Len,
Here is a write up & pics from the Socata Owners Page. Thought you may be interested.
Gary Gembala
Here's the before and after, it really cleaned up the dash. I did leave the old RPM gage in as a back up. It' a third RPM read out and very redundant and as I get use to the JPI I'm sure it will be removed down the road. The panel by the co pilots knee was removed altogether, which was the clock,outside temp, Hobbs. The GPS panel was relocated to the top pilots panel, where it should have been in the first place. The alarm panel lights was increased by two. One was a blank spare the other installed new. As I get use to this unit I will do a write up on it. By the way I bought this unit for $5600.00 4 months ago, its now selling for $8100.00. That's got to be a first for me.
It's an STC unit, so yes, the primary instruments were replaced. The IA also sent in a 337 so that it would be on file with the FAA. Not only were the primary instruments replace, but the TAC, Hobbs, and OAT gauges were also replaced. On start up, the remote screen will scroll across with “Primary instrument for TB-9 SER number 1332” and the same is shown at the bottom of the main screen. In my case, a lot of extras were added by installing the 930.
The first problem off the bat was the floating fuel sensors. They were casing the digital fuel gages to bounce up and down with every movement. JPI fixed that with a software upgrade. The other problems have been with a disagreement between the IA, the AV guys and JPI. I was getting hot temps and the IA was saying no way could that be true temps. JPI is saying I have a leaned carburetor and the IA says no, based on the mixture travel, but he still won't check the carb. ****ing contest. Anyway, the biggest problem was with the RPM probe after they replaced 2 probes the AV guy finally checks the pins and finds out that JPI didn't crimp them right. Now everything seems to work fine. JPI has been great getting to the bottom of all the little problems and questions. Excellent service on their part even paying shipping both ways when there's a problem.
How do I like it? It's one the best things around, I love it. All the info you need with a single glance. It is great, not only does it have bar graphs and numbers but they are in full living color like a TV set. If the temp goes to the yellow the whole bar turns yellow and the numbers that show the temp turn yellow. On top of that there’s a remote light which we installed into the warning light bar so it flashes if anything goes out of the green. If that happens, the word Alert flashes at the top of the screen in red and the reason for the alert is flashing at the bottom of the screen, also in red. But wait, there’s one more, if the temp or warning is a major alert like RPM or temps in the red, the remote screens will also start flashing with item that needs attention. So flying it only takes one look at the screen and if the only colors of the bars and numbers are green your ok. If not looking the light on the dash will get your attention. A second light came with it for low fuel. We installed that into the warning bar also. I just figured out I no longer need those little blue lights under the stack.
Things to consider if you get one.
Try to have it installed by a person who has done a 930 before or has a rep of being a great AV man. One of the installers, and appears has a close relationship with JPI, got involved in my problems at JPI's request. I asked him if all the units have problems as I was having. He told there are several hundred units out there and once and a while you have one with problems like mine but they all get fixed. Just my luck.
If you go with someone who’s never done one, get a flat rate price up front and not a by the hour. Don’t want to pay for their learning curve. If they done it before they know already how many hours it will take, JPI says 40 hours. Have your plan up front where to installed the remote screen and if your going to install the lights in the warning light bar have your parts ordered ahead of time from France. Then there’s the fuel line you have to switch over to the American style and that took a while for them to build the new lines with the new American connecters. The 930 keeps track of the total airframe time and total engine time, so no more guessing and changes when a tech or Hobbs is replaced.
If you look at my pic, you will see there really nothing else to add to the dash. In fact if I get an HSI if will free up more room. The analog TAC was left in at the bottom as a back up. So I ask this question. What do I need a co pilots dash for now? Of course it would be great for a 20”DVD screen
