Ultra Artificial Horizon

[Lohengrin Zapiain]

Has anybody ever had any issues with the Ultra I artificial horizon?

 

Mine doesn't seem to go all the way on one side (AKA I can not get it right when adjusting with my carpenters bubble level)

 

Thanks

[Jerry Holway]

Lohengrin-

 

There are several adjustments that can be made to the Ultra 1 horizon, including a gross zeroing one. The small pots are on the outer circuit board on the left (port) side of the sled. Unfortunately, to get to the adjustment pots, you must get the cover off, and that takes a bit of time and effort.

 

When you do get the cover off, there are several other pots to adjust as well - in particular the rate and range pots. One adjusts the damping of the display (how fast or slow and therefore reactive to acceleration), the other adjusts how many degrees off level you are for a full scale indication. The factory presets, were, IMHO, set too fast for sensitivity (not enough damping), and the full scale indication was set for too many degrees.

 

Both adjustments are a matter of taste and/or operating skill - Larry McConkey used to (may still) set his damping to zero - he wasn't worried about level, and he used the artificial horizon more as an lateral accelerometer to keep him on a straight line...

 

The specific pots, i.e., which does what, are I think on Tiffen's website.. (I did not check and don't have the file on this computer, sorry). Contact me off-forum if you can't find it.

 

Jerry