VPX

[Joe Parish]

Trying to decide if I will put one in? Justifying the cost. I am electrically challenged but have someone that did avionics in the navy that will help me. So not a real advantage that it makes it easier. Does it offer enough advantages to justify the added weight and cost? All views welcome. Thanks

[captain_john]

Joe,

It really isn't addedweight.

Or complexity...

I am thrilled that I installed it!

It works great!

Do you have any questions about it?

It Simply works as advertised.

Awesome!

CJ

[Joe Parish]

I realize it replaces parts so the weight issue is probable negligable. No questions really just wondering if it adds enough to be worth it. I have read stories of people having issues and having to send it in. That means your down until it is shipped back. Old style fuses or breakers are more readily available if you have an issue.

[bullojm1]

I always worried about technology obsolescence with the Vertical Power solution as well as the possibility of a single point of failure. Circuit Breakers and Fuses will be around way longer than the current VP boxes will ever be.

[leffler]

The ability to monitor current draw on a particular device is a very valuable capability to me. You can't do that with the traditional breakers and/or fuses. At least not without a whole bunch more instrumentation.

You also get some functionality built in to control flap speed. You would have to procure an additional unit just for that function if you didn't have the VPX. The same is true for Wig-Wag.

When I did the math for my RV-10, the costs were almost the same. The VPX was more expensive, but not by much.

While the single point of failure argument is accurate, it's not the only single point of failure in the aircraft. If you wired it appropriately, it should have enough redundancy to get you home safely.

[captain_john]

Mikey,

Here goes the flag on the single point failure concept!





Like Bob says, if it is wired correctly you won't have a single point failure.

I have redundancy in my design. Even without my VPX I can still aviate, navigate and communicate.

Truth be told, I ended up with the right balance of loads on VPX versus a traditional fused bus to give me spares on both.

I have an auxillary bus as well that keeps my EFIS and MFD alive in the event of a total meltdown.

Read the installation manual and you will get the idea.

CJ

[bruceh]

I have the VP-X sport. I should have probably gone with the pro for more circuits and better redundancy. I still have a couple of circuits available, but if I put in more equipment to go IFR capable, I would need to upgrade (second EFIS, Pitot heat, dual COM, IFR GPS, etc.). For now I'm happily flying VFR, and probably will stay that way for awhile.

I had some early issues with mine and ended up getting it fixed twice. When it failed the third time, they gave me a new one and that one hasn't had any issues (so far). The issues were with the power supplies for the low voltage flap/trim position sensors. Everything else worked fine. My only in flight issue was no flaps, and I was able to land just fine without flaps.

I love the capabilities of the VP-X and would probably install it again. It does really suck having to pull it out and have the aircraft grounded. It is really a revolutionary addition to the avionics and electronics. Having all of the controls for wig-wag, flap positions, trim positions, and such makes it super easy to wire up and install.

[bullojm1]

VPX vs Non-VPX is another one of those arguments in experimental aviation which I don't think will ever be settled. Let's just toss it up there in the same group that the Primer Wars, Nosewheel vs Tailwheel, Tip-up vs Slider, etc. are in.

10 years from now when your VPS breaks, and it isn't a current or supported product by VPX with not alternatives available, I won't be too cocky when you tell me I was right

[captain_john]

naaaahh...

Even if the VPX went Tango Uniform today and they vaporized, I would still have a couple of plans.

Plan A: VPX... assuming I could find one used.

Plan B: Garmin GAD 27 (it does much of what the VPX does for me now, save the ECB's and on screen display of electrical health plus a few other things).

Plan C: Traditional method like you.

There are enough modules out there now that finding one on the used market would be likely. We all know how many RV's will never be finished.

Besides, Chad will just buy them all up and resell them!

CJ

[painless]

See, this is what's cool about this site/forum. We can agree to disagree without getting nasty about it, like resorting to name-calling or something.

I know how we can settle this. Last man standing at the Otter.

[Joe Parish]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll think it over and see what the pocket book looks like at the time. I really like the idea of it but it is added cost. Thanks

[captain_john]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll think it over and see what the pocket book looks like at the time. I really like the idea of it but it is added cost. Thanks

Actually the cost could be argued as well!

When you sum up the cost of other components that would be needed to do all that it does, you might still be coming out even or possibly ahead!

You won't need fuses or circuit breakers, trim mixers, flap controllers, relays or a GAD 27 (if Garmin equipped).

Truth be told, I dare say cost, weght and complexity are a wash. Either way you go, you still end up with a fine RV. Basically build the plane that YOU want!

I like bells and whistles, so the VPX is for me!

CJ

[leffler]

I like bells and whistles, so the VPX is for me!

Me too! I installed extra bells and whistles in my RV.

[cjensen]

I always worried about technology obsolescence with the Vertical Power solution as well as the possibility of a single point of failure. Circuit Breakers and Fuses will be around way longer than the current VP boxes will ever be.

I want my hat, chair, AND T-shirt back!! LOL!! Though you probably gave them all away already...

I'm not going to get in the middle of the discussion, other than to say the VPX isn't for everyone. People who use it, love it. Those that don't, just don't know any better.

BTW, I've been practicing at the Otter recently...

[bullojm1]

I want my hat, chair, AND T-shirt back!! LOL!! Though you probably gave them all away already...

So I get to keep the flashlight??????

[leffler]

I'm not afraid to admit, I can be influenced with some vendor swag. With a RV-10, I have room to bring home a whole lot of it from OSH. My VP t-shirt is pretty badly faded and isn't representative of the fine products that Chad sells.

[Joe Parish]

If there's free t-shirt involved, that changes things.

[cjensen]

If there's free t-shirt involved, that changes things.

I'll see what I have left Joe...perhaps a hat? Cool new logo/slogan on the new hats this year.

[Joe Parish]

Sounds good Chad. Thanks!

[leffler]

If there's free t-shirt involved, that changes things.

I'll see what I have left Joe...perhaps a hat? Cool new logo/slogan on the new hats this year.

You bringing a box of the them to the Otter, or do we need to hit you up in the booth for the new logo hats?