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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Manual for new universal LED Fuel Gauge from Belite Electronics

LED Fuel Gauge from Belite Electronics. Dual tank version also available.

Part Numbers:

SINGLE TANK – XXXX

DUAL TANK -- XXXX

See the video explaining it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr_4Roio7sY

At A Glance:

· Lightest Weight
· Smallest Size
·         Best visibility of any fuel gauge
·         LED colors: green, then yellow, then red, and also increases in brightness as fuel level goes down
· Bottom LED flashes brilliant red when out of fuel
·         Single or Dual tank versions
·         Compatible with Capacitive (0-5v) and Resistive Fuel Probe Senders
·         May be calibrated to any individual Fuel Probe Sender
·         Dimmable

Belite’s Improved LED Fuel Gauge provides a LED display which shows the current amount of fuel in your fuel tank. Calibrated from 0% to 100%, it features unusually bright LEDs which are completely readable in direct sunlight. It is available in a single or dual version, for support of one or two fuel tanks. The input compatibility is selectable between traditional float style fuel senders and newer style capacitive fuel senders. It may be calibrated to match the full and empty point of any fuel sender / tank at the push of a button. The unit uses digital electronics to interpret, calibrate and display the fuel tank level. Calibration of the fuel level is done via a single button for each tank.

SPECIFICATIONS

·        Dimensions: 2 3/8” x 2 3/8” x 5/8” (not including connector height). Fits standard 2 ¼” instrument hole. Including connector, complete depth of instrument is 1.0”.
·         Power Supply: Attaches to any DC power supply between 8 and 14 volts. Alternatively, you may use LITHIUM 9V batteries. DO NOT USE ALKALINE 9V batteries. Battery life is approximately 4 – 8 hours using a lithium 9V battery.
·         Power Consumption: less than 30ma for single display; less than 50ma for dual display.
·         Weight: 1.2 ounce / 35 grams (includes electrical connector).
·         Color LED Range: Green (full), Yellow and Red (empty).
·         Probe Compatibility: Use with any capacitive probe (standard 0-5v output); use with any resistive probe (EG: 30 – 240 ohm; will also work with any other ohm range such as 40 – 90 ohm)
·         Slosh Damping: Electronic filtering built into the Belite Fuel Gauge controls minor errant reading due to fuel sloshing.
·         FCC Part 15: Compliant by EXEMPTION, Section 15.103(a)
·         For other directives: THIS EQUIPMENT IS DESIGNED FOR USE IN AIRCRAFT and VEHICLES.
·         Internal Fusing: None, use external fuse <= 1A.
·         Power: use external switching.
·         Power On Self Test: Observe all LEDs illuminated through pattern check and variable brightness check.
·         Dimming Control: 0 – 12V; 0 = full bright; 12V = full dim. Use external 5K potentiometer. Dimming the LEDs substantially reduces power consumption.
·         TSO/PMA: No. For use in non-certified aircraft.
·         Warranty: US: 1 year. Rest of world: 2 year.
·         Temperature Range: -20C – 45C (operating). -40C – 70C (nonoperating).
·         Humidity: Non-condensing.
·         Cabling: Black = ground; Red = 8-14v; Yellow = Dimming (leave unconnected if unused). Remaining wires are for left / right fuel sender input.

INSTALLATION

Install in any 2 ¼” instrument hole using provided screws and lock nuts.

Attach ground and power to black and red wires by cutting off the 9V connector. The supplied 9V battery connector may be used for temporary unit testing, or may be used as a permanent source of power. Use only Lithium 9V batteries. Walmart sells them, as do many other battery retailers. They are usually found in the photo section of the store.

If you have decided to install a dimmer, attach the yellow wire to the middle lug of a 5K potentiometer. The other lugs of the potentiometer must be attached to ground and +12V. (Using +9V for the dimming potentiometer will not provide full dimming.)

INSTALLATION - SELECTING CAPACITIVE OR RESISTIVE FUEL SENDERS

When you turn the fuel gauge on, it will perform a Power On Self Test. If the LEDs light up from bottom to top, your unit is configured for capacitive fuel senders. If the LEDs light up from top to bottom, your unit is configured for resistive fuel senders.

To reverse, attach the switch assembly to the program connector, and depress the switch before you power the unit up. The fuel gauge will sense this condition and permanently reconfigure the gauge form capacitive to resistive, or vice versa. (Each side [left tank / right tank] of the display gauge has an independent switch.)

We recommend ‘playing’ with this capability before you install the fuel gauge in your airplane.

You MUST have the correct configuration set in your fuel gauge (relative to your type of fuel sender) or you will have improper operation.

INSTALLATION - WIRING – CAPACITIVE FUEL SENDERS

The remaining one or two wires are attached to the capacitive fuel senders. (You may verify the right / left wires by touching them briefly to the positive 9V battery post.) After verification of right / left, the gauge may be attached to the fuel senders. Each capacitive fuel sender has an ‘output’ that supplies a voltage indication of the fuel tank level, 0 – 5 volts. This voltage level is interpreted by the LED fuel gauge to show the amount of fuel in your tank. Just connect the fuel sender to the fuel gauge and it will work.

Capacitive Probe Fuel Tank Wiring Diagram. Figure 1.

INSTALLATION - WIRING – RESISTIVE FUEL SENDERS

The remaining one or two wires are attached to the resistive fuel sender. Additionally, you must attach a 330 ohm resistor (included) from +12V (your system power) to the same line.

Resistive probe fuel tank wiring. Figure 2.

INSTALLATION – CALIBRATION

Calibration is easy. Each side of the gauge is calibrated independently. Calibration is performed AFTER you’ve selected fuel sender type (capacitive vs resistive) and after you’ve attached the senders.

You must have the switch assembly attached to the fuel gauge.

When the fuel tank condition is empty, depress the switch for less than one second. The fuel gauge will permanently remember this level as being the empty level.

When the fuel tank condition is full, depress the switch for more than three seconds. The fuel gauge will permanently remember this level as being the full level.

Calibration for each tank is done independently.

The fuel gauge will retain these calibration levels in permanent flash memory storage within the fuel gauge.

After calibration, the switch assembly should be disconnected from the fuel gauge.

TIPS

We strongly recommend ‘playing’ with the unit prior to installation in your aircraft. Sender type should be set and verified. Operation of the LED scale may be verified simply by brushing the input wire against a positive voltage source. You’ll see the LED jump up and then slowly dissipate down. If the unit is configured for capacitive senders, a positive voltage will cause the LED indication to rise. If configured for resistive senders, a positive voltage will cause the LED indication to fall.

It is much easier to resolve issues prior to installing the probes in your aircraft.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Best deal in the world right now for a small airplane kit. Giveaway Multi Function aircraft instrument.

Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!

I want to give you the new aircraft Multi Function Instrument from Belite.

Of course there is a catch! You have to buy something else from Belite, as explained below.

The picture below shows it in the Multi Function Instrument. Click anywhere on it to see the full resolution version on your computer:

Multi Function Instrument for Belite, Free. With a catch.

Here is the 'catch', or 'Terms and Conditions'.

1. The Angle Of Attack is not included, but is an option ($700) to this free instrument. For $700, you get the sensor, the vane, and the separate AOA computer that plugs into the back of this instrument.

2. The unit includes an inclinometer as shown above. You can upgrade to the Turn Coordinator for $150 more.

3. A blank instrument panel is included, ALSO FREE. This blank CNC cut panel has a custom cutout for the MultiFunction instrument and four 2.25" round cutouts. The panel is supplied unpainted. Here is the panel, as typically installed in a plane, with additional instruments:

Multi Function Instrument in Belite metal panel, free*. *Check T&Cs.

Painted Blank Panel, part of free*. offer from Belite (supplied unpainted). *Check T&Cs.

4. You must buy our Belite UltraCub kit to receive the free MultiFunction Instrument. The Belite UltraCub is also specially priced; normally $8500, it is priced at $6995 until May 15, 2013. If you include the value of this instrument, it is about a $550 additional value. So over $9 grand of Belite Stuff for $6.995 grand plus + shipping. (Check with Kathy for your shipping quote).

With a little work, along with an engine, prop, etc..., you can make your kit look like this:

Belite UltraCub with 4 stroke 1/2VW engine.

In other words: you get the Belite UltraCub kit, including the Turtledeck kit, along with a blank panel and this MultiFunction Instrument. All for $6995 + shipping. Best deal in the world right now for a small airplane kit.

5. The Multi Function instrument is available ONLY as configured as shown. It includes the airspeed indicator with the speed range set as shown; the inclinometer; the fuel gauge (compatible with capacitive or resistive senders), and the AGL altimeter. The power switch has three settings: Off, On/dim, On/bright. The power switch has detents which prevent accidental powerdown. The dim and bright refer the LED brightness. Also included are 3 general purpose alarm LEDs. All alarm LEDs are brilliant red when turned on. They may be attached to anything: when grounded, they turn on. In our Burgundy demonstrator, one is attached to the engine oil pressure switch.

6. We ran a similar promotion one year ago which was very successful. This is even better: the airplane has improved, engine options have improved, and the free instrument set is much better. And a free metal panel is included.

7. Like last year, we did not repeat this promotion after the deadline had ended. This offer will terminate no later than May 15, 2013.

8. You have to place a nonrefundable deposit of $2500 to get this offer. You can schedule delivery of your kit for anytime later this year, but not later than Dec. 15, 2013, but the deposit is due on May 15.

9. This offer is also available on Ready To Fly aircraft: Just tell us that you want the free Multifunction Instrument upgrade for your RTF plane when you place your order. Next delivery slot is open for August, 2013. Check our website for pricing and model configurations. Prices on our aircraft range from $15995 up to $40K (or more) and this offer is available on any configuration. You must specify it to receive it.

10. Just because the multi function unit includes an "AGL" altimeter does not preclude you from adding a conventional altimeter, such as our high resolution digital LCD unit. It would install in any of the open 2.25" instrument holes. For example:

Digital LCD altimeter from Belite. $249.

11. This offer may be withdrawn or changed at anytime without notice.

Monday, November 12, 2012

How to attach a Belite instrument dimmer

Belite LED instrument: Turn Coordinator with solid state gyro

Each instrument has a yellow wire which may be attached to a dimming potentiometer, so that you can control how bright the LEDs are.

We've had several tech support inquiries on how to attach that wire. Here's the answer:

A) If you never plan to fly in dim light conditions, just leave the yellow wire unattached. Your unit will always be at full brightness.

B) If your bird has navigation lighting (EG: position lights) you can attach the yellow wire to them. Therefore, if your position lights are turned on, your LED indicators will be fully dimmed.

C) If you desire to have variable control over the dimming intensity, the yellow wire may be attached to a separate potentiometer (not supplied by us) to provide control. You'll need a potentiometer (10K ohm suggested) and perhaps a knob for the potentiometer, and you'll want to mount the potentiometer in your instrument panel. A suitable potentiometer is from Radio Shack, part # 271-1715, and they look like this:

Potentiometer.

The potentiometers have three connections. You'll need to connect the center one to the yellow wire; and one side to ground, and the other side to Switched +12 volts. (From your avionics master switch, for instance.) This allows the potentiometer to 'sweep' all the way from ground up to twelve volts, allowing you to select the proper intensity level of your LEDs. If you have several of our instruments, just connect all the yellow wires together.

Your Belite instrument still requires its own power. You can hook it up to the same +12v source (red wire) and the ground (black wire).

If you don't have access to a Radio Shack, and if you are so inclined, Digi-Key sells bazillions of variable potentiometers. A suitable Digi-Key part # is: 3852A-202-103AL-ND; but the Radio Shack part is a lot less expensive.

Even More Technical info:

The yellow wire going into the Belite instrument is not connected directly to the LEDs. Rather, it is connected to a small microprocessor inside the instrument, which analyzes the voltage level and controls the LEDs by varying the amount of time they are turned on. This happens so quickly that your eye sees it as a dim condition, but its actually a very rapidly flashing light with a varying duty cycle. Many LED lighting systems with variable intensity work this way; for instance; LED brake lights on cars.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Prototype Digital Altimeter from Belite

Digital Altimeter from Belite Aircraft

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Ultra Lightweight Instrument Panel

Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!

I thought you might like to see the back of the instrument panel. I also thought you might like to get some insight as to how the instrument panel is wired up, so let's do it.

The instrument panel in my aircraft is assembled from very lightweight Belite instruments. My instruments provide information which is essential for flight in an inexpensive and easy to read manner. As I was flying earlier tonight, I took another photo of the instruments inflight:

Belite Instrument Panel in flight

Kewl. I like 'em.

The panel is designed to quickly be removed, so I can fly with minimal instrumentation when I want to. (The blank hole on the left main panel is for an EGT/CHT, which will be added. It's the only instrument I need when I pull the main panel.)

Earlier today, I took a picture of the back of the exact same instrument panel, and there definitely is some electronic magic going on in the wiring:

backside of Belite Instrument panel

Some notes:

1. The top right module is a +12V regulator. I use it to regulate the raw voltage from the main system/starter battery. (I use an extremely lightweight lithium polymer 14.4v battery for the starter, which is a little hot to use with the instruments. When fully charged, the lithium polymer battery reaches over 16.0 volts.)

2. A potentiometer is used to control instrument dimming. It's in the lower right corner, immediately below the power regulator. One side is connected to +12V, the other to ground. The wiper (middle) output of the potentiometer connects to all the instruments to provide dimming level input. The dimmer worked really sweetly when I was flying in dusk conditions earlier tonight. More on that in another post.

3. Not shown is an inline fuse, 1A, which is connected to the power regulator input.

4. YES, that is a steam gauge air speed indicator in the lower middle. I don't have one in stock right now, so I used an old fashioned steam gauge.

5. The shrink wrapped modules are either electronic altitude (pressure) sensors or VSI sensors.

6. That's a voltmeter at the top. It's only connected to show regulated voltage (around 12v) but I might add a switch to allow selection between unregulated and regulated voltage. A hole is already drilled for the switch.

7. All the instruments have their power wired from a common avionics power switch (lower right side of panel), along with a common ground. Just switched power, ground, and dimming to each instrument.

I put it all on a scale, and the weight is 1 pound and a fraction of ounce.

Instrument panel, 1 pound 0.4 ounces, including wiring, switches, regulator, and panel.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Belite's Turn Coordinator: "More sensitive and more stable..."

Kathy,

Attached are two snapshots of my instrument panel "upgrade". The close-up shows the turn coordinator and the VSI (with an aux power port for my AdventurePilot 700/Skyradar kneeboard.)

I'm most impressed with the turn coordinator. It's both more sensitive and more stable than the analog instruments.

I've also tried using just the turn coordinator, VSI and the existing airspeed indicator as a "needle-ball-air speed" substitute, and it works very well.

I've also used the combination to fly the traditional two minute turn and I'm quite impressed.

Regards,

Ted Jula, KTAN

N701TJ (Zenair CH-701, Rotax 912ULS)

Here's the photos he included of his installation:

Belite's Turn Coordinator and VSI used in experimental aircraft

Thanks, Ted, for your positive comments! The Turn Coordinator is our best selling instrument, and you've helped explain why.

Our Turn Coordinator is priced at $200 SRP. Compare our product's performance and price to any old fashioned electric unit!

You can buy it from our webstore, or from Aircraft Spruce, or from Wicks.

-- James