Jack La Bounty is in the process of an extensive T-28A restoration. He has chosen to integrate both the Vertical Power VP-X Pro and the PPS as part of the project. Jack tells his own story below. As he is still early in the restoration process, we'll check in from time to time and provide updates on his exciting project.
From Jack LaBounty:
"One of the most difficult decisions of any aircraft restoration is whether to stay with, or replace, the original instrumentation, communications, navigation and electrical power components. In the disassembly process of my T-28A restoration, I was unable to salvage any of the original electrical wiring or connectors, and was looking at a major overhaul or replacement of all of the DC power system components. After deciding to upgrade, I felt I needed a DC power source system that provided a clean and reliable power for current day electronic instrumentation, communications and navigation systems. My approach was to consider what North American Aviation would consider installing if they were building T-28s today. The primary changes would probably be an alternator instead of a generator, and “glass” instrumentation instead of analog instrumentation. Most T-28s are still using generators, and many have mostly analog instrumentation. Given the level to which I took my T-28A down for restoration, I had the opportunity to completely replace the DC power system without trying to integrate newer components with existing original 1940’s designed components.
For the DC power battery and alternator installation, I chose to use the Vertical Power Primary Power System (PPS) to control the battery and alternator power contactor interfaces to the aircraft’s electrical distribution system. The PPS also replaced the starter relay with a solid state contactor. I then chose to use the Vertical Power VP-X Pro for electrical power distribution to most of the aircrafts electrical circuits. Besides being a replacement for mechanical circuit breakers, it has a “switch input controlled circuit” feature that is convenient for use in the T-28. As part of the original T-28 power distribution system, there is a Control Shift Relay component used to shift which cockpit, front or rear, has control over a number of electrical circuits. The original Control Shift Relay was a box full of electrical mechanical relays. This component has given grief to many T-28 owners and if any relay in the box fails, it is difficult to repair, and to my knowledge, no one designed a Control Shift Relay replacement. I replaced the Control Shift Relay with a single magnetic latching relay with a few contacts to control which cockpit has a ground circuit to a number of input controlled circuit switches in each cockpit. The controlled input circuit switch is only providing a ground connection to the VP-X and is not passing the current through the switch that is going to the component(s) on that circuit. The amperage to the circuit’s component(s) is directly from the VP-X circuit breaker circuit programed to the “controlled input circuit switch.”
The Vertical Power VP-X Pro will save on wiring complexity to my instrumentation, communication, navigation, and interior and exterior lighting circuits when installed. The aircraft’s fuel and hydraulic electrical components will remain on manual circuit breakers. With a planned EFIS installation, the visual monitoring of the operational status of my VP-X electrical distribution circuits will be simplified."
Jack La Bounty
T-28A s/n: 51-7681
N1628T
La Center, WA
