The downside is we can't have as much padding in our seats! Ha Ha
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Hi Harlan,
The details & a link to the supplier are posted on “John’s Build” posting #284. You can also buy a kit to do it from Kitfox now.
I’m not sure about the origin of “turtle deck”, but I assume because it’s a covered area, sort of like a turtle shell.
Thanks John
Which elt is the best priced when comparing unit and battery replacement costs? I have been looking as some with good prices but when I search batteries they are 150 to 250.
I thought some used reg d batteries but I'm not finding them?
The D batteries were on some of the 121.5 ETLs, but not on any 406 ones. Hopefully you are looking at getting a new 406 ELT and not a used 121.5.
Anyways, the Artex 345 ELT has a 6 year battery and the ACK-04 has a 5 year battery; they cost about the same on a yearly basis. Do some research on these two 406 ELTs. If I had a choice I would have gotten the Artex 345, but it wasn't available at the time I built my plane. The Artex is easier to install, can use a shielded cable to connect the remote switch (the Artex uses an unshielded phone cable) and only has one battery (the Artex has 3).
I found the little battery on my ACK remote switch dead at the last condition inspection. This meant the remote was totally unable to test or activate the ELT. This battery was supposed to go 10 years, but it only lasted 5. Not a big deal to replace a battery, but it is extra maintenance. The big disappointment was knowing I could not activate the ELT in an emergency.
Since I just purchased the Artex yesterday, I hope I didn't screw up, but I thought it was the ACK that used 3 batteries??
Rick
I also have the ACK-04 with the 3 batteries. My remote switch battery also failed at about 5 years, but I was able to catch it right away. They recommend you so a simple self test every 3 months, which I try to do (you don't have to wait until top of the hour to test). It consists of simply pushing the test button on the remote switch and listening and watching for the LED to flash and a couple of beeps to sound. The number of flashes and beeps is a code that tells you if everything is OK or if there is a fault, such as a dead battery. This test is so easy and simple that I try to do it far more often than 3 months. Another recommendation to those of you installing the ACK-04; install those two small little boxes with the remote batteries in an easily accessible area for obvious reasons. I am very happy with the ACK-04, have had it for 7 years and replaced the big main battery once on schedule.