Vizion 380 Installation Manual
Vizion 380 Installation Manual
Vizion 380 Installation Manual
Installation Manual
8300-086 Rev A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The installation information in this section is extremely important and must be clearly
understood by the installer. Improper servo installation or failure to observe and
diagnose installation problems prior to flight can result in extremely serious
consequences, including loss of ability to control the aircraft. If there are any
questions on the part of the installer it is mandatory to resolve these questions prior to
flight of the aircraft.
Most modern experimental aircraft use push-pull tubes to drive the primary controls. These tubes generally have a
total travel of 3” or less; therefore, it is best to connect the autopilot servo to the primary control by the same method.
This connection consists of an arm on the servo connected by a push-pull rod to the primary control. Rod-end bearings
are required on each end of the push-pull rod.
The servo arm must not rotate even near to the point called OVER CENTER, the point at which the
primary aircraft control would lock up. Some aircrafts mechanical primary control installations will not
allow this to occur and do not need the servo stops.
This is a condition that would result from the servo being back driven when the pilot operates the controls,
or from the servo itself driving the controls to a stop. To protect against this mechanical stops are supplied
with the servos. These stops are drilled so that they can be mounted at different angles as required (18
intervals).
In addition to the proper use of the stop it is important to know the amount of travel on the primary
control that the servo can handle. With the push rod connected to the outermost hole (1 ½”) the travel on
the primary cannot exceed 2 ½”, the intermediate hole 2 1/16”, and the inner hole 1 5/8”.
It is important to note that at the neutral point of the control the SERVO ARM must be PERPENDICULAR to
the push rod, and that the stop must be mounted so as to limit travel as near as possible to equal amounts
in both directions. In certain factory-designed installations there may be well-proven exceptions.
There will be installations in which space does not permit the use of the stop. When this is done the aircraft’s primary
control stops must be positive and care must be taken to be sure that at the neutral point the servo arm is
perpendicular to the push rod, and that the travel limits of the servo arm are not exceeded.
There are installations in which the travel of the push-pull tube exceeds the allowable 2 ½”. For such installations, the
drive can be applied to a bell crank at a radius point that moves the desired 2 ½” of maximum allowed travel in the
outermost hole of the arm.
When there is no way to have a drive point of less than 2 ½” or when the primary control is cable-driven it is necessary
to use the capstan-cable servo drive. When this is done the servo should be mounted so that the 1/16” diameter cable
which wraps around the capstan when extended parallel to the primary cable is approximately 3/16” from the primary
cable. If the primary control travel does not exceed 5” the cable locking pin will be 180 away from the point at which
the cable leaves the capstan. When the primary control is at the neutral point this means the total cable wrap around
the capstan is 360. If the primary control travel is greater than 5” the cable wrap is 720and the pin is adjacent to the
output point when the primary control is at the neutral point.
The cable clamps when properly installed will not slip and thus get loose, but it is desirable to NICO press or swedge a
fitting on to the cable so as to provide added assurance that the cable will not become slack. If the bridle cable is not
sufficiently tight there will be lost motion in the autopilot drive. This will result in hunting (oscillation).
Mounting Considerations
The Vizion controller unit is designed to mount in the aircraft instrument panel within view and reach of the pilot.
Maximum recommended viewing angle should be no more than 20 deg. The maximum mounting angle the Vizion can
accommodate is 10 degrees longitudinal (pitch) axis and 0 degrees lateral (roll or yaw) axis. The location should be
such that the controller unit is not blocked by the glare shield on top, or by the throttles, control yoke, etc. on the
bottom. Use aircraft installation standards for mounting and support of the controller.
Wiring Considerations
Use AWG #24 or larger wire for all connections unless otherwise specified. The standard solder pin contacts supplied in
the connector kit are compatible with up to AWG #18 wire. In cases where some installations have more than one
component sharing a common circuit breaker, sizing and wire gauge is based on length of wiring and current draw on
units. In these cases, a larger gauge wire such as AWG #20 may be needed for power connections. Do not attach any
wires to the outside of the programmer or route high current wires within six (6) inch of the programmer. Ensure that
routing of the wiring is not exposed to sources of heat, RF or EMI interference. Check that there is ample space for the
cabling and mating connectors. Avoid sharp bends in cabling and routing near aircraft control cables. Do not route the
COM antenna coax near any autopilot components.
If steps 2-6 are all verified then the Vizion is ready to be engaged in flight.
*For instructions on accessing the setup menus and adjusting autopilot settings, please see section 5 of the
Vizion 380/385 Operating Manual.
*For recommended settings of common Experimental-Amateur Built aircraft, please see section 8 of the Vizion
380/385 Operating Manual.
Many new handheld GPS’s have adequate output required to fly a TruTrak autopilot. Although most support
data output not all handhelds will provide consistent and reliable information required to fly all TruTrak autopilots.
Therefore, some handhelds will not fly the airplane well. Performance may decline by putting the processor in high-
load situations.
We require a data output rate of once per second for best performance. Some handhelds output data at longer
intervals than once per second. These handhelds will cause the autopilot not to perform well in turns and it may cause
overshooting and hunting. If the baud rate is selectable the optimum setting is 4800. Most handhelds will require a
data cable that plugs into the handheld and provides a medium for data output. This is an accessory and is available
from your GPS manufacturer. The setup procedures are in your GPS manual. If your GPS is not listed here consult your
GPS manual for NMEA output setup. The autopilot must have a direct connection with the handheld GPS to provide the
autopilot with RS-232. To allow the handheld GPS to be removed easily you should add a connector in your panel. We
recommend that you use a 9 pin D subminature connector in your panel that will mate to the harness from the GPS.
This will also allow you to wire power and ground and use the aircraft electrical system to power your handheld GPS.
The Garmin III requires a Power/data cable (Garmin Part Number 010-10082-00) to provide data output.
The Garmin III must be configured to provide the correct output to the autopilot.
Press the MENU key twice. Select ‘Setup’. Press ENTER. Select the ‘Interface’ tab. Press ENTER. Select the
NMEA format.
Note: The default baud rate is 4800. This is the baud rate that will entered into the autopilot in the setup mode.
Garmin GPS 92
The Garmin 92 requires a Power/data cable (Garmin Part Number 010-10082-00) to provide data output. The Garmin
92 must be configured to provide the correct output to the autopilot.
Press the PAGE key until the ‘Main Menu’ appears. Select ‘Setup Menu’ and press ENTER. Next select
‘Interface.’ Press ENTER. Select NONE/NMEA.
Note: The default baud rate is 4800. This is the baud rate that will entered into the autopilot in the setup mode.
The GPS 195 provides data output every two seconds and may be slow in recognizing turns and will overshoot the
desired track. This may cause the autopilot to wander and not perform well in turns.
The Garmin 195 requires a Power/data cable (Garmin Part Number 010-10135-00) to provide data output. The Garmin
195 must be configured to provide the correct output to the autopilot.
Press the MENU key twice. Select ‘Set-Up Menu’. Press ENTER. Select ‘Input/Output’. Press ENTER. The
input/output format is ‘No In/NMEA Out.’ Note that the baud rate is automatically set at 4800 bps.
Note: This is the baud rate that will need to be entered in the setup mode of the autopilot.
Now the Garmin 195 is correctly set up to provide the RS-232 serial output required by your TruTrak autopilot.
The Garmin 196 requires a Power/data cable (Garmin Part Number 010-10082-00) to provide data output.
The Garmin 196 must be configured to provide the correct output to the autopilot.
Press the MENU key twice. Use the arrow keypad to select the ‘SETUP’ tab.
Within the Setup Menu select the ‘INTERFACE’ tab. Using the arrow keypad highlight the ‘Serial Data Format’
field. Use the arrow keypad to select ‘NMEA In/NMEA Out’ and press ENTER.
Set the baud rate to 4800.
Note: This is the baud rate that will need to be entered in the setup mode of the autopilot.
Press MENU to enter the Advanced NMEA page. Select ‘Advanced NMEA Setup’ and press ENTER.
Using the arrow keypad and the ENTER key to turn OFF ‘GPS Status (GSA, GSV)’, ‘Waypoint/Route (WPL, RTE)’,
and ‘GARMIN Proprietary’.
Now the Garmin 196 is correctly set up to provide the RS-232 serial output required by your TruTrak autopilot.
The Garmin 296 must be configured to provide the correct output to the autopilot.
Press the MENU key twice. Use the rocker keypad to select the SETUP in the vertical tabs. Use the rocker
keypad to select the ‘COM 1’ tab.
Press the down portion of the rocker keypad to select the ‘FORMAT’ field.
Press ENTER and a popup window will show the available settings.
Use the rocker keypad to select ‘NMEA IN / NMEA OUT’ then press ENTER. Select 4800 for the baud rate. Note:
This is the baud rate that will need to be entered in the setup mode of the autopilot.
Press MENU to enter the Advanced NMEA page. Select ‘Advanced NMEA Setup’ and press ENTER.
Using the arrow keypad and the ENTER key to select “FAST OUTPUT” or turn OFF ‘GPS Status (GSA, GSV)’,
‘Waypoint/Route (WPL, RTE)’, and ‘GARMIN Proprietary’.
Now the Garmin 296 is correctly set up to provide the RS-232 serial output required by your TruTrak autopilot.
The Garmin 496 must be configured to provide the correct output to the autopilot.
Press the MENU key twice. Use the rocker keypad to select the SETUP in the vertical tabs. Use the rocker
keypad to select the ‘Interface’ tab.
Press the down portion of the rocker keypad to select the ‘Serial Data Format’ field.
Press ENTER and a popup window will show the available settings.
Use the rocker keypad to select ‘NMEA IN / NMEA OUT’ then press ENTER. Select 4800 for the baud rate. Note:
This is the baud rate that will need to be entered in the setup mode of the autopilot.
Press MENU to enter the Advanced NMEA page. Select ‘Advanced NMEA Setup’ and press ENTER.
Using the arrow keypad and the ENTER key to select “FAST OUTPUT” or turn OFF ‘GPS Status (GSA, GSV)’,
‘Waypoint/Route (WPL, RTE)’, and ‘GARMIN Proprietary’.
Now the Garmin 396 / 496 is correctly set up to provide the RS-232 serial output required by your TruTrak autopilot.
The Lowrance Airmap 100 requires a NMEA/DGPS adapter cable to provide data output. The Lowrance Airmap 100
must be configured to provide the correct output to the autopilot.
Press the MENU key then select “NMEA/DGPS CONFIG” from the “System Setup” menu. Highlight the “NMEA
OUT” menu then press the right arrow key.
Note: The default baud rate is 4800. This is the baud rate that will entered into the autopilot in the setup
mode.
Now the Lowrance Airmap 100 is correctly set up to provide the RS-232 serial output required by your TruTrak
autopilot.
The Lowrance Airmap 1000/2000 requires a NMEA/DGPS adapter cable to provide data output. The Lowrance Airmap
1000/2000 must be configured to provide the correct output to the autopilot. AirMap has one NMEA 0183 version 2.0
compatible communication port,
Press MENU|MENU|↓ to SYSTEM SETUP|ENT. Press ↓ to COMMUNICATIONS PORT|ENT. Select 9600 Baud.
This is the baud rate that will entered into the autopilot in the setup mode. Select “NMEA OUT”
Now the Lowrance Airmap 1000/2000 is correctly set up to provide the RS-232 serial output required by your TruTrak
autopilot.
AvMap EKP IV
The AvMap EKP IV requires a NMEA/DGPS adapter cable to provide data output. The AvMap EKP IV must be
configured to provide the correct output to the autopilot.
MENU’ 1 sec. + “COMMUNICATIONS” + ‘ENTER’ + “NMEA OUTPUT” + ‘ENTER’.
The Output NMEA0183 messages are RMC, RMB that need to be selected.
Garmin 155XL/250XL/300XL
Garmin 155XL/250XL/300XL connections to TruTrak autopilot
J1 on Signal Name Signal Name P101 on
Garmin unit (Garmin) (TruTrak) TruTrak Vizion
19 GPS RS 232 OUT 2 Primary Serial Input 17
16 GPS ARINC 429 OUT A ARINC-A 14
15 GPS ARINC 429 OUT B ARINC-B 15
Press & hold MSG, rotate outer knob until I/O setup page is displayed. Press CRSR twice and rotate inner knob to select
“plotting” for output to autopilot. Rotate outer knob to advance cursor to the baud rate field, select 9600. Press CRSR
to finish.
To set the ARINC output. Remove the data cards turn the unit on. Press “enter” in response to “Select operating mode
Normal?” Press “enter” in response to “No Jeppesen database rte / prx limited to user wpts ok?” After the satellite
status page is displayed for 5 seconds the unit may be turned off.
With power OFF press and hold the ENT key and turn the power on (release the ENT key when the display activates).
You should be in the TEST MODE. Press the CRSR key then rotate the outer knob to Select ARINC 429 CHANNEL. Press
the CRSR key then rotate the inner knob to advance to OUTPUT and select “w/o GAMA labels”
Power 430/530 up and turn it on while holding down the ENT key. Release the ENT key when the display activates.
After the data base pages, the first page displayed is the MAIN ARINC 429 CONFIG page. While in Configuration mode,
pages can be selected by ensuring the cursor is off and rotating the small right knob. To change data on the displayed
Configuration Page, press the small right knob (CRSR) to turn on the cursor. Turn the large right knob to change
between data fields. Turn the large or small right knob to change a field that the cursor is on. Once you have made the
desired selection, press the ENT key to accept the entry. The second startup page will test the RS 232 and ARINC inputs
on the ground, a good RS 232 connection will display GPS NAV and the asterisk, ARINC will display GPSS and move the
stick right and left.
With the MAIN ARINC 429 CONFIG page displayed, on the row labeled OUT, select SPEED Low
and DATA 429 GAMA. In the VNAV row ENABLE LABELS.
Advance to the MAIN RS232 CONFIG page.
On the row labeled CHNL1, select OUTPUT Aviation.
Note that for the Garmin units, the autopilot will need to be set for 9600 baud.
UPSAT GX-50/60/65
Power the GX-50/60/65 up and turn it on while holding down the leftmost and rightmost “smart keys.” Rotate the
LARGE knob to the Serial Interface Configuration “CH RX TX” page. Press SEL (the selection fields will start flashing),
rotate the LARGE knob to select the port, rotate the SMALL knob to select the desired configurations, and then press
ENT when complete.
If both the GX unit AND the DigiFlight unit have GPSS capability, select “GPSS” for CH 2, TX column, and wire pin 17 on
the DigiFlight IIVSG to pin 22 of the GX unit Otherwise select “MOVING MAP” For CH 1, TX column and wire pin 17 on
the DigiFlight II / IIVS to pin 5 of the GX unit
To restore the GX-50/60/65 to normal operation, switch its power off, and then back on.
Note that for the GX-50/60/65 units, the autopilot will need to be set for 9600 baud.
Garmin AT GNS480
Power 480 up and select the 1, 4, MENU/ ENTER keys immediately after the GNS 480 initialization is complete. After
Garmin AT GNS480 connections to TruTrak autopilot
P1 on GNS480 Signal Name (Garmin AT) Signal Name P101 on
(TruTrak)
TruTrak Vizion
22 RS232 TxD2 Primary Serial Input 17
Garmin GTN-650
Garmin GTN-650 connections to TruTrak autopilot
P1001 Signal Name Signal Name P101 on
(Garmin) (TruTrak) TruTrak Vizion
8 GPS RS 232 OUT 1 Primary Serial Input 17
10 GPS ARINC 429 OUT A ARINC-A 14
29 GPS ARINC 429 OUT B ARINC-B 15
Press and hold the HOME key when powering up the GTN-650. Release the key when the display activates. When the
config mode screen shows, touch GTN Setup.
Touch RS232. On channel 1 output, select Aviation. Back out to the main config menu.
Touch ARINC-429. On channel 1 output, select GAMA 1, Speed LOW. Back out to the main config menu.
Touch Update Config Module.
Make sure the autopilot baud rate is set to 9600.
Garmin 695/696/795/796
Garmin 696 connections to TruTrak autopilot
Garmin Signal Name Signal Name P101 on
Power/Data Cable (Garmin) (TruTrak) TruTrak Vizion
Blue Wire GPS RS 232 OUT 1 Primary Serial Input 17
Select the drop down menu under Serial Data Format. Choose one of the formats that outputs NMEA Out. There are
three options:
Be sure to match the autopilot baud rate setting to the correct one.
Select the drop down menu under Serial Data Format. Choose one of the formats that outputs NMEA Out. There are
three options:
Be sure to match the autopilot baud rate setting to the correct one.
Garmin G3X
Garmin G3X connections to TruTrak autopilot
P3701 (GDU 37X) Signal Name Signal Name P101 on
(Garmin) (TruTrak) TruTrak Vizion
48 GPS RS 232 OUT 1 Primary Serial Input 17
47 GPS RS 232 IN 1 Serial Output 7
P731 (GSU 73) if P101 on
equipped TruTrak Vizion
20 GPS ARINC 429 OUT A ARINC-A 14
21 GPS ARINC 429 OUT B ARINC-B 15
P292 (GAD 29) if P101 on
equipped TruTrak Vizion
18 GPS ARINC 429 OUT A ARINC-A 14
6 GPS ARINC 429 OUT B ARINC-B 15
Enter config mode on G3X PFD by holding left softkey while power is applied. Use knob to select COMM tab. Select
RS232 channel 1 and set to INTEGRATED AUTOPILOT.
Select ARINC channel 1 output. Set output to AUTOPILOT.
Set the autopilot baud rate to 9600.
As the product line continues to grow, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a simple upgrade policy. We do
want to reward our repeat customers by allowing a lower cost upgrade from one system to another; however we are
not able to offer this across the board on all products. If you are considering an upgrade, please call and we will give
you a quote on what this would cost. Many products that we sell today are upgradeable for only the difference in
system price. Because we continually strive to have the most up to date products possible, we occasionally have to
discontinue products. We will continue to offer discounted upgrades even for our discontinued products.
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Attention: Returns Dept. RMA# ______________