Vertical Power solid state electrical systems for experimental aircraft

Product Overview
Vertical Power offers the industry’s first modern, solid-state electrical system for experimental aircraft. With systems starting at under $1,500 and growing from there, we have a product to suit your needs.

All Vertical Power systems are completely configurable to match your aircraft and the way you fly.
Click on a product picture for more information.

		VP-50 Priced at under $1,500 the VP-50 is designed for basic VFR aircraft. It provides complete circuit protection and switching, and advanced features like runaway trim protection with backup controls, over-voltage protection, dual-alternator control, current monitoring, and trim annunciation. Optional aircraft wiring harness available. Click here for more information on the VP-50.
		VP-100 The VP-100 is similar to the VP-50, and adds flap control and annunciation, e-bus circuitry for backup protection, more switched circuits, dimming and soft start for lighting, a remote key fob, and a built-in master switch. Click here for more information on the VP-100.

		VP-200 The VP-200 is the electrical system for advanced VFR and IFR-capable aircraft. It provides device switching and circuit protection, overall electrical system management, runaway trim protection, backup circuitry, engine monitoring, advanced safety features, and remote control operation. It supports single or dual alternator systems, single or dual battery systems, and piston or turbine applications. Optional aircraft wiring harness available. Requires external engine monitor and GPS. Click here for more information on the VP-200.
		VP-200 Duo The VP-200 Duo is the same as the VP-200 but includes a second Control Unit for additional redundancy and power-switching capacity. Also supports a dual independent bus architecture. Optional aircraft wiring harness available. Requires external engine monitor and GPS. Click here for more information on the VP-200.
		VP-200 Climate Control System Developed in conjunction with Flightline AC of Bend, Oregon, the VP-200 Climate Control System provides a climate control experience similar to that found in modern automobiles. Simply specify the cabin temperature you desire, and the system controls the heater and air conditioning sub-systems. Full system status and faults displayed on a color LCD screen. Requires the VP-200 or VP-200 Duo, and air conditioning components. Click here for more information on the Climate Control System.

Introduction

Vertical Power offers you a new way to wire and fly your experimental aircraft. Wiring is simplified by using a centralized, fault-tolerant Control Unit to control electrical power to the devices and contactors on your aircraft. Most switches, circuit breakers, and various modules are replaced by modern, solid-state circuitry. Routine pilot tasks are handled by an intelligent, microprocessor-controlled system that allows you to spend more time flying with your head outside the cockpit.

You have full control of your electrical system. Automatic, manual, or override.

You have complete flexibility to change and upgrade your electrical system and the way it operates.

And it’s easier to install and does more than a traditional aircraft electrical system, yet it’s based on time-honored system designs.

Wiring With Vertical Power
Wiring your airplane is a serious project. No one can make it easy, but we can make it a lot easier. We provide complete instructions, how-to guides, tool rentals, wiring harnesses and wiring diagrams to assist with your project (you can download the documents here).

Rather than point to point to point wiring, you wire from the Vertical Power Control Unit (CU) to the electrical devices. Run a wire from the CU to the landing light. Run a wire to the starter contactor. Run a wire to the transponder. Run a bundle of five wires to a trim servo. Run two wires to the flap motor. Run a wire from each trim switch to the CU. Until you’re done. You get the idea.

Then use the setup menus on the Display Unit to configure your system. You tell it what devices you have, what the circuit breaker values are, and when each device should turn on or off. You configure the engine parameters, external switch inputs, and various behaviors (like whether or not to raise the flaps after engine start).

Wiring the VP-200:

Wiring the VP-100/VP-50:

Take a look at the Quick Start program and learn how to get flying sooner!

Safety Features
(note: some features available in a future no-charge software release)

Graphical electrical display: view the entire electrical system in graphical format and when a problem occurs you can see exactly what it is.

Runaway trim protection: If your trim switch sticks or one of the switch wires shorts, you can stop the trim from running by pressing the opposite trim button. Soon the trim switches are automatically disabled and you can use the backup trim switches.

Automatic boost pump activation: If the fuel pressure drops, the boost pump can come on automatically.

Backup circuits: you can easily wire backup circuits for critical instruments, providing an additional layer of safety.

Wig-wag the landing lights: this provides additional visibility in the air, and the lights can automatically go steady below a certain airspeed providing additional safety near the ground.

Quick response to emergencies: press the red emergency button, then another button to specify the emergency and the emergency checklist appears and a pre-configured set of actions occurs to resolve the emergency.

Current fault alerts: know right when a landing light burns out, not at your next pre-flight.

Aircraft configuration checks: ensure that electrical devices, mag switch, landing gear, and trim & flap control surfaces are configured correctly for engine start, takeoff, and landing.

Load shedding: you can load shed different electrical devices for VMC or IMC conditions, leaving on those best suited for the particular weather conditions at the time.

Audio alerts for electrical failures: an alarm in your headset, as well as a visual display, alerts you when an electrical failure occurs so you know exactly when it happens. With fuses or breakers, you may not notice the failure until you actually need the failed device.

Dual solid-state switches on critical circuits: additional safety is built into critical functions like the trim, flaps, and starter circuits to mitigate the risk of hardware failures causing inadvertent activation.

Help Me
Many of our customers have lots of electrical system questions including planning, alternator selection, wire sizing, crimping, load shedding, bus architecture, and all the little things that come up along the way. We’re here to help you through the entire planning, building and testing processes. And the installation and operating manuals are very thorough.

We strongly emphasize electrical system planning before you do any actual wiring. This leads to fewer problems and a more reliable electrical system down the road, which ultimately enhances safety. It’s much easier to change a wiring diagram than the actual wiring in a plane.

The Vertical Power Advantage
Here are some reasons to consider a modern, solid-state electrical system for your experimental aircraft:

Handles routine tasks.
The VP-200 handles routine tasks for you so you can focus on flying the airplane and keeping your head outside the cockpit. It can turn on your boost pump and landing lights at takeoff or landing, turn on your alternator and avionics automatically after engine start, inflate and deflate the canopy/door seal, and set your trim and flaps while on the ground, to name just a few.

Advanced features.
Without complex wiring or additional modules, you can incorporate advanced features into your aircraft like reduced trim sensitivity at speed, auto trim compensation when lowering flaps, intermediate flap settings, wig-wagging the landing lights, automatic switching to the backup alternator, configurable load-shedding, disabled landing gear on the ground, and alerts when the landing & taxi lights fail.

Rapid emergency detection and response.
You are notified of engine and electrical faults with voice and visual alarms. And when you need to respond to an emergency, you can see an emergency checklist and activate a pre-configured set of actions with two simple button presses.

Safety features.
The VP-200 also includes important safety features like runaway trim protection and reminders when the mag switch is set in the wrong position. A graphical electrical system display shows you the status of the electrical system in clear, concise graphics and is updated in real time. When a failure occurs, you know exactly what’s happening.

Makes changes easier.
Thinking about adding a backup alternator or installing a new electrical device in the future? Need to change a circuit breaker value? Want to change what is on your emergency bus? With little or no wiring you can make these changes using the on-screen setup menus.

Clean, simple panel.
For those who value a clean, clutter-free instrument panel, the Vertical Power system goes a long way towards helping you achieve this goal. Many switches, annunciators, and lights are built into the Vertical Power products.

Reduces parts count and complexity.
You don’t have to buy fuse blocks, diodes, circuit breakers, most switches, over-voltage & under-voltage modules, trim modules, voltage converters, relay decks, indicators, annunciator lights, mechanical engine gauges, key switches, flap controllers, dimmers, or landing gear disable systems. No more complex wiring diagrams. Fewer connections and mechanical components means fewer opportunities for failure.

Reduces build time.
Not having to plan, draw wiring diagrams, and actually wire all the components in the previous paragraph saves a lot of time. Wiring is simplified because you run power wires from the Vertical Power system directly to the electrical devices that need power such as the avionics, flaps, trim motors & switches, and contactors.

Convenience features.
Enjoy the convenience of automatic shut-off of your electrical system if left on after flight - never leave the master switch on again! Plus, convenience features like voice alerts and a remote key fob that you can use to turn on the cabin lights or unlock the canopy.


VP-50 Product Information	VP-100 Product Information	VP-200 Product Information

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For additional information on Vertical Power
products click on these links below
VP-50 Product Information
VP-100 Product Information
VP-200 and VP-200 Duo Product Information
VP-200 Climate Control System
Product Feature Comparison
Quick Start Program
FAQs
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Product Feature Comparison
Quick Start Program
FAQs
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