Can I bench test a KX155 at home?

jd21476

jd21476

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jd21476
Does anyone know how to bench test a KX155 at home prior to install? I just picked up a 14v version pretty cheap and was told “its in good working condition.” I would like to teat it prior to install to make sure that it does in fact work. Anyone know how to do this?
 
Find someone that has a KX155 installed in their airplane, slip it out of the rack and slip yours in. Turn it on and see if it works. This would be a whole lot simpler than what you're proposing for a one time checkout.
 
If you want an even more definitive checkout, give it to an avionics shop and have them check it.
 
Witmo said:
Find someone that has a KX155 installed in their airplane, slip it out of the rack and slip yours in. Turn it on and see if it works. This would be a whole lot simpler than what you're proposing for a one time checkout.
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That's how I would do it too.
 
Witmo said:
If you want an even more definitive checkout, give it to an avionics shop and have them check it.
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What Witmo said. Any av shop worth their salt will plug it into a bench test stand and test for you no-charge.
 
Witmo said:
Find someone that has a KX155 installed in their airplane, slip it out of the rack and slip yours in. Turn it on and see if it works. This would be a whole lot simpler than what you're proposing for a one time checkout.
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Exactly what I would say.
 
I have done this several times with my avionics guy; this is the only way to do a useful test.
Otherwise, how are you going to hook up to the connector at the back? Alligator clips?
You'd need over a half dozen, lol. Think blue smoke.
Even then can you measure the output wattage of a transmission?
My avionics guy can do a half dozen function tests that you are not going to get on the average home garage bench, and he won't make the thing smoke.

BTW, I think asking skilled people with expensive equpment to work for free is not something any person worth their salt would do. My avionics guy charges me and I am happy to pay him.
 
If you got the tray, find the schematics so you know which pins are power and rig an antenna for bench test.
 
jd21476 said:
I just picked up a 14v version pretty cheap and was told “its in good working condition.”
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FWIW: while using another aircraft as a test bed is convenient, etc., without knowing more history on this unit there is always a risk this radio may cause an issue in the test aircraft. Considering you got it cheap, getting a function check (not bench check) done at a shop will give you a better result. Last function check I did cost me $95 while bench checks were going around $250.
 
Clip4 said:
Any pilot who is worth his salt wouldn’t ask a shop he wasn’t a known customer of to do this.
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Oh c'mon! Shops bench test equipment every day that is shipped or brought in. Radio is benched, tested, signed off (if within specs) and returned to the customer with a bill.
 
Clip4 said:
Any pilot who is worth his salt wouldn’t ask a shop he wasn’t a known customer of to do this.
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Absolutely, why not. New customer relationships start with a dialog. Doesn’t sound like the OP has a relationship with an Av shop. Maybe he gets a small charge for the bench power on, but likely not. I’ve never seen a shop charge for a smoke test on a bench rig.

Since when is it an insult to bring a bring a KX-155 to an av shop? The OP was looking for a smoke test, not a complete diagnostic.
 
NordicDave said:
Absolutely, why not. New customer relationships start with a dialog. Doesn’t sound like the OP has a relationship with an Av shop. Maybe he gets a small charge for the bench power on, but likely not. I’ve never seen a shop charge for a smoke test on a bench rig.

Since when is it an insult to bring a bring a KX-155 to an av shop? The OP was looking for a smoke test, not a complete diagnostic.
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It’s not as long as you aren’t insulted when they tell you they are too busy today.
 
All this sounds good and I would prefer to take it to a shop. Anyone have any recommendations for a reputable avionics shop in the San Diego area? I am going to need some new avionics anyway.
 
IMHO, as others have said take it to and avionics shop and get it tested to specs. Why play around with a piece of equipment vital to flight safety.
 
weirdjim said:
Last time I looked, no radio ever flew an airplane into the side of a mountain.

Jim
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Something to consider, ATC has helped me a lot navigating weather in the mountains. Especially storm track and speed. Also in an emergency I’d like to let someone know I was in trouble since so much is wilderness in the mountainous west.
 
jd21476 said:
All this sounds good and I would prefer to take it to a shop. Anyone have any recommendations for a reputable avionics shop in the San Diego area? I am going to need some new avionics anyway.
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Aren't you at Gillespie? Try instrument Overhaul service. They are a full service avionics shop located near the cafe.
 
I am out of Gillespie and will probably use Instrument Overhaul but its always good to get recommendations. I have never used them before and for all I know they could be terrible.
 
FWIW, I have a vote against Neal at Gillespie.

Their QA seems to be trending to zero based on my (and several other's) recent experiences. I hope they pull their head up and get better.

For my panel replacement, I used Ramona Avionics.
 
So I just put the new KX155 into my buddies plane and it works just fine. I told him I didnt want to mess up his plane but he said it wouldnt be an issue.
 
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