Side-by-side or top-and-bottom?

[bullojm1]

I am putting the final touches on my panel and can't decide whether or not to put my dual Grand Rapids HS EFIS's on top of each other or side to side. Here are pics of my ideas:



Top and bottom is appealing because both screens would be on the pilots centerline. However, I would have to make a custom panel that is about 2" taller and would have a lot of empty space on the panel.



Side-by-side would fit perfectly on the Van's standard panel with some nice steam backups under it. It allows me to put some annunciator lights over the EFIS, on the pilot centerline. IMHO, this panel looks better, but I am unsure about not having the EFIS on the pilots centerline.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[Speed3Guy]

Definately go horizontal. If you go vertical, you'll have to extend the panel which is a bunch of extra work. It also leaves less room for the most important component in the system--You. It will help if you think of one display as primary and the other secondary. The first displays every thing you need to fly, the second lets you verify that your systems are functioning and helps you navigate. They don't both need to be front and center.

My two cents,
Guy

[cjensen]

I would go horizontal as well. The RV cockpit isn't big enough for centerline EFIS to be an issue. Guy's comments are along the lines of what I would say, so I'll just echo what he said.

They both look pretty clean, but I like the skinnier horizontal panel for both looks and functionality.

That's four cents now...

[dons]

You gotta pick what you like, but something to consider is that if you are willing to have the 'main' display a bit to the left of center in the side by side setup, would you also be willing to have the entire vertical stack a bit farther to the right than center so that you don't have to cut into as much leg room. I think the vertically stacked ones I have seen pictures of don't try to be as far to the left you have them shown. Just another pennies worth.

I just want to the have the problem, right now I would take either .

[bullojm1]

Hey Don-

Great idea! On my instrument cutouts I moved the EFIS's and the center stack over to the right and it looks great! I can even slam a compass in on the left now. Thanks!

[weezbad]

horizontal. thats how i did mine. when you lower the panel you will have to lower the control cable bracket on the sub panel.....

[bullojm1]

OK, so here is the new layout. Stock panel, primary EFIS on pilot centerline, and I got me a fancy compass on the left now. Me thinks I like it. Now if only anyone had any hints for finding money to buy the dual GRTs....I am flat broke from sending a check for my prop today!

[Planeless]

My question,
How much trouble would it be to angle both displays so that when you turn your head a bit to look at either, your line of sight would be perpendicular to the display. This could be a way to get almost the same effect as having the displays directly in front of you, like your stacked arrangement. They angle instruments when they are on the co-pilot's side so the Pilot can also check them, so maybe this could be a possibility for you?

But I still wonder if it would be worth the trouble, unless you spread the displays to install a few gauges between them as in a panel I saw somewhere. But then again your final arrangement looks great.

[cnpeters]

After sitting in some of these RV's, I see no value in angling an EFIS in a side by side arrangement - the cockpits are cozy enough, and you are close to the screen as is. In the DA-40 with the G1000 that I fly, the EFIS is right in front of you, but the second screen with the moving map and EMS is almost centered in front of the pax due to the center intercom panel and the size of those screens. I have never felt a need to have that tilted. Mike - your screens are much closer centered in front of you than the G1000 would be - I doubt you will think twice once flying. As an aside, I'm a fan of symmetry and would have your steam gauges centered under the two screens - up to your tastes, of course. OTW, like the horizontal layout. Here is a pic of the DA-40 cockpit:

[bullojm1]

Thanks for the great comments guys! Angling the second screen would be pretty tough and I don't think all that worth it. If I angled the second EFIS, I might as well angle the nav/comm stack also. Now I gotta make a new panel anyways, so I should just go with the vertical arrangement anyways!

As far as symmetry goes, the main 3 backup steam gauges are symmetrical under the primary EFIS! I would do symmetry, but to the left of the steam gauges I am putting my master/mags/start switch so when I start the plane I can use my left hand to toggle those main three switches and my right hand to work the throttle and mixture. I am really trying to lay the panel out so I don't have to do a lot of hand switching on the ground or in flight.

[bullojm1]

I thought I'd follow up on this thread with what I found out. Turns out to get the panel to work like it is pictures in its most recent revision, the right side avionics stack is right underneath the cutout in the subpanel for the UHMW bushings that the canopy frames pivot arms bolt to. The bummer about this is there is basically no protection I can give to my avionics here. All the water that would run down the guide on the subpanel would let out on top of the stack. There is also very little room on the center subpanel

I definitely don't want to risk my expensive avionics to water damage when it could be so easily avoided. Back to the drawing board!

[Brantel]

I think most people put a rain gutter over the top of the stack regardless of the position left to right on the stack. Seal it to the subpanel with proseal or something else.

[bullojm1]

I think most people put a rain gutter over the top of the stack regardless of the position left to right on the stack. Seal it to the subpanel with proseal or something else.

Brantel-

Yeah, I hear you there. My main concern is not protecting the avionics between the panel and subpanel from water, but more behind the subpanel -- water could run down the gutter on the aft side of the subpanel, run down the thicker UHMW block to the back of the subpanel, and then run right into my 430! I am sure there is a way to do it, but part of me thinks I really should move it because its just too iffy.

So, now I am back to the drawing board on my panel, and also what the purpose of my panel is going to be - Full IFR or light IFR. I wish someone had an EFIS for a great deal so I can just be done with this decision and deal with what I got!!!

[Brantel]

Put another gutter on the backside as well.

I am doing this even though my stack will be more in the middle just for safety's sake. Like you, I can't stand the thought of water running into the radio's!

[bullojm1]

You know what - I could probably just either make a shell out of 016 or heavy plastic and wrap the avionics stack in it, front to back and through the subpanel. All I would have to worry about would be any cooling problems, but that could work. Why is it that I feel like Chad all the sudden?

[cjensen]

Why is it that I feel like Chad all the sudden?

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!! My plan is working!