Stratomaster Smart Singles Digital Instruments.

[Mitch]

Hi Gents,

If you get a set and they are good but your middle aged and your eyesights failing, get the 3.5", the 503 EMS 2.25" in an open frame gyro can be hard to read. You'll get great service from Bernard pretty much full engine and data info and a weight saving on traditional instruments.

My gyro has a little gel cell battery in the instrument pod, charged of the rotax reg/rect, excellent.

Mitch.

[rotor]

Mitch, how water tight are they ... I usually cover the beast overnight on weekends away but it's pretty hard to keep that wet air out ...

They certainly put a good range out ... and they look good too .....

[Mitch]

Rotor,
Sorry Mate, been away a while. I always put a plastic shopping bag on instrument pod overnight if left out. But had plenty of moisture on instruments during the early morning set up for flights. My instruments copped a beating in my accident. Battery inside pod probably doiung the most damage. EMS Unit may still work, time will tell.
Cheers,
Mitch.

[rotor]

Not a problem Mitch .... have followed your threads on the ASRA forums, and see you've been galavanting around the world and have finally succumbed to the whip again - BTW congratulations :drunk:

Stratomaster certainly have a complete and comprehensive selection. Here's a pick of a panel that was in an older Jodel D9 - it must be worth more than the aeroplane is ... I don't know how comfortable I'd feel without some sort of redundency in the case of power failure though!

[Mitch]

Cheers Rotor,

Redundancy is an issue. I lost instruments on an early solo flight. Very disconcerting. Landed straight ahead with extra airspeed (open frame provides other sensors). Airspeed is the important one, especially for low time pilots like myself.

You doing a great job with this site Rotor.

Mitch.

[rotor]

Thanks Mitch,

I guess even mechanical instruments can let you down ... had much the same experience after buying the last gyro. Second flight and same thing - no ASI. Went around a couple of times to gudge things and then landed. Hose had come off!! I agree, there's nothing like the wind in your face to judge your airspeed.


Hows that house of yours comming along? Looked real good a while back there - have you got any more done?


Cheers Geoff

[Mitch]

"Wind in your face" ..Man how I miss that.
Rebuild's finally underway. :chainsaw: :no: :lol:
Plodding along with the house too, actually picking out the Heat Pump on Monday so I can lay the plumbing conduit in this final wall I'm on. Still plan to have it done by Christmas... Hows it go Geoff..The best laid plans. Glad you are enjoying the flying.
Cheers.
Mitch.

[BeefBear]

Mitch, what sort of current draw would these units draw? Could a solar panel provide more than adequate current to operate them?

Ted :question2:

[Mitch]

Hey Ted,

Guess that would depend on what kinda 'spark' you could get out of your solar panel unit. Dont quote me Ted but I think the EMS 503 and ASX-1 units could get by on a lot less power, than the 3 volt gel cell battery ( about the size of a cigarette pack), which I enclosed in the instrument pod (wrapped in bubble plastic) and charged directly off the standard rotax rect/regulator. Closed system pretty much maintanence free apart from timely inspections of good contact points ect. Strap on one of the plastic tube type airspeed indicators, there's your redundancy.

Bernard from Asia Pacific Light Flying ?? is tops and can talk, tech talk.

Mitch.

[BeefBear]

Thanks Mitch. Hope Bernard remembers that he's likely at times to be talking to non tech guys like me from time to time so it has to be simple but on the money.

Ted

[Mitch]

Ted,

I had no clue when it comes to this stuff. I was told it was doable and sure enough with a little advice from Allan W, and Bernard it all came together.

Cheers,

Mitch

[GyRoss]

Hi Guys
I have used a Stratomaster Single on my Rotax 503 machine for 140 hours.
My initial set up ran the Stratomaster from a small pack of 6 AA dry cell batteries. These batteries need to be changed after approx 30 hours.

RossB