Help with a panel upgrade on my Seneca

[mcdeg]

I am wondering if this is the correct place to discuss various options for a panel upgrade in my Seneca 2

[ShawnR]

It probably depends on your questions and expected input. Lots of experience here. Throw them out there and see what happens.

[mcdeg]

I recently bought a Seneca 2 with fairly high time engines and because the engines cost so much it will prob never go into commercial service The original century autopilot works but there is no heading bug on the directional gyro. Transponder works and has been tested. Attitude indicator works and seems kinda modern. Neither navcom works very well. Has an old loran or something. Wondering if anyone has any ideas what the best and most logical panel upgrade would be. I am thinking about 2 av 30s or 2 g5s and an appropriate gps. Or maybe the aspen or dynon displays. Any help would be appreciated

[TeePeeCreeper]

Agree with ShawnR on this…

You shouldn’t be worried about what others think…

So back to your Seneca…

A GTN750, and then two G5’s (one per side) perhaps a GTX335 transponder… (some may dislike me immensely for saying this) but a KLN
98 would do the trick although a 430/530 GPS would compliment everything nicely. To me the above would be a great “suite” in that class of aircraft.

I suppose you could always go for an autopilot as well but the costs of doing so would be daunting however would make for a fine SPIFR platform.

Given the useful load on that type, unless you had a line on a FTU to lease your machine… there’s no way to justify it financially other than for your own pleasure.

That’s my two cents!

Regards,

TPC

[Big Pistons Forever]

Used Garmin 530 and 430 with 2 G5’s and Garmin audio panel, would be my recommendation. Legacy Garmin GNS’s prices have taken a hit recently when Garmin announced they were potentially cutting back on service for them. This was a naked attempt to scare people into buying new 650/750’s.
However they are no longer upgrading old non WAAS units so make sure the units you are getting are WAAS with the latest firmware.

There are over 100,000 530/430’s out there so service isn’t going away.

The biggest challenge is going to be finding a shop to do the install. Plan on about 45 K for the package installed.

[digits_]

Another thing to consider: if you spend 50k on install labor, do you really want to put in 20 - 30 year old avionics?

You mention in your original post there is an autopilot in your plane. Do you want to keep that autopilot and/or get another one? If you want an autopilot, it will likely significantly determine what the rest of your panel will look like. Look at what systems are available for your plane.

If you end up with a Garmin autopilot for example, you'll likely end up with a garmin gps and pfd as well. If you're planning on serious single pilot IFR flying, I'd highly recommend an autopilot.

Either way, for engine monitoring, I'd recommend the CGR30P https://iflyei.com/product/cgr-30p-prem ... e-monitor/

[mcdeg]

Thanks for the info. I guess I am wondering about using the original autopilot which seems to be working until it quits and then updating to a garmin or will it cost me more in the long run considering the extra cost of installing an autopilot later. Also in response to an earlier comment about putting 1 g5 on each side I was thinking about putting them both on the left one for hsi and one for attitude etc- Comments????

[digits_]

If you fly single pilot, put them both on the left side.

It will save you a lot of money in install and debugging costs if you install an autopilot at the same time as your panel upgrade.

[Big Pistons Forever]

The new and very impressive Garmin G500 autopilot is now certified for the PA34

[Bede]

Careful with avionics. I know a guy who spent $30k on a really nice panel on a PA28 with a clapped out engine and hail damage. When he was all done the avionics upgrade, he still had a PA28 with hail damage and a clapped out engine. Then he ran into some life circumstances and had to sell and couldn't get close to what he put into it.

[Big Pistons Forever]

Rule of thumb is you get 50% increase in value of what you spent for appropriate avionics upgrades. By appropriate I mean appropriate to the aircraft. Adding a new TXI 500 PFD and Garmin 750 with a GTX 345 transponder to a Cessna 150 and you would be lucky to get 10% of your investment back.

The upgrade I proposed would IMO represent an appropriate panel upgrade for a turbocharged twin like the Seneca.

In any case based on what you described you don’t have a choice. A working set of reliable avionics is not optional in an IFR twin and at least one approach approved GPS navigator is the de facto requirement to go anywhere IFR these days.

[mcdeg]

I am getting an education today Replied to two different adds with 750s with 8130 and lots of accessories and both turned out to be scams so I am starting over

[Big Pistons Forever]

Get your avionics shop to source the radio’s. It will be way less hassle in the long run as if there are any issues with the radios the shop should take responsibility. If you show up with some random set if radios and say install them, they will take no responsibility for any issues and charge you full rate for any repairs.

[TeePeeCreeper]

Get your avionics shop to source the radio’s. It will be way less hassle in the long run as if there are any issues with the radios the shop should take responsibility. If you show up with some random set if radios and say install them, they will take no responsibility for any issues and charge you full rate for any repairs.

Strongly second BPF on this.

TPC

[mcdeg]

I got the help I needed here. Thanks. Can someone delete this for me or tell me how todo it