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  #41  
Old 04-16-2019, 01:26 PM
Canadian_JOY Canadian_JOY is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
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Jan - I don't know what the regulations are in South Africa with respect to the legal requirement to carry a TSO'd ELT. Here in Canada and the USA we must carry an approved ELT, which means a TSO'd device. The only way to meet that requirement is to use the "factory" battery packs rather than fabricating our own using replacement cells.

Also, be aware that most "factory" battery packs also contain a non-volatile memory device which records battery age and battery usage. Replacing just the battery cells often will not update the ELTs internal memory, thus a "battery fail" self test message will often result when the ELT detects the battery pack has reached its useful life, with that calculation of useful life being based on the original "factory" battery pack's date of manufacture and usage statistics accumulated over the life of that original battery pack.

While I hate to rain on anybody's parade, 406MHz ELT batteries generally are poor candidates for a money-saving do-it-yourself project.
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  #42  
Old 04-20-2019, 07:56 AM
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Janekom Janekom is offline
 
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Thank you very much for your reply. It makes sense in your part of the world. I will find out what the law states here.
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  #43  
Old 05-08-2019, 09:24 AM
Kellym Kellym is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mel View Post
Yes! Ref: Part 91.207 applies to all U.S. registered civil airplanes.
There are no exceptions for experimental airplanes.
91.207 merely requires an "approved" ELT . "there must be attached to the airplane an approved personal type or an approved automatic type emergency locator transmitter that is in operable condition, except that after June 21, 1995, an emergency locator transmitter that meets the requirements of TSO-C91 may not be used for new installations." It also discusses replacement of batteries.
Not to mention that currently on TSO items such as ADS-B GPS sources the FAA clearly does accept non-TSO units that meet the TSO performance requirements for amateur built aircraft.
91.207 does not state what TSO ELTs must meet, just the one that is no longer allowed. Obviously there are some approved units out there, of the 121.5 variety that are TSO approved using D cell batteries. Somewhat harder to find now, and the FCC supposedly is banning them.
Not giving any advice, just adding information for discussion.
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  #44  
Old 07-09-2019, 07:34 AM
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194WE 194WE is offline
 
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Location: Orion, IL
Posts: 19
Default AMERIKING ELT

We are thinking of replacing our AmeriKing ELT. It still works but occasionally false triggers, even when it has been parked in the hangar for several days. Any thoughts or suggestions

Roger & Mike Nightingale
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  #45  
Old 07-09-2019, 01:23 PM
Canadian_JOY Canadian_JOY is offline
 
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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Well, not to put too fine a point on it, but...
Ditch that Ameri-King as fast as you can! :-)

At the moment my two top recommendations are the Artex 345 and the Kannad 406 Compact. I have lots of experience with the Kannad and they have proven to be a very reliable device. I don't list them as my top choice any more because Orolia decided to jack up the price of the replacement batteries. I used to have a bit of a hate on for Artex... They are now a different company (changed hands a few times) and the 345 seems to be a significant step up from the old ME406 (which should be avoided like the plague).

Kannad also makes what they call the "Ameri-Fit" package which contains wiring adapters to make it easy to replace Ameri-King ELTs. If you're not comfortable with running new wire, this might be the easiest path forward for you.

While the ACK E04 gets lots of air play on this forum because it's inexpensive, spend some time sifting through the posts and you'll find they are not exactly a reliable ELT. Spend a bit more cash and buy a better ELT - in the long run it will save you money in total lifecycle cost.

No matter what 406MHz ELT you buy, REGISTER IT BEFORE YOU INSTALL IT!
Transmissions from unregistered ELTs, particularly during the installation process, are a real waste of resources for our SAR folks. Register the ELT as soon as you get it, then take it to the airplane and work on its installation.

I wish you the best of success in doing this upgrade!
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  #46  
Old 07-10-2019, 08:12 AM
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194WE 194WE is offline
 
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Thanks Mark,

We came up with the Ameri Fit solution too. We just completed our condition inspection and really didn?t want to pull up the seat pans etc to rewire. Glad to get your vote of confidence in Kannad as a dependable choice. We will be at Oshkosh all week, maybe we can find a deal. Thanks again for your input.

Roger
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  #47  
Old 09-26-2019, 09:52 AM
punkin punkin is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 276
Default Artex better than ACK? I doubt it! Support SUCKS!

I know the thread is old, but there's some current posts...

I replaced my RV with another E-AB back in January. Builder had installed an Artex 345. Parked on the ramp in TX flying it home, the ELT alerted. Got a 3am call from USAF (to the seller, of course, I was pleasantly sleeping)

Several months later, got a false alert parked on the ramp in UT. At least in this case it was very windy, but I never had an alert during my really crappy landings the first dozen or so times I flew it.

Another month later, got an alert in dead calm, again, parked on the ramp, this time in Nebraska.

I contacted the MFG, because I knew I needed to replace the battery. My concern was that if I spent $200 on a battery for a unit that wasn't working properly, I was not being smart.

MFG was GREAT (initially). The rep asked for the MFG Date, then told me my unit was under warranty, and they'd ship me a replacement unit. A little paperwork, and about 3 weeks later they shipped. Mid-shipment, the MFG recalled the shipment through FedEx. It was returned to them a few days later.

Initial contact for advice: 7/24/19
Unit shipped 8/14/19
Unit Recalled and received back and Artex 8/22/19

Contacted the customer service manager who had been in contact with me, she said she didn't know what happened, but she'd let me know when they get it, and let me know when they re-ship. 8/24 she said they had it.
Three emails unanswered and two voicemails unanswered between 8/26 and 9/11.

9/11/19 I contact the original rep -- he apologizes, there's a problem, but he'll send me a LOANER 1000...cool. He sends an email to CSM -- she promptly replies that my unit shipped on 8/14/19 and attaches the tracking number.

9/11/19 I kinda lose my mind -- I reply that if she'll actually track that number, she'll see the package was recalled by ARTEX and returned to them on 8/22.

Ghosted until 9/20...get an apology email from her--she misunderstood. She'll overnight a replacement unit THAT DAY.

Today is 9/26, and I've got no unit, and no reply to my emails.

I wouldn't buy an ARTEX if it was the only way to have a legal ELT -- I'd fly without or buy a used unit before I'll ever give them a nickel. Luckily, I've got options, so I'll replace their **** unit and **** service with something else...

Which is how I happened upon this thread in the first place, looking for alternatives.
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  #48  
Old 09-26-2019, 12:41 PM
Canadian_JOY Canadian_JOY is offline
 
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Scott - I'm sorry to hear you've had a bad experience with Artex, but I'm glad you have shared it here. Information is power!

I initially got a hate on for Artex because their customer service was reprehensible, almost beyong belief. Being hung up on by their VP of marketing was the final nail in the coffin, I yanked the Artex ELT and installed a Kannad. Have never had a moment's trouble with either of the Kannads I've installed in my own aircraft nor the 30+ that I've installed in others or helped other owners with.

But the Kannad battery is expensive and they limit battery replacement to their approved battery replacement centers - not a good business move in my opinion. Sure it's good for their business in the near term but very bad in the long term as it will drive customers like me to other brands.

With that having been said, twice now at Oshkosh I have chatted with their VP of Global Sales for Aviation, Jeffery V. Geraci. At both meetings he told me that if I ever needed help with an Artex product or know of others needing help, that he could be contacted directly. In the spirit of those conversations I will provide here his contact information in hopes he will help you resolve your issue. (PLEASE PROVIDE AN UPDATE HERE IF YOU DO!)
Jeffery V. Geraci
Vice President of Global Sales - Aviation
ACR Electronics Ltd.
5757 Ravenswood Road
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312 USA
T: 954-862-2120
M: 954-612-9592
jeff.geraci@acrartex.com

I'm really hoping your ELT issue is resolved quickly and easily!
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  #49  
Old 09-27-2019, 08:42 AM
punkin punkin is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Northern Colorado
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Default Got some movement yesterday...

Ironically,

Jeff was the first contact I had. He replied while at OSH, and said he'd get the message to customer service and they'd get on it after OSH. He's the one that actually surprised me with the news that it was under warranty.

Most of the rest of the experience is as you mention in the first part of your description...

I left a polite but direct message with Stephanie Mason ("customer service mangager" yesterday, got no response. Got a little mad and decided to initiate a BBB complaint -- even though the BBB has no teeth or power, it irritated me to see an A+ rating and "zero complaints" even though there is a 1 star review there and an experience quite similar to mine.

I got no phone call (never have) returned from Stephanie, but she magically initiated a tracking number to ship me overnight the package that she told me last Friday was being overnighted.

We'll see. Last time the package got literally to the DC within 30 miles of my house before they recalled it...this one looks like it's actually on a truck and headed my way.

My concerns are now -- this is what it has taken to get a LOANER unit because they can't replace MY unit right now. I hope I don't have to do another 2 month dance to get the actual replacement when the time comes!

I'm a super patient and understanding business guy -- but two basic expectations of a customer are 1.) Communicate 2.) Do what you say you're going to do and maybe 3.) If there is a problem with #2 along the way, refer back to #1 . :-)
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  #50  
Old 09-27-2019, 01:34 PM
Canadian_JOY Canadian_JOY is offline
 
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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Glad to hear you might be getting some traction on this. Seems strange they would loan you a device rather than say "would you accept a overhauled/loaner unit as a warranty exchange for your unit?" This sounds like a lot of back-and-forth of shipping etc, making for an expensive transaction - expensive for all parties.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
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