Chad Lemmen wrote:
I'm going to buy a new R.C. Allen electric horizon gyro to replace the
co-pilot's vacuum gyro. I'm trying to decide if I want to get internal
lighting or not. ipped out right away or do I wait
up to three weeks for an un-lit unit?
snip

Chad,

I avoid instruments with internal lighting, as it is easier (and less
expensive) to light them with indcandescent or electroluminescent light
"rings" that can be placed on the face the instrument before it's
installed. Lighting instruments in this manner produces a far more
consistent light, both in terms of color temperature and intensity.

In the case of EL lighting, you avoid the need to change bulbs. The
inverter may fail, leaving you without lights on the affected
instrument(s), but that's why you don't put 12 instruments on one
inverter. And, when it does fail, it's a hell of a lot less expensive
to replace the inverter vs. remove 6+ instruments and replace the light
rings.

The Gyro House has a internally lit unit p/n RCA26BK-9 in stock and
will set it to a 8 degree panel tilt for me, but they said that will
void the 1 year factory warranty, but they will then warranty it for
me for 1 year.
snip

Unless you know for sure that the gyro has been on the shelf for less
than a month, I personally wouldn't touch it.

Gyros that sit for a surpringly short time go bad, and when they do, the
manufacturer won't ship you a new one -- they'll either overhaul that
one (with a 1+ week turnaround) or offer to send you a remanufactured
(overhauled) unit. Oh, and they won't pay for the labor to R&R it,
either. You will have paid for a new gyro and received a overhauled unit.

My suggestion - custom order a non-illuminated unit and (if your panel
lighting situation demands it) install some ring lighting. I think
you'll like the result.

-Doug

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Doug Vetter, CFIMEIA

http://www.dvcfi.com
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