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Thread: ELT Recommendations

  1. #1
    Senior Member
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    Default ELT Recommendations

    I have no clue what ELT I should be looking at. What are people using?

  2. #2
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    Artex ELT 345

  3. #3
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    First off...what are you required to have in CA? That may ease your selection process.

    We installed an Artex 406ME with the whip antenna. Same unit today is about 35% more $$$. At the time, the 406's were just coming out - may be more options today. Artex also made an improvement in the mount. They once had a web strap to secure it in its cradle - they now have a metal clamp.

    It came with a 5 year battery. The replacement battery is good for 7 years and I think that came to about $150 or so US$ at the time.

    Batteries for this one are non-rechargeable lithium. Entertainment value as the replacement battery came neatly wrapped in a box proclaiming "do not transport in aircraft"
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  4. #4
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    I got the ACK406 E-04. When I was looking I liked that it could be hooked up to get the GPS position data from my panel for more accurate position. It also had the lowest price replacement battery if you figure the cost/yr. It has a metal band, not the velcro strap.

    When you order it you will need to get one programmed for Canada.
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  5. #5
    Senior Member jrevens's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    ACK E-04 also.
    John Evens
    Arvada, CO
    Kitfox SS7 N27JE
    EAA Lifetime
    Chap. 43 honorary Lifetime

  6. #6

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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    Along these lines....

    I have my plane in for Annual condition inspection with a Rotax specialist just N of San Antonio. They found that my Ameri-King ELT battery was dead. And likely has been since I bought it less than a year ago. Based on the issues w Ameri-King I was ready to pull it and replace w an ACK E-04.

    But the AP proceeded to tell me about how everyone is doing 406 ELT inspections wrong and that they have to be tested with specific equipment from the manufacturer. That means taking it to an avionics shop w that very specialized gear. And he says it is every ELT, every year.

    Having gone through 6 years w a Cirrus and never hearing that, I smell BS. My guess is he is reading more in to regulations than actually exist and that the self Test created by the manufacturers will make the FAA happy. I found a thread on another forum that backs that up. But apparently there are some that are convinced the more invasive and expensive Test is required.

    Based on this discussion my goal was to find the most direct way of getting the plane out of Annual. And that was to find new batteries for the existing AK unit. They were not TSO batteries (I know, just wait), but they will do to get the plane out of the shop.

    And then my plan is to buy and install an ACK unit as quickly as possible.

    So I have two questions....

    Has anyone heard of the need for that extensive annual testing?

    And could anyone share info (pictures) and guidance on your ACK install?

  7. #7
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    Jaguar

    There are two components to the annual testing.

    1) does the hing transmit - easy to do

    2) does the device which detects a G load work.

    I suspect the second is what the person is talking about. I also suspect there is more than one way to test the G switch.
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  8. #8
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    I have the ACK E-04, and have not heard of the more extensive tests you refer to. Per the manufacturer's instructions, I do the easy self-test every 3 months (just push the test button and look for LED flash and one beep). Then every annual I do the more extensive test where you remove the unit and yank it to activate the G-switch and listen for the squeal on the radio to make sure it is transmitting to the satellites. All done without any special equipment.
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

  9. #9
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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    Thanks. The ACK E-04 was one I was looking at.

  10. #10

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    Default Re: ELT Recommendations

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave S View Post
    Jaguar

    There are two components to the annual testing.

    1) does the hing transmit - easy to do

    2) does the device which detects a G load work.

    I suspect the second is what the person is talking about. I also suspect there is more than one way to test the G switch.
    He was speaking of hooking the system up to some external testing system specific to the manufacturer. So much more than a G switch test. As mentioned here, that is simply a push and stop motion.

    In any case he was not prepared to install the new system due to his belief that it requires special equipment and testing. So at this point I just want to get the plane out so I can move forward getting it replaced.

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