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VP-X Installation and Operating Manual
Rev. D (August 5, 2020)
1. Introduction
1.1
Welcome to Vertical Power!
The VP-X is an innovative way to intelligently control the electrical devices
on your aircraft using electronic circuit breakers (ECBs). The VP-X family
includes the VP-X Pro and the VP-X Sport models. This manual covers both
products. The physical installation for both products is identical, and setup
is nearly identical (the difference being that the VP-X Sport has eight fewer
circuits).
While the VP-X makes life a lot easier for the builder, it’s not simply a plug-
and-play solution. The builder must still run wires to electrically-powered
components and this wiring takes some careful planning. Please take the
time to read and understand this manual before proceeding.
This manual describes the installation steps and techniques necessary
to install the VP-X. It is also intended to provide the information you need
to know to capably wire your electrical system. Because many of the
features are controlled using the setup menus rather than with hard-wired
components, you can easily change things in the future.
This manual is updated as required, so check the Vertical Power web site for
updates during your build.
If you follow each of the five steps outlined in this manual, you will have a
safe and full-featured electrical system.
1.2
Vertical Power Terms
VP-X
VP-X is used by itself when the topic covers both the Pro
and Sport models. When the topic covers only a specific
product, then either “VP-X Pro” or “VP-X Sport” is used.
PPS
The Vertical Power Primary Power System (PPS) is a
solid-state device that handles high-current primary power,
replacing electro-mechanical components.
Device
A user of electrical power. It may be a light, radio, GPS
receiver, contactor, or EFIS, just to name a few. A device is
wired to a power pin on the VP-X.
Pin
A pin refers to a physical pin on one of the VP-X connectors
that provides power to a device. Special-purpose pins
are provided for flaps, trim, starter, and EFIS. Most pins,
however, are generic and can be configured to match the
type of load it is powering. Each pin has a maximum current
rating up to 15 amps.
State
There are three states: on, off, or faulted. Faulted is
equivalent of a tripped circuit breaker.
Connector
Two types of connectors are used throughout the system.
D-sub connectors are smaller and provide signal and
low power (less than 2 amps) connections. The VP-X
incorporates high quality, gold plated, machined-barrel
connectors. High-quality, Molex gold-plated connectors
are used to provide power (up to 15 amps) to high current
devices.
AWG
American Wire Gauge – a standard that describes the size
of the wire.
Circuit breaker While the VP-X does not use conventional circuit breakers or
fuses, the term is very common and herein is used to mean
the maximum current a circuit will draw before faulting.
Fault
The VP-X protects each circuit from short circuits, over-
current conditions, and current fault (open circuit) faults.
When a fault occurs, the VP-X turns the faulted device off,
and the EFIS displays an alarm message. You can then
reset or clear the fault from the EFIS screen, similar to
resetting a circuit breaker.
Backup circuit A backup circuit allows you to power a device directly from
the battery through an external switch (separate from the
VP-X). When the external switch is turned on, fused power is
provided directly from the battery to the device regardless of
whether or not the battery contactor is closed or the VP-X is
turned on. Wiring these circuits is optional.
B-lead
This is the large wire that goes from the alternator to the
main electrical bus. It provides current from the alternator to
the battery and electrical bus.
p-lead
This is the wire that goes from the mag switch to the
magneto. There is a p-lead for each magneto.