DA40 GI-275 install FAIL!

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Boatguy
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DA40 GI-275 install FAIL!

Post by Boatguy »

After months of planning and research I was scheduled to have two GI-275's installed in my DA40 last week to replace the analog backup instruments. The dimensions quoted by Garmin were a little shorter than the dimensions of the factory installed MidContinent AI so we believed they would fit. The GI-275's were received, the plane delivered and install began. FAIL!

The problem was that Garmin's dimensions did not include the additional room needed for the pitot and electrical connections, they were just the unit, not the unit with connections. The installation would have required penetrating the canopy defroster plenum which was a non-starter. Garmin issued an STC for an airplane in which the product does not fit!

I know from another DA40 owner than the G5 does fit, but there is no STC for the DA40. This possibly explains why the factory has moved to the more expensive and less functional MidContinent standby attitude module (aka SAM) for the DA42/62. I saw a retrofit of one of those going into a legacy DA42 complete with faceplate from the factory.

As insult to injury for believing Garmin's STC, I had to pay a 25% restocking fee!

Caveat emptor!
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ememic99
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Re: DA40 GI-275 install FAIL!

Post by ememic99 »

Boatguy wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 3:25 am As insult to injury for believing Garmin's STC, I had to pay a 25% restocking fee!
That's really unprofessional from Garmin - like they haven't tried it at all (which is possibly true).

Two questions:
1. Why did you go for two units? Isn't one sufficient to replace all three backup instruments?
2. What's restocking fee?
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Rick
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Re: DA40 GI-275 install FAIL!

Post by Rick »

Just to clarify, the GI-275 DOES fit in the non-NG variant of the DA40. I replaced the OEM attitude indicator in my 2007 DA40 with a GI-275 and it fits just fine. I'm guessing the layout behind the panel must be different for the NG?

Anyhow, it sounds like Garmin needs to clarify their STC for which models work, and which don't. And thanks for the warning!
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John Beans
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Re: DA40 GI-275 install FAIL!

Post by John Beans »

Garmin lists the DA40 NG in their STC.
https://static.garmin.com/pumac/sa02658se_aml.pdf
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Boatguy
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Re: DA40 GI-275 install FAIL!

Post by Boatguy »

ememic99 wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:01 am
Boatguy wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 3:25 am As insult to injury for believing Garmin's STC, I had to pay a 25% restocking fee!
That's really unprofessional from Garmin - like they haven't tried it at all (which is possibly true).

Two questions:
1. Why did you go for two units? Isn't one sufficient to replace all three backup instruments?
2. What's restocking fee?
1. I was planning to configure them as mini PFD and MFD, mirroring the G1000.

2. 25% fee to return the units to Garmin.
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Boatguy
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Re: DA40 GI-275 install FAIL!

Post by Boatguy »

Rick wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:39 pm Just to clarify, the GI-275 DOES fit in the non-NG variant of the DA40. I replaced the OEM attitude indicator in my 2007 DA40 with a GI-275 and it fits just fine. I'm guessing the layout behind the panel must be different for the NG?

Anyhow, it sounds like Garmin needs to clarify their STC for which models work, and which don't. And thanks for the warning!
I suspect it's general evolution of the DA40 from 2007 to 2018 rather than NG specific. Maybe a larger defroster plenum or something related to NXi? It will be interesting to see if they still fit in a later model DA40.

But lucky you in any case!
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ememic99
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Re: DA40 GI-275 install FAIL!

Post by ememic99 »

John Beans wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 1:40 pm Garmin lists the DA40 NG in their STC.
https://static.garmin.com/pumac/sa02658se_aml.pdf
I wonder why DA42 isn’t on this list.
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Diamond_Dan
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Re: DA40 GI-275 install FAIL!

Post by Diamond_Dan »

Boatguy wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:28 pm 1. I was planning to configure them as mini PFD and MFD, mirroring the G1000.
Where does the data come from (outside of the pitot tube)? If from a LRU, this may not be available in case of a G1000 failure, correct? Does it require additional modules, magnetometer, GPS, etc. or a another data subscription? Very curious to see what functionality is available as a "backup" and how much extra gear is involved.
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Re: DA40 GI-275 install FAIL!

Post by Boatguy »

Diamond_Dan wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:37 pm
Boatguy wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:28 pm 1. I was planning to configure them as mini PFD and MFD, mirroring the G1000.
Where does the data come from (outside of the pitot tube)? If from a LRU, this may not be available in case of a G1000 failure, correct? Does it require additional modules, magnetometer, GPS, etc. or a another data subscription? Very curious to see what functionality is available as a "backup" and how much extra gear is involved.
The GI-275 has an internal AHRS and ADC. I don't believe the STC allows connection to the G1000 or GFC700. My intention was to have an entirely independent backup with only connections to pitot/static system and GPS antenna. You can connect a magnetometer, but as a backup I didn't feel it was necessary as they substitute the GPS track for HDG if there is no magnetometer and at that point I'm more interested in where I'm going than where I'm pointed.

There is a USB dongle which allows uploading map and nav data so one can be configured as a mini MFD moving map.

My thinking was that if I'm flying on the GI-275's, I'm landing at the nearest VFR airport.
Last edited by Boatguy on Mon Jul 19, 2021 5:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: DA40 GI-275 install FAIL!

Post by Boatguy »

A related opportunity for DA40's that can install the GI-275 is the availability of an AOA display from Alpha Systems that will fit into one of the three round instrument spots. I worked with Alpha to develop this solution, which I now cannot use myself. They will announced this as Oshkosh.
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