GPS input for Artex ELT 345

[csdominey]

Having trouble finding a GPS input device for my ELT. Would like to use a small, stand alone tracker that you might see on a car, but hard wired and with an appropriate data output.
I have an old Lowrance Airmap which seems to be a good standby device, but not sure it would work, being a 6V system.
My panel is all steam gauges, so not looking to replace it all just yet. Thanks for any help.
Cliff Dominey
Alvin, Tex
N977CD reserved

[Rallylancer122]

Cliff, are you sure it's worth the bother? Even without the gps input the satellites can get a pretty good location. Mine went off in my garage once and when I asked the nice Air Force officer who called me what location they had for the signal she narrowed it down to my street address!

Dennis

[werxcv01]

I am considering the Garmin GPS 18 to provide a GPS signal to an Artex ELT 345 when I upgrade my ELT. It is about $70 new. A few points I have learned: (1) the Artex has to be programmed to accept the NMEA GPS format from the Garmin, (2) the Garmin runs on 5 volts, so you have to step down from the 12 volt aircraft system, and (3) the Garmin has magnets in the base you may want to remove (there is a thread on VAF that discusses this). I got the idea from the ACK E-04 installation manual that discusses an alternative GPS source instead of pulling a signal from the avionics. My -8 has a GRT Sport EFIS but I really don’t want to open up the wiring to get the GPS signal since I am not the builder.