---------------------------------------------------------- AeroElectric-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 12/15/09: 14 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 05:49 AM - Re: LOOKING FOR RIGHT ANGLE BNC CONNECTOR (Geoff Heap) 2. 06:11 AM - Re: Re: Vertical Power? (Gilles Thesee) 3. 07:03 AM - Re: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed. (Robert Reed) 4. 07:13 AM - xm weather connector (jtortho@aol.com) 5. 07:24 AM - Re: LOOKING FOR RIGHT ANGLE BNC CONNECTOR (user9253) 6. 07:56 AM - Re: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed. (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 7. 08:05 AM - Re: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed. (David Nelson) 8. 08:34 AM - Re: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed. (user9253) 9. 09:29 AM - Z-19 (Jay Hyde) 10. 10:24 AM - Re: Z-19 (Allen Fulmer) 11. 10:57 AM - Re: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed. (ray) 12. 05:42 PM - Re: Z-19 (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 13. 06:10 PM - Re: Re: Power Opti-Miser (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 14. 10:28 PM - Re: Battery Equalizers (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 05:49:22 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: LOOKING FOR RIGHT ANGLE BNC CONNECTOR From: "Geoff Heap" Sorry. I wasn't complaining about the hiss. I was complaining that, that was all i got. I live under Philadelphia approach. Commercial craft at a couple thousand feet most of the day. I thought I would be picking up some of that. I'll borrow a hand held and test it with that on Saturday. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=277599#277599 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:11:14 AM PST US From: Gilles Thesee Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Vertical Power? Matt Dralle a crit : > > Here is a link to my builder's log, specifically regarding the avionics installation. Lots of pictures and dialog describing the system. Let me know if you have any questions. > > http://www.mattsrv8.com/users/category.php?user=MattsRV8&project=638&category=2971 > > Matt, Thanks. Best regards, -- Gilles http://contrails.free.fr ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:03:31 AM PST US From: Robert Reed Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed. If the laser were ground mounted the only thing required on the plane might be a couple of identifiable stripes of paint on the underside of the aircr aft.- It would not require a high powered laser and shouldn't pose any da nger to the pilot since the directionality of the beam would be vertical an d not directed at the pilot.=0A=0AIf the laser were mounted inside the plan e it-wouldn't require more than a dime sized opening that could be covere d with glass.- The laser beam would be setup to oscillate back and forth with a ground based sensor to detect the beam as the plane crossed the dete ction points.- The size of current low power lasers are so small that the re should be no problem with either weight or drag.- =0A=0ABob=0A=0A=0A =0A________________________________=0AFrom: Sam Hoskins =0ATo: aeroelectric-list =0ASent: Mon, December 14, 2009 8:01:49 PM=0ASubject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed.=0A=0ARadar guns were used with the AirVenture Cup racers several years ago and I think they didn't work too well.- The SARL guys are looking for some precise timing.=0A=0AThey currently are usin g sighting rods and triangulation, but it is leaving too much judgment to t he timing person.- I think that would also apply to David's suggestion. =0A=0AThey want to capture a full runway length of time, to have a more rep resentative view of true speed, rather than just a snapshot that a radar gu n might provide.=0A=0AAn aircraft mounted lasar system might to it, but how .where would you mount it to many different kinds of aircraft, and in such a way that it would not create drag?=0A=0AThese are the problems the SARL g uys are trying to work around.=0A=0AThanks for the suggestions.=0A=0ASam=0A =0A=0AOn Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 6:16 PM, Robert D. Taylor wrote:=0A=0AWould a radar gun, like the cops use, work??=0A>-=0A>=0A>- ---- Original Message ----- =0A>>From: Sam Hoskins =0A>>To: Aerolectric Lis t =0A>>Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 4:01 PM=0A>>Subject: AeroElectric-Li st: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed.=0A>>=0A>>Aeroelectric listers, =0A>>=0A>>We're looking for a bright idea.- Preferably an inexpensive one .=0A>>=0A>>The Sport Air Racing League, http://www.sportairrace.org/ is try ing to develop an accurate and reliable way to time the speed of- an airc raft zooming down a runway, at 50 feet or so.- They are looking for some kind of trigger that will start the clock at one end, and stop it at the fa r end.=0A>>=0A>>We don't really want to erect pylons to fly through to brea k a beam, that would be unwieldy. Some of the guys have looked at airborne systems, such as GPS tracking, but it's not accurate enough.=0A>>=0A>>The S ARL group is having a hard time coming up with something.- Anybody have a ny thoughts how we might accomplish this?=0A>>=0A>>Thanks for any ideas.=0A >>=0A>>Sam Hoskins=0A>>Race 22!=0A>>=0A>>=0A>>=0A>>=0A>>href="http://www. aeroelectric.com">www.aeroelectric.com=0A>>=0A>>href="http://www.builders books.com">www.buildersbooks.com=0A>>href="http://www.homebuilthelp.com"> www.homebuilthelp.com=0A>>href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">ht tp://www.matronics.com/chref="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElec tric-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List=0A>>href= "http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com=0A>>=0A>>=0A>=0A> =0A>_blank">www.aeroelectric.com=0A>=0A>.com" target="_blank">www.builder sbooks.com=0A>="_blank">www.homebuilthelp.com=0A>_blank">http://www.matro nics.com/contribution=0A>ist" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Na vigator?AeroElectric-List=0A>tp://forums.matronics.com=0A>=0A>=0A=0A=0A=0A_ -======================== ============ ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:13:17 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: xm weather connector From: jtortho@aol.com I have the xmweather receover, geneeration 1 this small plastic , crimped on conncetor failed at the entrance to the pl ug. ( No stress relief I might add.) would anybody know a part number so the whole 40 buck antenna does not need To be replaced. http://www.anywheremap.com/detail.aspx?ID=154 The link shows the picture. I paged through mouser but didn't see anythin g ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 07:24:56 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: LOOKING FOR RIGHT ANGLE BNC CONNECTOR From: "user9253" Geoff Heap, Have you tried a portable antenna? Even a 22" wire will work. Just do not transmit. If you can not get the hiss to go away with the squelch adjustment, there is another squelch control on top of the radio accessible through a hole hidden under round aluminum foil. Joe -------- Joe Gores Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=277613#277613 ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 07:56:39 AM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed. On 15 Dec 2009, at 4:46 AM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote: Yes, photo cells looking straight up though a tube of 2 - 4" and length adjusted so that subtended angle of view is sufficiently small that the "shadow" of any part of the aircraft blocks the skylight. There are some self-calibrating level sensor circuits that will adjust for slow variability in sky light levels. E: This would work well - even if the light sensor wasn't in a tube, calibrated correctly, the change from direct sunlight to shadow should be enough to trigger a timing device of some description. You need to constrain the view angle . . .preferably without the use of optics. Long tubes seem the simplest approach. E: I would suggest two or three sensors in a line across the runway. Then use the second or third sensor that is triggered so that you know it's the wing that's causing the shadow both times, and not the wing on the first end, and the spinner on the second (which would skew results). That would be useful . . . depending on how "loose" the rules are for alignment with the runway ceneterline, an array of senors of any number could be used. E: Even a very simple microprocessor would be able to do the timing accurately enough, and could display the result on an LCD screen without too much effort. Sure, the jellybean PIC products offer one set of solutions. E: There is one downside to this, if you're keen on using either end of a runway, I guess you're looking for about 1km between sensors. That's a lot of wire to wind up at the end of each competition! There may be some simple radio interfaces that could be substituted...? Ten years ago, I helped some RC racers craft a timing system that required communication over a many acres of event venue. Off the shelf, 433 MHz transmiter and receiver modules provided links. Controlling atency and jitter in detecting event-edges would be a critical design goal. Assuming 300 mph (440 f/s) over 5000 feet of runway (11.3 seconds) a .1% accuracy in timing would call for control of variability to less than 10 milliseconds. If shorter runs are anticipated, the number gets tighter. +/-1 millisecond would probably be a practical design goal. Sam. Define "accurate". What are the design goals for the reduction of uncertainty? Bob . . . ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 08:05:46 AM PST US From: David Nelson Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed. Hi Sam, Are you wanting something that displays/announces the avg speed in near real-time (ie after the plane passes the end of the runway) or this something that is announced at the end of show? /\/elson On Mon, 14 Dec 2009, Sam Hoskins wrote: > Aeroelectric listers, > > We're looking for a bright idea. Preferably an inexpensive one. > > The Sport Air Racing League, http://www.sportairrace.org/ is trying to > develop an accurate and reliable way to time the speed of an aircraft > zooming down a runway, at 50 feet or so. They are looking for some kind of > trigger that will start the clock at one end, and stop it at the far end. > > We don't really want to erect pylons to fly through to break a beam, that > would be unwieldy. Some of the guys have looked at airborne systems, such as > GPS tracking, but it's not accurate enough. > > The SARL group is having a hard time coming up with something. Anybody have > any thoughts how we might accomplish this? > > Thanks for any ideas. > > Sam Hoskins > Race 22! > ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 08:34:36 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed. From: "user9253" Sam, How about using two clocks and two cameras? Synchronize two very accurate clocks or stop watches and locate them at opposite ends of the runway. Take fast pictures of the plane (including the clock) as it passes starting and ending points. Review the pictures and note the times on the clocks and subtract. Joe -------- Joe Gores Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=277622#277622 ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 09:29:42 AM PST US From: "Jay Hyde" Subject: AeroElectric-List: Z-19 Hello Bob, I am using the Z-19 system for a dual battery, single alternator application. In the system the Engine Battery has OFF/ON/AUTO settings and I see that this battery will switch in when an undervoltage is detected on the Main Power Distribution Bus, when in AUTO mode. If one operates it in AUTO mode all the time how does it ever get charged? The obvious answer seems to be to operate the ENG BAT switch in the ON position all the time, but this makes the AUTO mode redundant. An additional question is, can both batteries be safely charged via one alternator? Thanks Jay ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 10:24:27 AM PST US From: "Allen Fulmer" Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Z-19 Jay, As I understand the drawing and operation of low voltage warning devices, the Engine Battery contactor will OPEN upon low voltage if switch is in Auto. Idea is to save the Engine Battery for powering the electrically dependent engine. Allen Fulmer RV7 wiring Eggenfellner Subaru E6 powered N808AF reserved From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Jay Hyde Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 11:25 AM Subject: AeroElectric-List: Z-19 Hello Bob, I am using the Z-19 system for a dual battery, single alternator application. In the system the Engine Battery has OFF/ON/AUTO settings and I see that this battery will switch in when an undervoltage is detected on the Main Power Distribution Bus, when in AUTO mode. If one operates it in AUTO mode all the time how does it ever get charged? The obvious answer seems to be to operate the ENG BAT switch in the ON position all the time, but this makes the AUTO mode redundant. An additional question is, can both batteries be safely charged via one alternator? Thanks Jay ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 10:57:35 AM PST US From: ray Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed. The NASA system could be turned upside down with the sweeping laser fixed and the retroreflective tape on the underside of the aircraft. Someone suggested the laser from a grocery store scanner as a painting laser. The retroreflective tape is available from SAR equipment suppliers. NASA system link: http://searchandrescue.gsfc.nasa.gov/techdevelopment/l_sar.html Just my thoughts. Raymond Julian Kettle River, MN do not archive Robert Reed wrote: > If the laser were ground mounted the only thing required on the plane > might be a couple of identifiable stripes of paint on the underside of > the aircraft. It would not require a high powered laser and shouldn't > pose any danger to the pilot since the directionality of the beam would > be vertical and not directed at the pilot. > > If the laser were mounted inside the plane it wouldn't require more than > a dime sized opening that could be covered with glass. The laser beam > would be setup to oscillate back and forth with a ground based sensor to > detect the beam as the plane crossed the detection points. The size of > current low power lasers are so small that there should be no problem > with either weight or drag. > > Bob > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > *From:* Sam Hoskins > *To:* aeroelectric-list > *Sent:* Mon, December 14, 2009 8:01:49 PM > *Subject:* Re: AeroElectric-List: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor needed. > > Radar guns were used with the AirVenture Cup racers several years ago > and I think they didn't work too well. The SARL guys are looking for > some precise timing. > > They currently are using sighting rods and triangulation, but it is > leaving too much judgment to the timing person. I think that would also > apply to David's suggestion. > > They want to capture a full runway length of time, to have a more > representative view of true speed, rather than just a snapshot that a > radar gun might provide. > > An aircraft mounted lasar system might to it, but how.where would you > mount it to many different kinds of aircraft, and in such a way that it > would not create drag? > > These are the problems the SARL guys are trying to work around. > > Thanks for the suggestions. > > Sam > > On Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 6:16 PM, Robert D. Taylor > wrote: > > Would a radar gun, like the cops use, work?? > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* Sam Hoskins > *To:* Aerolectric List > *Sent:* Monday, December 14, 2009 4:01 PM > *Subject:* AeroElectric-List: Kind of off topic. Speed sensor > needed. > > Aeroelectric listers, > > We're looking for a bright idea. Preferably an inexpensive one. > > The Sport Air Racing League, http://www.sportairrace.org/ is > trying to develop an accurate and reliable way to time the speed > of an aircraft zooming down a runway, at 50 feet or so. They > are looking for some kind of trigger that will start the clock > at one end, and stop it at the far end. > > We don't really want to erect pylons to fly through to break a > beam, that would be unwieldy. Some of the guys have looked at > airborne systems, such as GPS tracking, but it's not accurate > enough. > > The SARL group is having a hard time coming up with something. > Anybody have any thoughts how we might accomplish this? > > Thanks for any ideas. > > Sam Hoskins > Race 22! > > > * > > href="http://www.aeroelectric.com">www.aeroelectric.com > href="http://www.buildersbooks.com">www.buildersbooks.com > > href="http://www.homebuilthelp.com">www.homebuilthelp.com > > href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/chref="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List > href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com > * > > * > > _blank">www.aeroelectric.com > .com" target="_blank">www.buildersbooks.com > ="_blank">www.homebuilthelp.com > _blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution ist" > target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List > tp://forums.matronics.com * > > > * > AeroElectric wwomebuilthelp.com/" target=_blank rel=nofollow>www.homebuilthelp.com href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution" target=_blank rel=nofollef="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List" target=_blank rel=nofollow>http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List > ======= > > * > > * > > > * ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 05:42:49 PM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Z-19 At 12:21 PM 12/15/2009, you wrote: >Jay, > >As I understand the drawing and operation of low voltage warning >devices, the Engine Battery contactor will OPEN upon low voltage if >switch is in Auto. Idea is to save the Engine Battery for powering >the electrically dependent engine. > >Allen Fulmer >RV7 wiring >Eggenfellner Subaru E6 powered >N808AF reserved > >From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com >[mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Jay Hyde >Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 11:25 AM >To: aeroelectric-list@matronics.com >Subject: AeroElectric-List: Z-19 > >Hello Bob, > >I am using the Z-19 system for a dual battery, single alternator >application. In the system the Engine Battery has OFF/ON/AUTO >settings and I see that this battery will switch in when an >undervoltage is detected on the Main Power Distribution Bus, when in >AUTO mode. If one operates it in AUTO mode all the time how does it >ever get charged? The obvious answer seems to be to operate the ENG >BAT switch in the ON position all the time, but this makes the AUTO >mode redundant. Allen is right. The LVABMM works like this: http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/lvwarn/LVWarn-ABMM.pdf The design goal for such devices is to automatically disconnect the auxiliary battery during such times that the alternator is not producing enough output to maintain the battery. >An additional question is, can both batteries be safely charged via >one alternator? You can charge as many batteries as you like. http://aeroelectric.com/articles/Batteries/Multiple_Battery_Myths_A.pdf Bob . . . //// (o o) ===========o00o=(_)=o00o======== < Go ahead, make my day . . . > < show me where I'm wrong. > ================================ ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 06:10:15 PM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Power Opti-Miser At 11:30 AM 12/14/2009, you wrote: >My house is not connected to the power grid, which makes me both a >power generator and a power consumer. If we look at this issue from >that perspective, things change. >My conclusion is that both sides of this camp might be at least >partially correct. Since residential power meters measure real >watts, the residential consumer isn't penalized for the extra power >the utility has to generate to run bad power factor appliances. >However, the utility has to generate the extra electricity, even >though they aren't getting paid for it (which is already built into >the rate structure). The utility doesn't have to generate any extra watts. It only has to choose wire sizes that carry an artificially high current that doesn't participate in the running of devices with poor p.f. > But if consumers could do something to improve the power factor > of their appliances, it would reduce the amount of electricity > produced, reducing the unfavorable environmental consequences of > making electricity. That would be good for everyone (assuming the > environmental effects of making the correction devices resulted in > a net gain, of course). The "goodness" comes only from the fact that the same work can be done over smaller wires with less heating of the wires. A significant savings when your transmission lines are measured in miles instead of feet and transformers are in 100's of KVAR instead of 2 KVAR. > >I have no opinion as to whether the devices under discussion >actually reduce apparent watts. It may well be that the most recent >appliances include better internal power factor correction. I know >that the last batch of compact fluorescent bulbs I bought seem to >have very good power factor. Yes. And the folks who do switchmode power supplies for computers and other electronics have been prodded by dozens of articles for how p.f. can be improved for over 20 years. See chapter 11 in Volume 2 of the basic electronics document below . . . http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/index.html If your AC power generation devices are pseudo sine wave (finely stepped square wave) then the output power has more harmonic content than the stuff coming out of the wall. This puts a whole new twist on the problem of optimizing power factor. Have you measured the aggregate power factor for household loads on your system? It may well be that the losses are so small that doing anything about them is economically impractical. When talking about small losses, keep in mind that your house wiring is not zero ohms material. Depending on how long the runs are, you may find that copper losses are already significant and only slightly aggravated by the effects of p.f. Lord Kelvin reminded us often that without access to the real numbers, our knowledge is of a meager kind. Your situation cries out for a long term study of aggregate quality for your total household load. A true RMS voltmeter, ammeter and power-factor meter recording to a hard drive over a long period of time would give you a basis for doing more detailed studies followed up by useful changes to your hardware. Bob . . . //// (o o) ===========o00o=(_)=o00o======== < Go ahead, make my day . . . > < show me where I'm wrong. > ================================ ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 10:28:11 PM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Battery Equalizers At 10:12 AM 12/14/2009, you wrote: Thanks Bob, in your response, you indicated a lack of familiarity with battery equalizers and their functioning: "I'd not encountered this style of "equalizer" before . . . A study of it's ratings suggests that the device contains a switchmode power supply designed for charging 12v batteries from a 28v source." Does anyone else on the list have any experience with these units? The advertising and claims suggest they're designed to extend the lives of batteries wired in series by shuttling power between the two batteries (bi-directionally) to ensure they always have the same voltage. Folks use these extensively in electric vehicles and for maintaining long strings of batteries for storing energy derived from solar power in stand-alone systems. Anyone with some experience to share with the list? The term "battery equalizer" is a really broad brush with which to draw a schematic or write a description of how it functions. The folks doing development work on Li-Ion aircraft batteries have already described a host of "electronic enhancements" to make sure that each one of the relatively small bundles of energetic chemistry are not mistreated to destruction . . . or worse yet, catastrophic failure. This is a worry for the electrically enhanced vehicle business too. Equalization COULD be nothing more than precision shunt regulators that prevent voltage in any single cell from rising above some not-to-exceed levels. It COULD be an array of such devices individually commanded from some smart device like a micro-controller. The "equalizer" we were discussing seems to be a single precision power supply designed to simply offset the effects of loading the lower half of a two battery string. In this case, each string has twelve cells divided into two sections . . . equalization philosophy is therefor coarser. The ideal "equalizer" for a pair of six-cell batteries array might be a pair of switch-mode chargers feeding each battery independently . . . each capable of sourcing the highest anticipated load on each battery. I'm not trying to be obtuse but until one identifies and understands exactly how any particular "equalizer" is designed to function, and matches the knowledge with design goals for the system, sharing of experiences may not be all that useful. Exactly how would you like to use two 12v batteries in a 28v system? Bob . . . //// (o o) ===========o00o=(_)=o00o======== < Go ahead, make my day . . . > < show me where I'm wrong. > ================================ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message aeroelectric-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/AeroElectric-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/aeroelectric-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/aeroelectric-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.