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#1
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Approach Timer Frustration
Over the years I have been using various digital timers, but so far I
have not been satisfied with any of them. The LCD displays make them difficult to read when viewing at different angles. The right seat pilot (or CFII) cannot see the digits. Lack of illumination in most units is another big problem for night use. Size is another issue. Most of the timers appear to be way too bulky for their function. For example, the ASA timer is larger than any instrument in the cockpit. If you install it on your yoke clip, it would cover up half of the approach chart. For some reason, the manufacturers seem to be obsessed with presenting large digit displays. That may be good for home or outdoor use, but there is really no need for the digits to be 10 times larger than the font size on the approach charts. For a long time I have been looking for a very small timer (1" x 1") with an LED display (not LCD) that could be glued to the yoke clip. With LED displays, battery life could be a problem, but one could easily solve that by having an on/off switch (most timers seem to run continuously regardless of use). Any ideas where I may find such a device? |
#2
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In article , Andrew
Sarangan wrote: For a long time I have been looking for a very small timer (1" x 1") with an LED display (not LCD) that could be glued to the yoke clip. Wait until you get older, then tell me you don't need big numbers. |
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#4
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"Jim" wrote in message ... It seems to me that West Bend Co. makes most of the timers I've seen. Maybe they have something smaller. Of course, they also make some of the most inaccurate timers as well. Some here have noticed that they can run almost 100% off when the batteries start to go. |
#5
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I used a West Bend kitchen timer for the tank timer on Voyager. I bought Dick's
unit and my unit at the same time in 1984. Mine has never been turned off and is still on the panel of the 182, ticking away. Jim "Jim" shared these priceless pearls of wisdom: -It seems to me that West Bend Co. makes most of the timers I've seen. Maybe -they have something smaller. Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup) VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor http://www.rst-engr.com |
#6
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Got the Radio Shack count up/down timer which can be set easily. It is big
though (2" or so on a side). I connected an external AAA battery and put in a red LED across the speaker. I can now see when the timer expires with the flashing LED since I doubt I could hear the speaker go off. Here's the link for the timer. http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...gory%5Fname=CT LG%5F010%5F002%5F002%5F000&product%5Fid=63%2D878 "Jim" wrote in message ... It seems to me that West Bend Co. makes most of the timers I've seen. Maybe they have something smaller. -- Jim Burns III Remove "nospam" to reply |
#7
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"S Narayan" wrote in message ... Got the Radio Shack count up/down timer which can be set easily. It is big though (2" or so on a side). I connected an external AAA battery and put in a red LED across the speaker. I can now see when the timer expires with the flashing LED since I doubt I could hear the speaker go off. Can you provide a schematic? Please. |
#8
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"Casey Wilson" wrote in message ... "S Narayan" wrote in message ... Got the Radio Shack count up/down timer which can be set easily. It is big though (2" or so on a side). I connected an external AAA battery and put in a red LED across the speaker. I can now see when the timer expires with the flashing LED since I doubt I could hear the speaker go off. Can you provide a schematic? Please. I don't have the timer with me now, but IIRC, I experimented by putting several types of LEDs across the speaker inside, and it worked. In fact, the speaker works while the LED flashes. I didn't care if the speaker died, so I used the largest LED I had. I believe, there is some some kind of a charge-pump type circuit which steps up the voltage to tens of volts to drive the piezo type speaker. The somewhat high voltage won't hurt the LED, since the speaker driver cannot provide much current. The whole timer used to run off a 1.5V button cell. The standby current drain is around 5uA and putting an external AAA battery will keep it going as long as the battery manages to stay alive which may be a several years. The self discharge may be higher than what the timer needs! |
#9
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"S Narayan" wrote in message ... I don't have the timer with me now, but IIRC, I experimented by putting several types of LEDs across the speaker inside, and it worked. In fact, the speaker works while the LED flashes. I didn't care if the speaker died, so I used the largest LED I had. I believe, there is some some kind of a charge-pump type circuit which steps up the voltage to tens of volts to drive the piezo type speaker. The somewhat high voltage won't hurt the LED, since the speaker driver cannot provide much current. The whole timer used to run off a 1.5V button cell. The standby current drain is around 5uA and putting an external AAA battery will keep it going as long as the battery manages to stay alive which may be a several years. The self discharge may be higher than what the timer needs! Okay, now I've got it. I was confused over what you did with the battery. Now I see all you did was supplement the main unit battery -- it had nothing directly to do with the LED which simply parallels the pizeo transducer. Thanks. |
#10
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For a long time I have been looking for a very small timer (1" x 1")
with an LED display (not LCD) that could be glued to the yoke clip. With LED displays, battery life I have a 3 function clock made by Westbend. It is fastened by velcro to the left hand panel in front of the door. C172. I time my XC legs and my approaches. Hank N1441P |
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