TWX670 FAQs

Ted-

will the TWX670 interface to the IFD540 to display weather data??

The 2013 Price List shows a huge, 50%, price increase (up $4000) for the TWX670!
Is that correct?

Yes, that new price is correct.

I'm checking.  I'll post the response here and on the other thread where you poised the questions.

Just strikes.  Much more accurate than other lightning sensor devices but still just strikes on the Aspen.

Hi Eric,

If a Dynon Skyview can accept a WX500 input, then yes.

I know the GTN750 can accept WX500 input.

The TWX670 has a mode where it can emulate the output of the WX500 so in those cases, you would get monochrome strikes presented on any display that can take WX500 input.

Bump.

Installation of the TWX antenna requires careful evaluation of candidate installation sites for a variety of factors including EMI, ground plane, and nearby radiating antennas.  I strongly encourage you to contact the Avidyne support team (techsupport@avidyne.com) to get a copy of the TWX670 installation manual and carefully review the more detailed guidance provided there.  Here are some excerpts from the installation manual that may help to address your immediate questions:

 “There are special considerations for composite or fabric-covered airframes.  A ground plane approximately double the size of the antenna base (at minimum) is recommended for proper operation.  The ground plane should be physically grounded to the airframe.  The ground plane may be installed on the inside surface of the aircraft skin.  Use the backing plate and mounting hardware supplied with the Installation Kit to mount the antenna to the fuselage skin so electrical contact is made between the ground plane and the backing plate (the backing plate is grounded to the antenna by the mounting screws).”

 “The antenna should be located 36 inches or more away from the nearest transmitting antenna.”

 “CAUTION: It is essential to avoid mounting the TWX670 antenna in areas on the airframe that carry currents, such as the area between the alternator and the aircraft battery (see Figure 7 on page 41).”

I have the same setup in my Bonanza. Yes, I have seen strikes while on the ground and in the air. All you see is an 'X' although I've also seen a lightning bolt and not sure why, or if the IFD was improperly set to receive lightning data from my datalink weather system. It does not show the colored cell mode like the EX500/600 product and I believe that is in the candidate release database.

I use to have an insight strike finder and was totally confident with how that system worked. I'm still getting use to the TWX670 and wish the IFD had a page on the AUX tab where you see the status of external devices like the TWX, traffic, etc. We do have it for weather.

I've been told that if you take an electric drill and run it whil holding it near the TWX antenna it will show strikes, but my installation does not. However, it does appear to work just fine in the air.

Thanks for your perspectives. I know my shop tried testing with a drill and it didn't give the results he had gotten with other systems (like the Insight I also had and trusted before) so he purchased the fancy test box, which looks really simple and somewhat crudely made but does create test data.

I don't suppose it takes a lot of time for strikes to start showing up? I'm thinking strikes would show right away. I hear of a 3 minute refresh cycle for clearing the strikes...  can't imagine there would be any sort of warm up period for them to start once the display has booted.

I'll watch for another chance to do some testing, perhaps start when I can do a little flying while the cells approach.

AviJake wrote: Yes, the IFD540 will support an interface to the TWX670 at initial release.  Initial support will include the TWX670 strikes depiction and subsequent software releases of the IFD540 will add the "full-color TWX" support.

Gring wrote: I do wish that the IFDXX0 had a test mode to show communication with the device because I to months without any strikes and never know if it is properly working.  Then comes a weather day and I see strikes which is the only way to know it works.

Gring wrote: I have had a TWX670 in my system since before production code.  It works just fine and currently shows strike mode with an X, just like a WX500 system.  The cell mode as implemented in the EX500/600 has not been completed for the IFDXX0 but is in the feature candidate database. Mine works just fine and it has shown strikes this past 2 weeks here in the NE.  It is far less sensitive than my previous Insight Strikefinder in that I think it is more accurate and displays less false signals. I do wish that the IFDXX0 had a test mode to show communication with the device because I to months without any strikes and never know if it is properly working.  Then comes a weather day and I see strikes which is the only way to know it works.

ddgates wrote: AviJake wrote: Yes, the IFD540 will support an interface to the TWX670 at initial release.  Initial support will include the TWX670 strikes depiction and subsequent software releases of the IFD540 will add the "full-color TWX" support. Has this been accomplished?  If not, is there a plan?

I'm told that there is  a diagnostics page in Maintenance mode that allows you to check it out.

Steve, the TWX user guide has a test procedure as well as a number of additional features and functions that help understand the operating status of the device. These have not yet been developed in the IFD navigators for full support of the device. Perhaps it is available in the EX500/600, I'm not sure, but not in the IFD. See pages 29-30 (system test mode). This is what needs to be added to the IFD.

In the IFD maintenance mode, I'm not sure where one would be able to test the device. The only thing I can find is the RS232 input and output setup of the device. The L3 WX500 has a test mode in the maintenance screen, but not the TWX670.

Can you expand?

Edited by Gring - 14 Aug 2018 at 3:09pm

ddgates wrote:  I guess it is all relative, Steve. High priority to me means I have all Avi equipment (2 IFDs etc, and much more), including a TWX670 - which gives its "advantages" only when not displayed in stike mode. It would be a priority for me and supporting your own equipment on your own devices should be for Avidyne as well.

Just checked and it's still on the list, but low priority.