FX3 newbuild - any advice ?

[viator092]

Two things not mentioned. Observer rear windows. And EarthX battery (ETX900 Experimental version). Get the post adapters to facilitate attaching a battery minder and jump pack pigtail. I use the NOCO models. If you can get the factory to mount them up even better. You’ll thank me later.

 

[Neal]

Observer rear windows

If you're talking about the unpainted rear windows, yeah, that's what I got. Personal preference but I'll take all the windows space I can get for the view.

 

[Meconiates]

What are Observer rear windows ?

I already have the EarthX 900 spec’d with pigtails.

See latest build sheet:

 

[Neal]

In reviewing my build sheet some things come to mind:

1. If you're considering a cargo pod such as carbon concepts you'll want the adel clamps installed pre-fabric for the cleanest look with no patch work later.
2. Do you want the rear stick cover? I got it and use it often as I typically don't have someone with me and the intent is dog as passenger which I've only done once to date. But if you carry cargo, etc. you don't want anything hitting the flight controls, the stick cover is a nice option, but expensive.
3. Do you want any wiring for potential cameras such as out on the right wing?
4. Do you want push to talk on the rear stick as auto pilot disconnect is the default for the button on the rear stick with PTT on the left wing root.
5. Rear seat 12V aux outlet? Never use mine but I have it
6. Additional overhead snapvents? Two is the default, I got the additional two so I have "air conditioning" as best as you're going to get.
7. I went with HD (heavy duty) fabric on the bottom of the fuselage and horizontal stab

Personally, I wouldn't pay for phase I fly off. It's darned near a scam now as the hours they need to complete the task based fly off is minimal beyond their testing. I'd just go out there, take delivery, do the fly off and have fun with it, be near the factory should you find squawks as I did, etc.

Make sure all avionics leave with the latest versions installed and also the G5 is calibrated along with the G3X, i.e. compare altimeters. My first plane was not calibrated and I had to get it done, the second one (2023) was.

 

[viator092]

What are Observer rear windows ?

I already have the EarthX 900 spec’d with pigtails.

See latest build sheet:

Rear window

 

[Neal]

Yup, also called unpainted rear windows. Love them!

 

[viator092]

Not sure what your sales guy is recommending but in order to avoid WA sales tax I took delivery at Lewiston ID. Daughter of a guy with a warbird hangar there handles paperwork. Hopefully he’s not there that day. That guy can talk. I wouldn’t want to be trapped in a cockpit with him during a week on the road.

 

[TailwindsJJ]

Has anyone see a FX3 IFR variant with either the 307 or 507 Garmin AP Head? My current SS has the 307 head with knobs for heading and altitude but it appears that Cub Crafters defaults to the 305 head when in IFR configuration because there is not enough space under the Garmin 355. The 307 head is nearly 0.5” taller than the 305.

I am trying to see if it’s possible to retain the 307 series head in my IFR configured FX3.

Hi Feel free to contact me - last July I completed an EX3 on Nantucket it’s kept there year round

 

[ve6yeq]

Two things not mentioned. Observer rear windows. And EarthX battery (ETX900 Experimental version). Get the post adapters to facilitate attaching a battery minder and jump pack pigtail. I use the NOCO models. If you can get the factory to mount them up even better. You’ll thank me later.

Please remember that if you use a “jump pack” on a Lithium based battery such as an EarthX, you will either permanently damage the battery or cause an immediate battery fire. If you ever significantly discharge a Lithium based battery, you will need a Lithium battery charger to recharge the battery before you can use it.
For the EarthX batteries, they recommend the Optimate Lithium chargers so I would have the pigtail installed at the factory if you do not have a suitable torque wrench and dielectric grease to install it yourself.

 

[Neal]

Please remember that if you use a “jump pack” on a Lithium based battery such as an EarthX, you will either permanently damage the battery or cause an immediate battery fire.

We really need to start a new thread on this and discuss this and/or also ask @earthxbatteries. I did a quick ping on chatGPT and it tells me LiFePO4 batteries can be jump started.

 

[viator092]

Please remember that if you use a “jump pack” on a Lithium based battery such as an EarthX, you will either permanently damage the battery or cause an immediate battery fire. If you ever significantly discharge a Lithium based battery, you will need a Lithium battery charger to recharge the battery before you can use it.
For the EarthX batteries, they recommend the Optimate Lithium chargers so I would have the pigtail installed at the factory if you do not have a suitable torque wrench and dielectric grease to install it yourself.

EarthX does indeed suggest Optimate but there is a lengthy list of minders on their site. I called to confirm the NOCO I use.

 

[ve6yeq]

EarthX does indeed suggest Optimate but there is a lengthy list of minders on their site. I called to confirm the NOCO I use.

For an EarthX main battery charger / minder, any good quality Lithium battery charger / minder should work.
I use the Optimate TM-275 v2 9.5amp Battery Charger/Maintainer/Power Supply (12-13.2V Batteries) when charging off AC power and Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 controller (configured for Lithium charging) with a BougeRV Arch Pro 100W Flexible Solar Panel attached to the cabin cover for “minding” as the plane is normally at an outdoor tiedown.

What model of NOCO minder do you have?

 

[viator092]

What model of NOCO minder do you have?

I set up the NOCO Genius 5 when I had an AGM battery. Wasn't looking to invest in another brand. I felt the list posted by EarthX was confusing for NOCO batteries so I called them. Good to go. I probably don't need to kept hooked up as much as I do. Wish I could remember the voltage that EarthX said was sufficient before needing a minder.

All my buddies laugh at me for buying NOCO as minders for my batteried machines. They get the $9.99 ones at Harbor Freight.

 

[viator092]

EarthX says a jumper is OK. He did caveat that if you know why it discharged (out camping and forgot to turn off ignition (done that)) then its OK. If its discharging due to a fault or bad battery then no. Also said I really don't need to put it on minder as often as I do. Probably not at all during summer but maybe a few times over winter.

 

[ve6yeq]

I set up the NOCO Genius 5 when I had an AGM battery. Wasn't looking to invest in another brand. I felt the list posted by EarthX was confusing for NOCO batteries so I called them. Good to go. I probably don't need to kept hooked up as much as I do. Wish I could remember the voltage that EarthX said was sufficient before needing a minder.

The NOCO Genius 5 has a "Lithium" mode that will work fine with the EarthX ETX series batteries. It only has a maximum of 5 Amp current, so it will take longer to charge and is not quiet enough to run all the avionics at once on the ground, but as a battery minder and for updating G3X Touch / GNC databases, it looks fine.

All my buddies laugh at me for buying NOCO as minders for my batteried machines. They get the $9.99 ones at Harbor Freight.

I also used cheap chargers for all my batteries when I was into Amateur radio. However, after a couple of years of implementing software for Ni-Cad and Lithium-Ion chargers in mobile phones, I now realize that quite a few of the battery issues from my Amateur radio days were probably caused by incorrect charging.

 

[ve6yeq]

EarthX says a jumper is OK. He did caveat that if you know why it discharged (out camping and forgot to turn off ignition (done that)) then its OK. If its discharging due to a fault or bad battery then no. Also said I really don't need to put it on minder as often as I do. Probably not at all during summer but maybe a few times over winter.

Interesting: from basic physics principles and the documentation on the EarthX website, it is clear that high-current charging of a discharged EarthX ETX series battery will cause permanent damage.

The EarthX documentation states:

If below 13.28V, the battery needs to be charged prior to an engine start attempt with an appropriate charger. Jump starting your battery in this situation is not recommended for it can damage it. Use a plug-in charger to safely and slowly bring the voltage back up to the appropriate level.

So if the battery is discharged below 13.28 Vdc, then a current-limited charger (i.e., CC/CV charging algorithm) is required, and connecting a "Jump pack" will permanently damage the battery (or let the smoke out).

If the battery is deeply discharged, the EarthX documentation says:

If below 10.5V, it is possible the battery (or cell) is damaged. Only use the EarthX approved Optimate charger to slowly recharge the battery from this over-discharged state. Do not force the battery to accept a charge as it can result in cell rupture, release of flammable vapors, and smoke/fire. If successfully charged with the Optimate charger (up to 14V), remove the charger, and let the battery sit disconnected from the vehicle for 24 hours. If the battery self-drains to below 13.3V within 24 hours, it should be replaced.

Then permanent damage might have occurred, and you must use a current-limited charger to attempt to recover the battery to an operational state.

 

[viator092]

Interesting: from basic physics principles and the documentation on the EarthX website, it is clear that high-current charging of a discharged EarthX ETX series battery will cause permanent damage.

The EarthX documentation states:

So if the battery is discharged below 13.28 Vdc, then a current-limited charger (i.e., CC/CV charging algorithm) is required, and connecting a "Jump pack" will permanently damage the battery (or let the smoke out).

If the battery is deeply discharged, the EarthX documentation says:

Then permanent damage might have occurred, and you must use a current-limited charger to attempt to recover the battery to an operational state.

I get it. Was surprised too. I figure off I can get the engine started with the battery I have other problems.