Ace Thermic Sniffler

[ozmo01]

I saw one on eba^and ....I won it :D :p :)
80 bucks shipped. It is supposed to be NIB. Should be a ton o fun to play with. I know there is newer lighter variometers out there but not for less than double what I spent.

[scaflock]

Good score Ozmo! I was wondering who snagged it out from under me! Looks like I'll have to spend the bucks for an EagleTree unit now. Oh well...

Jeff

[vintagesailplnr]

Good score Ozmo! I was wondering who snagged it out from under me! Looks like I'll have to spend the bucks for an EagleTree unit now. Oh well...

Jeff

I have an ACE Thermal Sniffler unit that has been used by me for several years, I just bought an Eagle Tree unit for $400++.......

Same Price ($80) as the other one shipped in Cont US of A

Jim aka vintagsailplaner

[scaflock]

Shhhhh! I actually want the expanded abilities of the Eagle Tree system. This is going to go into a cross country plane and I'm going to want all the info from the sailplane that I can get! ;)

Jeff

[ozmo01]

Yup,
I have been drooling on the Eagle Tree system also, but this looked like some good old school stuff for the BB xl I'm building. If I can still fly a glider half way decent this year I hope to go for a Bubble Dancer next winter. I have read up on 'em and they are quite a build. I like building though. :D

[IBWALT]

OZ, for the Ace to work really well you need adjust pot that sets the null or no tone on the sniffler. On the back of the case there is a round sticker. Peel this sticker back and you will see a slotted plastic screw. adjust this pot until there is no tone. If this is not done information from the sniffler could be inaccurate. In other words it could be telling you it is climbing or sinking when it is sitting flat on the bench without this adjustment. Once your done reseal the adjustment hole with a piece of tape.

Walt

[RBMartin]

Was'nt thier a way to also attach a tube to compensate for speed? I do not remember if this was very effective or not.

I still have an old ACE sniffer that is virtually new in box. Was thinking to modify it and use it when I get around to doing Xcountry. Trying to figure out if it is worth it, or I just should get the 80 or so for it and buy a new system.

Bruce M

[georgeg]

Was'nt thier a way to also attach a tube to compensate for speed? I do not remember if this was very effective or not.

Bruce M

Yes. You made a total energy probe by closing the end of a small diameter tube and drilling two hole 45 degrees off centerline of the tube. The probe was mounted vertically on the fuse with the two holes facing to the rear. The tube was connected to the Sniffler by a length of flexible tubing. I don't recall what the tubing sizes were nor the hole sizes but this was the system that I remember reading about. I don't know how effective it was but some guys apparently used it.

[ozmo01]

Thanks IBwalt,
I have two good friends that are total electronic whizes so a I will get it tuned up first. I hope it helps me learn to see what the glider is doing.
I don't give a rat's patootie about a competitve edge, it should be at least a couple of years before I get even close. I hope to sneak over to St L. for some TD fun this summer though! :D

[jtlsf5]

Was'nt thier a way to also attach a tube to compensate for speed? I do not remember if this was very effective or not.

I still have an old ACE sniffer that is virtually new in box. Was thinking to modify it and use it when I get around to doing Xcountry. Trying to figure out if it is worth it, or I just should get the 80 or so for it and buy a new system.

Bruce M


You can get a TE probe, tubing and fuse fitting from Dean Gradwell, who runs the Montague XC event. He has been/is the US dealer for the SkyMelody vario, and stocks these as replacement parts. The electronic bits still have to be serviced overseas, but not the physical hookup stuff. If you happen to be going to the Nats, Dean will be there, and likely have his SkyMelody stuff with him. Otherwise contact him at XCsoaring.com.

On the Ace Sniffler side, you need to get a piece of fuel line tubing and silicone it to the Sniffler sensor fitting so the inlet hole is clear and the tubing sealed completely to the fitting. Way back when I had one of these, I used a 2" piece of tubing, then a piece of harder tubing similar, but larger than thick CA capillary for the connection to the TE probe. It is critical that the case that the Sniffler is in is completely sealed. Replace the tape that holds the two case halves together, along with the tape over tuning hole that Walt mentioned. Any air leakage at the case will defeat your efforts to get this to read total energy.

George is correct, this is how you could make a TE probe. Take a piece of 1/8" brass tube and seal the end with some solder. The about 1/4" below drill two of the smallest possible holes at 45 degrees that you can. The smaller the better, and the more "stab-thermal" resistant it will be. When mounted the holes go to the rear. Another thing to consider is to keep the probe openings about 4 inches or a bit more away from the fuse, which keeps it out of the slipstream around the fuse. I may even have one of these still laying around somewhere, I'll take a look tomorrow.

JT

[tonyestep]

"I hope to sneak over to St L. for some TD fun this summer..."
===============
Come on over, Ozmo. We'd love to have you. In fact, we welcome any out-of-towner to any of our club events. There are two monthly, one HL and one TD. Usual attendance is around a dozen flyers, several of whom are quite hard to beat.

Our club website is at:
http://www.mvsaclub.com/mvsa/_______Welcome.html
and the schedule of events is at:
http://www.mvsaclub.com/mvsa/Calendar.html

And of course there's the Gateway Open, June 21-22, an OVSS contest that will have 30+ entries including some of the country's top flyers.

I realize that this has nothing to do with Ace Snifflers, but we do have five or six members who have experience with varios and may be able to make some suggestions about the TEK.

[ozmo01]

tonyestep,
thanks for the websites, saved 'em to favorites. :cool:
I should be able to slide that way a couple times this season, I best get to the dungeon and build that Big bird XL!
The Ace variometer arrived today it looks brand new. My High start Rubber is on the way...well 1/2 of it is back orderd but I will still be able to practice.

[ToniGe23]

Have you guys concidered one of these http://www.wstech.de/english/index_e.htm a Wstech Vario
I don't know if there is a US dealer but they can be purchased in the UK also and I believe they are in stock.
http://www.hyperflight.co.uk/products.asp?code=CSV1

I have just purchased one and will report back after testing :D

[ozmo01]

ToniGe23
Let us know what you think of that one, I was eyeballing it as well.

[Thermicdude]

Toni - the wstech vario works beautifully.... I've had one for a while now and am very happy with it :)

[tonyestep]

For a commentary on the WSTech vario, see:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8036272&postcount=18

[ToniGe23]

:D I recieved my Wstech Vario today it looks good and the instruction manual comprehensive. I did not buy the TE probe do you think it needs it or would it perform just as well inside the fuselage.
Looking at the picture is it just an alloy tube with some silicon tubing :confused:

Tony

[Kenny Sharp]

:D I recieved my Wstech Vario today it looks good and the instruction manual comprehensive. I did not buy the TE probe do you think it needs it or would it perform just as well inside the fuselage.
Looking at the picture is it just an alloy tube with some silicon tubing :confused:

Tony

From what I understand, as long as the fuse is sealed, and no air can perturb the preasure inside, then it is ok.

[arukum17]

ozmo you are very lucky - she looks nice. boxed for 80 bucks is a deal

just remember to install the TX antenna in a dipole orientation to maximize transmission. Have fun!

[ozmo01]

Thanks,
I think I will build bare wires into each wing and save the originals.
This way I can use it in other gliders. I know you can just tape them onto the bottom but I think I'll go internal for looks. :)

[ToniGe23]

Hope you wsTech guys can help, the radio handset works perfectly with dry cell batterys so I purchased 4 1000NiMh rechargables placed then in put the hand set onto the dock to charge and the RED light stays on :confused: in the instructions it should go to Green then flash Green when charges.

I am trying to find the problem I put a meter across the terminals of the charger and it's reading 18 volts which looks wrong to me can one of you guys try yours please. :o

Tony

[arukum17]

OZ, for the Ace to work really well you need adjust pot that sets the null or no tone on the sniffler. On the back of the case there is a round sticker. Peel this sticker back and you will see a slotted plastic screw. adjust this pot until there is no tone. If this is not done information from the sniffler could be inaccurate. In other words it could be telling you it is climbing or sinking when it is sitting flat on the bench without this adjustment. Once your done reseal the adjustment hole with a piece of tape.

Walt

Thanks for the tip which I tried and have dramatically improved the functionality of my sniffler... earlier it would buzz even when stationary and give a high tone when climbing or low tone when sinking...

Now I adjusted the pot to give null tone

However....

It only gives me a tone when I am climbing (raise my hand with the sniffler in it)....when I lower my hand or don't move there is no tone.... how can I get the sink tone?

I can also get to give a sort of clinking low tone when stationary; high squeel when climbing and no tone when sinking. This mean the mechanics of the system are working OK... just the tone is an issue- I can't get it to give no tone when stationary and also a low tone when sinking. Any suggestions?