Ace Sniffler?

[ptlpc]

Anyone heard of or used an ACE Sniffler? I just got one and have a few questions.

[raschow]

Used them for many years, mainly for XC, but also in my old Paragon for TD contests and the LSF hour and 2hour tasks. Still have 2 in working order (49MHz), but the dipole antenna doesn't work worth a darn in carbon structure wings! (so i got a Picolario). Good Lift!

[ptlpc]

Rachhow, I just picked one up and was wondering where I put the tube? Mine is in a plastic case and a short tube is coming out of it. Can the whole thing be inside the fuse or do I have to mount this in any special way? Also, mine looks like it runs on 9 volt batteries in both the tx and rx. Is this right? It also has the on off switch on the top and two earphone jacks on the front (looks like one used to be the volume but now it's replaced with another jack.) The jacks are smaller than a typical headphone 1/8" jack. I saw in another post that the antennas should be about 60" each for 49Mhz. Not sure mine works yet. Any suggestions appreciated.

[raschow]

The stock unit does not have an external tube, just a thru-case metal fitting with a very small orifice. Inside the case, there is a short piece of silicon tubing connecting the fitting to the thermister flow sensor. Some folks added an external tube/nipple to connect the sniffler to a homemade total energy compensation (TEC) (or TEK in German!) probe, a few of these were even successful! I never tried this, preferring to let the sniffler tell me if my flying was sloppy (when it was so high and/or far away I couldn't see it very well) which a TEC setup would have masked. The sniffler should be installed (wrapped in foam ok, don't block orifice!) inside the fuse in a "quiet" area with regard to airflow (one of my planes gave me fits until I taped a leaky canopy joint, which caused ram air that was interpreted as continuous massive sink!). Yes, both tx & rx use 9v bats. The 49MHz tx dipole elements are 29" each, the 27MHz units would be about twice that. Your prev owner may have mod. the rx to let 2 people listen in? Replaced on-off/vol knob with a pot/fixed resistor? I replaced the small jack (and reamed hole in metal case) to use more common 1/8" plug size compatible w/ most earphones, also to allow hook-up to small amplifier/speaker unit so all mbrs of XC team could hear what was happening - saved a lot of talking and easier to hear over the wind noise in the chase car!
Note that there is a trimmer cap. in the tx (under the taped over hole in the case) for adjusting the base audio tone. If it's way off (either way) you won't hear nuthin'! The tape over the hole and around the case seam needs to be in good condition/carefully applied for proper vario operation, likewise sealant around power/antenna plug/case joint (air needs to go in/out the case via the orifice/flow sensor path only!). The rx may need tweaking (yellow, white, black, trim cans and antenna coils on PCB) to optimize tune/max range w/ tx. If you're not familiar with such, I can give you the procedure I used to use, but typing is not my favorite activity, so will quit for now! Happy fiddling & Good Lift!

[ptlpc]

rachow, much thanks!
Yes, mine has a thru case rubber tube. that extends an inch or two.
I would love to have the procedure when you get a chance. I will replace the ear jack as you did. I grew up in Fairfax and went to Woodson. Where do you fly in Vienna?
Perry

[raschow]

Sounds like your original orifice fitting is gone - don't know how this may affect sensitivity/functionality. The Sniffler should easily detect 2-3 ft/sec (lifting it up with your hand off the bench). Have you been able to verify it works?
No soaring flying sites in Vienna other than HL/zip start in schoolyards when not used for athletics (seldom). Used to fly at Baron Cameron Park (Reston), now covered with athletic fields & middle school. Likewise Manassass Battlefield until old Picnic Area closed - new rec area opened this year, may be able to fly there again. Currently fly at Horsefeathers Aerodrome (Warrenton, VA) and CASA sites in MD.
Good Lift!