Can not get astrick with Garmin 430

[SHORTRV7]

Hello Trutrak, I just started flying my RV-7 equiped with DFII-VSGV, solfware v2.22, bought the AP from Stien in 2008. I went into the Config on my Garmin 430 and set the MAIN ARINC 429, row OUT set to SPEED to Low and DATA to ARINC 429, then in the MAIN RS232 CONFIG page set CHNL1 OUTPUT to Aviation. My question is, why don't I get a TRK mode with a astrick or Star blinking or even just a astrick Star reading? All I get is HDG. When I fly it does follow the route set in the 430 that I am flying. What eles do I need to do?
Thanks,
Don Short

[TrutrakTech]

Hi Don,

It's possible that your AP is not connected to RS232 channel 1. Try changing channel 2 to Aviation. Also, double check that your AP baud rate is set to 9600. Thanks!

[SHORTRV7]

Hi True Track, I changed like you said to channel 2 = aviation and put channel 1 back to where it was and it still doesn't display the dot or astrick but still tracks in gpss to the flight of the 430, so now what do i do?
Thanks,
Don Short

[SHORTRV7]

I have tried what you said and I still can't get the Astric or the plus sign. I want this to happen so I can get my gyros set, they are off by 20 degrees even when I push for 10 seconds.
Don

[TrutrakTech]

Don,

My apologies on the late response, I've been out of the office for quite some time. Have you verified the wiring to make sure the connection is correct? If you're getting GPSS, then your ARINC 429 connections are correct. This doesn't necessarily mean the RS232 is connected properly.

Also, doing a gyro set will not affect the magnetometer calibration at all. You need the GPS serial input correct first before calibrating the magnetometer, which is what is causing the 20° discrepancy. I hope this helps. Thanks!

[SHORTRV7]

Thanks Lucas, When I get time I will try and check my wiring, huh. To get the gyros set can only be done when connected to the 430???
Thanks,
Don Short

[TrutrakTech]

It's not the gyros, they are calibrated each time the unit powers up. They don't need any external reference. It's the magentometer that is what you're trying to calibrate. It is used when the AP does not have a GPS input present, and only then.

[SHORTRV7]

So it being off by 25 to 30 degrees can't be adjusted until I get connected to the 430, is that right?
Thanks,
Don

[TrutrakTech]

Right. You can technically do it on the ground, but it's a real pain in the backside. You need the RS232 input to the AP to properly calibrate the magnetomter. However, like I said, once you have the RS232 connected and setup, you won't be using the magnetometer at all.

[SHORTRV7]

Found shield touching the 232 wire from the 430, now i get a plus sign, haven't flown yet but i think i found the problem, thanks for the help
don