keep this a real SIMPLE, LIGHT plane. Less systems - less headache hopefully.

Ron,
Roger that. Thanks

Jay

 

[rv6ator]

CptKelly,
I will probably be running the Dynon. If I remeber right, I think to run the OAT feature on that, you had to buy and install the whole remote compass module. I was not interested in the remote compass and would like to keep this a real SIMPLE, LIGHT plane. Less systems - less headache hopefully.

Ron,
Roger that. Thanks

Jay

I have dual Dynon OAT probe on my RV7 mounted on inboard wing inspection panels outside of prop slipstream. On the Javron I fabricated an inspection panel between 2 ribs mid wing. The magnetometer and OAT probe attach to the inspection panel.
Any probe in the slipstream will actually read TAT, But at Cub speeds ram rise is minimal, however a probe in the prop slipstream may indicate a slightly higher temperature.

 

[cubdrvr]

 

[mvivion]

FYI, I have two digital OAT sensors (long story), both in the prop wash, one on either side of fuselage. They consistently read about 3 degrees F different, which I assume is (maybe) engine heat…..

 

[arborite]

Not sure about dynon, but I think the Garmin G3X system requires an OAT for the ADAHRS unit. I’m also building an experimental LSA and am working to keep it light and simple as well. The G3X touch will be the only instrument on the panel. Wiring is definitely more complex but overall system weight is comparable to individual instruments. For a day VFR plane, I’m not worrying about a lot of redundancy. If I lose the display, I just look out the window and fly.

 

[stewartb]

Dual GI-275s would be easier. And you’d have lots of room for an iPad. I have a G3X and like it, but it’s expensive and complicated to install. And I still use an iPad!

 

[arborite]

I got a smoking deal on a 10” G3X touch. It was much cheaper than two GI275’s and displays everything I want simultaneously. No switching screens. It is big though. I made room for my iPhone next to it for flight planning link.

Not sure why two GI275’s would be easier to install on an experimental. The wiring isn’t trivial on any of these units.

 

[stewartb]

The GDU is only the beginning.

Plan ahead for space to hide your component boxes and make a plan to reach your connectors in the future.

 

[stewartb]

My plane has removable boot cowl sides and pull-out breaker/switch panels. Both have been extremely useful. Reaching behind the GDU, not so much. Access to the GEA and GSU have been especially important for me.

FWIW, my materials cost for my G3X Touch system incl remote comm and ES txp was $23,500.00 and that was 8 years ago. Install labor not factored in. To hire that would be another chunk of money. I did have my local avionics shop build me some of the harnesses because as a first experience, the harnesses were daunting. That alone was $6K. I recall the EIS wire being extraordinarily expensive, too. Maybe equipment prices have come down? In any case, beware of going down the rabbit hole. Shiny gadgets stack up fast, and credit card bills follow.

 

[arborite]

Prices have indeed come down from that. experimental parts from Garmin are much cheaper . I have similar setup with remote com and 45x transponder and have closer to 15k in hardware. I’m making my own harnesses. Materials and tools are a few thousand. Certainly not cheap. Packaging is done as well. My boot cowl is also removable, but I won’t need to pull it to get to everything. The Bearhawk is very roomy under there.

Yours looks great by the way. Nice job routing everything. Your plane is far more complex than mine. It’s not easy to fit all that stuff in there