MGL Discovery Lite problems - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-29T11:27:50Zhttps://zenith.aero/forum/topics/mgl-discovery-lite-problems?xg_source=activity&id=2606393%3ATopic%3A652624&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWell, after trying everything…tag:zenith.aero,2019-06-06:2606393:Comment:6791902019-06-06T12:24:44.941Zstephen hetzhttps://zenith.aero/profile/stephenhetz
<p>Well, after trying everything suggested (redid grounds, inline filters, transorbs, etc., etc.,) I asked Matt from MGL if I could upgrade from the Discovery Lite (7" screen) to the Explorer Lite (8.5" screen). On the rare occasions that the Discovery lite actually worked, I was finding it a bit small for my 65 year old eyes anyway and I was hoping a completely different unit might make a difference. I had tried everything else. The connections to the Discovery lite and Explorer lite are…</p>
<p>Well, after trying everything suggested (redid grounds, inline filters, transorbs, etc., etc.,) I asked Matt from MGL if I could upgrade from the Discovery Lite (7" screen) to the Explorer Lite (8.5" screen). On the rare occasions that the Discovery lite actually worked, I was finding it a bit small for my 65 year old eyes anyway and I was hoping a completely different unit might make a difference. I had tried everything else. The connections to the Discovery lite and Explorer lite are identical, so all it involved was removing and returning the Discovery lite EFIS for a small upgrade charge ($215), cutting a slightly larger opening in my panel, and when the Explorer Lite arrived, plugging it in and firing it up. The Explorer lite has worked perfectly from the start! Matt had programmed it the same as my Discovery Lite, so engine information, fuel tanks, fuel flow, etc. all worked and were the same as before. I also finally have a fuel counter on the panel! Not only did the AHRS stuff (artificial horizon, airspeed, altimeter, climb and descent rate, etc.) work consistently and accurately, so did the transponder (finally!) including the mode C aspect. I'll have to figure out how to check that the ADS-B out is also working. Needless to say, after a year and a half struggling to get a working system, I'm finally there and am extremely pleased with the results. I can only surmise that both of the Discovery Lite units that were sent to me had a common flaw that was intrinsic to the unit itself. Anyway, thanks to Matt for continuing to be helpful throughout the entire process. I'll start looking at the calendar and see if there's a way to make the pilgrimage to Mexico, MO this September! Thanks for all your suggestions.</p>
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<p>Steve Hetz</p>
<p>N750HS</p> Over twisting of wires can b…tag:zenith.aero,2019-03-16:2606393:Comment:6700862019-03-16T20:59:35.675ZMickey R. Mathiesonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/MickeyRMathieson
<p> Over twisting of wires can be problematic. </p>
<p> Over twisting of wires can be problematic. </p> Recommended twist per foot. …tag:zenith.aero,2019-03-16:2606393:Comment:6699732019-03-16T20:18:29.194ZMickey R. Mathiesonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/MickeyRMathieson
<p>Recommended twist per foot. <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1456013220?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1456013220?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.aircraftsystemstech.com/2017/05/wiring-installation.html" target="_blank">https://www.aircraftsystemstech.com/2017/05/wiring-installation.html</a></p>
<p>Recommended twist per foot. <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1456013220?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1456013220?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.aircraftsystemstech.com/2017/05/wiring-installation.html" target="_blank">https://www.aircraftsystemstech.com/2017/05/wiring-installation.html</a></p> Stephen,
Yes they should be.…tag:zenith.aero,2019-03-16:2606393:Comment:6700632019-03-16T00:50:44.529ZJim and Amelia Isaacshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JimIsaacs
<p>Stephen,</p>
<p>Yes they should be. Shield those wires, begin with the AC power wires from the engine to the external rectifier/regulator, start the engine, see if it makes a difference with your MGL. Then shield the ignition wires. Make sure you ground the shield braid. Hang in there, even if this does not solve your problem, keep at it, you will solve it. </p>
<p>Stephen,</p>
<p>Yes they should be. Shield those wires, begin with the AC power wires from the engine to the external rectifier/regulator, start the engine, see if it makes a difference with your MGL. Then shield the ignition wires. Make sure you ground the shield braid. Hang in there, even if this does not solve your problem, keep at it, you will solve it. </p> They aren't twisted pairs, bu…tag:zenith.aero,2019-03-16:2606393:Comment:6699242019-03-16T00:42:23.985Zstephen hetzhttps://zenith.aero/profile/stephenhetz
<p>They aren't twisted pairs, but they aren't shielded either. Should they be??</p>
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<p>They aren't twisted pairs, but they aren't shielded either. Should they be??</p>
<p></p> Since a time interval is req…tag:zenith.aero,2019-03-15:2606393:Comment:6701472019-03-15T19:49:14.824ZMickey R. Mathiesonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/MickeyRMathieson
<p> Since a time interval is required for event to occur - a situation of power drain reducing the power below minimums for the electronic requirements?</p>
<p> Since a time interval is required for event to occur - a situation of power drain reducing the power below minimums for the electronic requirements?</p> You mentioned you put a capa…tag:zenith.aero,2019-03-15:2606393:Comment:6699472019-03-15T18:44:36.103ZMickey R. Mathiesonhttps://zenith.aero/profile/MickeyRMathieson
<p> You mentioned you put a capacitor across the power supply. Connect an oscilloscope(DSO) to the same point as capacitor - set tigger for falling edge and record the data points of the failure. The problem may be caused by voltage going outside the operating parameters of the electronics therefore causing a lock up. Too high or too low voltage will cause strange problems. </p>
<p> You mentioned you put a capacitor across the power supply. Connect an oscilloscope(DSO) to the same point as capacitor - set tigger for falling edge and record the data points of the failure. The problem may be caused by voltage going outside the operating parameters of the electronics therefore causing a lock up. Too high or too low voltage will cause strange problems. </p> The wires from your magnetos…tag:zenith.aero,2019-03-14:2606393:Comment:6698722019-03-14T09:45:11.699ZJim and Amelia Isaacshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JimIsaacs
<p>The wires from your magnetos to your ignition/start switch, and the AC power wires from your engine to the voltage regulator, are each individually separate(not twisted pairs), individually shielded, and the shields grounded at the nearest point to the wire ends?</p>
<p>The wires from your magnetos to your ignition/start switch, and the AC power wires from your engine to the voltage regulator, are each individually separate(not twisted pairs), individually shielded, and the shields grounded at the nearest point to the wire ends?</p> Still trying to figure it out…tag:zenith.aero,2019-03-13:2606393:Comment:6692432019-03-13T01:12:32.930Zstephen hetzhttps://zenith.aero/profile/stephenhetz
<p>Still trying to figure it out. Honestly, no one else with an MGL system has ever contacted me with a problem similar to mine. Matt, at MGL, has been extremely helpful, unfortunately to no avail. After I sent my Discovery Lite EFIS back to be checked, he sent it back and said it checked out. After a couple months, he agreed to completely replace the unit. Same problem. I has to be something unique to my engine, electrical system setup, however for the life of me, I can't figure it…</p>
<p>Still trying to figure it out. Honestly, no one else with an MGL system has ever contacted me with a problem similar to mine. Matt, at MGL, has been extremely helpful, unfortunately to no avail. After I sent my Discovery Lite EFIS back to be checked, he sent it back and said it checked out. After a couple months, he agreed to completely replace the unit. Same problem. I has to be something unique to my engine, electrical system setup, however for the life of me, I can't figure it out. I've had an avionics guy intermittently working on it for the last several months. He's rewired grounds, the jacks, etc. No joy. So, I think this is somehow unique to my setup and I'm not sure it's an MGL problem. For what it's worth.</p>
<p></p> Any luck yet? I'm considering…tag:zenith.aero,2019-03-11:2606393:Comment:6691952019-03-11T21:18:40.624ZDavid J Tillemahttps://zenith.aero/profile/DavidJTillema
<p>Any luck yet? I'm considering MGL , but this concerns me.</p>
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<p>Any luck yet? I'm considering MGL , but this concerns me.</p>
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