Testing a TruTrak Pictorial Turn & Bank indicator on the ground?

[son_of_flubber]

Is there a procedure to test/verify a TruTrak Pictorial Turn & Bank on the ground/bench? (It's not installed in the panel yet.)

I've no reason to suspect that this used unit is broken. I'm able to test the continuity and the stepper motor makes a little warble when it powers up.

Setting the unit on a level table, the 'horizon' matches the wingspan icon. Tilt and hold unit at 45 degrees and the stepper motor adjusts the 'horizon' to match the wingspan icon. Tilt unit back to level and the stepper moves the 'horizon' back to match the wingspan icon. Same for the opposite tilt. (The wingspan icon is fixed on the glass of the instrument. The 'horizon' is rotated by the stepper motor.)

I'm not simulating the G, centripetal, and yaw forces that the sensor would read in a real banking aircraft, so the fact that the unit does not rotate the horizon icon to match my level floor is not altogether surprising, but I'm wondering if the behavior of the display as described is expected.

Are there any other tests that I can do before installing the unit in my panel and going for a test flight?

Secondary question. There are three labeled electrical connections: power, ground, AUX. Does AUX have a function? Is it to illuminate the instrument face?

[Tango Eight]

On Monday, February 11, 2019 at 8:24:00 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:

> Setting the unit on a level table, the 'horizon' matches the wingspan icon. Tilt and hold unit at 45 degrees and the stepper motor adjusts the 'horizon' to match the wingspan icon. Tilt unit back to level and the stepper moves the 'horizon' back to match the wingspan icon. Same for the opposite tilt. (The wingspan icon is fixed on the glass of the instrument. The 'horizon' is rotated by the stepper motor.)

It's a turn gyro, not a horizon reference. Figure it out.

T8

[Dan Marotta]

What Evan said.Â* You could place it on a turn table, lazy susan, etc.,
and spin it slowly and it should respond correctly.Â* It's a turn
indicator, like a needle/ball instrument without the ball, IIRC.Â* I used
to have one and I only connected the power (through a toggle switch) and
ground when I had one.Â* BTW, I was not sufficiently impressed with it to
consider cloud flying and I've done a lot of that in powered planes
(needle, ball, airspeed).

On 2/12/2019 4:38 AM, Tango Eight wrote:
> On Monday, February 11, 2019 at 8:24:00 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
>
>> Setting the unit on a level table, the 'horizon' matches the wingspan icon. Tilt and hold unit at 45 degrees and the stepper motor adjusts the 'horizon' to match the wingspan icon. Tilt unit back to level and the stepper moves the 'horizon' back to match the wingspan icon. Same for the opposite tilt. (The wingspan icon is fixed on the glass of the instrument. The 'horizon' is rotated by the stepper motor.)
> It's a turn gyro, not a horizon reference. Figure it out.
>
> T8

--
Dan, 5J

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

It's a riddle, I am NOT an expert.......
Maybe tape the unit to handlebars of a bicycle/motorcycle, apply external power, turn unit on and ride around straight as well as turns in both directions.

Why?

In a car it "banks the wrong way" for a turn.

Just a thought.....I am sure there are better ways, I'm trying to think of cheap and easy ways......

BTW, hi Evan......say Hi to the family......

[[email protected]]

On Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 12:31:18 PM UTC-5, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
> It's a riddle, I am NOT an expert.......
> Maybe tape the unit to handlebars of a bicycle/motorcycle, apply external power, turn unit on and ride around straight as well as turns in both directions.
>
> Why?
>
> In a car it "banks the wrong way" for a turn.
>
> Just a thought.....I am sure there are better ways, I'm trying to think of cheap and easy ways......
>
> BTW, hi Evan......say Hi to the family......

It should bank the "right" way in a car. In a right turn it will show a right bank. How much depends on the rate of turn, it could be done in a big empty parking lot.

What does the manufacturer say ? Do you have the manual ?

Todd Smith
3S

[Dan Marotta]

The TruTrak does not display bank.Â* It shows rate of turn which, as we
all know, varies with airspeed given a constant bank angle. IMHO, a turn
needle is much better than the TruTrak display which can lead some to
think that it's displaying bank.

On 2/12/2019 12:52 PM, wrote:
> On Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 12:31:18 PM UTC-5, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
>> It's a riddle, I am NOT an expert.......
>> Maybe tape the unit to handlebars of a bicycle/motorcycle, apply external power, turn unit on and ride around straight as well as turns in both directions.
>>
>> Why?
>>
>> In a car it "banks the wrong way" for a turn.
>>
>> Just a thought.....I am sure there are better ways, I'm trying to think of cheap and easy ways......
>>
>> BTW, hi Evan......say Hi to the family......
> It should bank the "right" way in a car. In a right turn it will show a right bank. How much depends on the rate of turn, it could be done in a big empty parking lot.
>
> What does the manufacturer say ? Do you have the manual ?
>
> Todd Smith
> 3S

--
Dan, 5J

[Scott Williams]

On Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 7:06:40 PM UTC-6, Dan Marotta wrote:
> The TruTrak does not display bank.Â* It shows rate of turn which, as we
> all know, varies with airspeed given a constant bank angle. IMHO, a turn
> needle is much better than the TruTrak display which can lead some to
> think that it's displaying bank.
>
> On 2/12/2019 12:52 PM, wrote:
> > On Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 12:31:18 PM UTC-5, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
> >> It's a riddle, I am NOT an expert.......
> >> Maybe tape the unit to handlebars of a bicycle/motorcycle, apply external power, turn unit on and ride around straight as well as turns in both directions.
> >>
> >> Why?
> >>
> >> In a car it "banks the wrong way" for a turn.
> >>
> >> Just a thought.....I am sure there are better ways, I'm trying to think of cheap and easy ways......
> >>
> >> BTW, hi Evan......say Hi to the family......
> > It should bank the "right" way in a car. In a right turn it will show a right bank. How much depends on the rate of turn, it could be done in a big empty parking lot.
> >
> > What does the manufacturer say ? Do you have the manual ?
> >
> > Todd Smith
> > 3S
>
> --
> Dan, 5J

a Spinning office chair might be helpful, LoL
Scott