Electronic Artificial Horizon

[Stuart Kinnear]

Would appreciate any feedback as I am considering buying

Stuart KInnear

[[email protected]]

On May 2, 3:21 am, "Stuart Kinnear" > wrote:
> Would appreciate any feedback as I am considering buying
>
> Stuart KInnear

for my money, if youve got an experimental glider, go for the Dynon
10A flight display. the power draw is low and you get a lot more info
than just an AI. If you are looking for something certified then you
got to stick with a Attitude Indicator. Lots of avionics and
instrument shops sell them. www.oxaero.com is glider oriented and has
TruTraks for about a thousand bucks.

[Tuno]

I tried one a year ago but eventually had to pull it out because it
wouldn't stay calibrated. The lightness of the glider seemed to make
it too sensitive to bumps, and when I pulled out of thermals it would
be off kilter. Sometimes it would do the same flying straight and
level.

The dealer worked with me to try all the various software settings for
sensitivty and calibration to make it work but couldn't.

ymmv/2NO

[Markus Graeber]

I was looking at the same issue a while back and among others ran
across the MGL system:

http://www.mglavionics.co.za/singles.html

It looks very interesting, Craggy Aero is selling this one along with
the TruTrack system (http://www.craggyaero.com/solidstate.htm). I
don't have any experience with it, anyone like to comment on the MGL
system?

There was a similar thread a while back which you can find here (with
no info on the MGL system):

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.aviation.soaring/browse_thread/thread/e0c6f492ab5dce02/fb15eb8e7bcde380

Markus

[Tuno]

That's the one I tried unsuccessfully last year.

[Paul Remde]

Which one?


"Tuno" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> That's the one I tried unsuccessfully last year.
>

[Tuno]

AHRS-1

[Eric Greenwell]

Stuart Kinnear wrote:
> Would appreciate any feedback as I am considering buying

For what purpose: cloud flying, or just keeping it upright if you get
sucked into a cloud? And do you require the instrument be certified?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

[Martin Gregorie[_1_]]

Tuno wrote:
> AHRS-1
>
Has that been improved?

I remember asking about it 2-3 years back and was told then by one of
the local UK agents that it toppled after a few circles. His firm was
selling the rival PCFlightSystems Egyro2 which possibly affected his
advice a little. However, he did say that the Egyro2 had the same
problem until they nagged PCFlightSystems into improving it to the point
that it could take continuous circling.

I like the AHRS-1 and -2 display better (monochrome, not colour) so I'm
curious to know if there's been any upgrades.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

[[email protected]]

On May 2, 5:52 am, wrote:
> for my money, if youve got an experimental glider, go for the Dynon
> 10A flight display. the power draw is low and you get a lot more info
> than just an AI.

The spec at Dynon says 8 watts, which translates to 670 mA, which
doesn't sound low to me, at least for a glider. Or is the actual draw
less than the spec? Admittedly a lot less than a mechanical gyro, but
not something I could run continually for any time. I tried to find
the current draw of the TruTrak units, but couldn't. I think they're
better, but does anyone know for sure?

[Ramy]

On May 2, 11:03 pm, wrote:
> On May 2, 5:52 am, wrote:
>
> > for my money, if youve got an experimental glider, go for the Dynon
> > 10A flight display. the power draw is low and you get a lot more info
> > than just an AI.
>
> The spec at Dynon says 8 watts, which translates to 670 mA, which
> doesn't sound low to me, at least for a glider. Or is the actual draw
> less than the spec? Admittedly a lot less than a mechanical gyro, but
> not something I could run continually for any time. I tried to find
> the current draw of the TruTrak units, but couldn't. I think they're
> better, but does anyone know for sure?

I don't have the numbers but the TruTrak drain is very low. I am
running my TruTrak from the same 7AH battery as my transponder and it
is good for at least 6 hours. You can also add an on/off switch and
turn it on only when it may be needed, as it starts instantly.

Ramy

[Martin Gregorie[_1_]]

wrote:
> On May 2, 5:52 am, wrote:
>> for my money, if youve got an experimental glider, go for the Dynon
>> 10A flight display. the power draw is low and you get a lot more info
>> than just an AI.
>
> The spec at Dynon says 8 watts, which translates to 670 mA, which
> doesn't sound low to me, at least for a glider. Or is the actual draw
> less than the spec? Admittedly a lot less than a mechanical gyro, but
> not something I could run continually for any time. I tried to find
> the current draw of the TruTrak units, but couldn't. I think they're
> better, but does anyone know for sure?
>
This probably won't be much help, but.....

There is no manual for the Tru-Trak T&S on their site - at least I
couldn't find one, but I did find one for the ADI, which is somewhat
similar. It didn't quote actual drain, but did say that the wiring and
fuse should handle 2 amps.

OTOH, instruments that I actually have the manual for (SDI C4, Filser
ATR-500) both ask for fuses that are rated well above actual current drain.

Has anybody got experience with the Tru-Trak ADI that they can share?
Would it be any better in a glider than their T&S, bearing in mind that
its twice the price?


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

[bumper]

I couldn't find the current draw of the TruTrak on line either, however I
remember when installing it that it draws just under .120 amps (120
milliamps). I have mine switched so it's only on when needed.

bumper
"Ramy" > wrote in message
ps.com...
> On May 2, 11:03 pm, wrote:
>> On May 2, 5:52 am, wrote:
>>
>> > for my money, if youve got an experimental glider, go for the Dynon
>> > 10A flight display. the power draw is low and you get a lot more info
>> > than just an AI.
>>
>> The spec at Dynon says 8 watts, which translates to 670 mA, which
>> doesn't sound low to me, at least for a glider. Or is the actual draw
>> less than the spec? Admittedly a lot less than a mechanical gyro, but
>> not something I could run continually for any time. I tried to find
>> the current draw of the TruTrak units, but couldn't. I think they're
>> better, but does anyone know for sure?
>
> I don't have the numbers but the TruTrak drain is very low. I am
> running my TruTrak from the same 7AH battery as my transponder and it
> is good for at least 6 hours. You can also add an on/off switch and
> turn it on only when it may be needed, as it starts instantly.
>
> Ramy
>

[Tuno]

I have no idea if any work has been done in the last year. My last
step was to return the unit to the US dealer, which I was able to do
in person since the shop is a 20 minute drive from where I work, and I
watched him upload the latest and greatest software, but it made no
difference in the end.

[Martin Gregorie[_1_]]

Tuno wrote:
> I have no idea if any work has been done in the last year. My last
> step was to return the unit to the US dealer, which I was able to do
> in person since the shop is a 20 minute drive from where I work, and I
> watched him upload the latest and greatest software, but it made no
> difference in the end.
>
Thanks. Looks like the TruTrak T&S is the way to go. Besides, its a
one-box solution and I could have fun and games working out where to put
the AHRS sensor box in my Libelle.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |