Rico audio variometer

At 00:05 11 March 2009, wrote:
With my new glider, I got a box of extra equipment. Included was a
never-used Rico audio vario, still in the box, but without
documentation. It checks out good. But does anyone have any info on these
varios?

Specifically:

What size capacity bottle should be used with this?

What are the functions of the large and small dials? Trim?

What is the performance of this Rico? My glider has a nice Scheumann
CVAaveraging mechanical vario, but no audio. Is the Rico worth
installing?


From the brochure I have, you just put it in line between your TE probe
and your mechanical variometer. You could put it between the bottle and
the vario, as it is just a flow through device. Must be gain adjusted for
about the standard pint.

The two concentric knobs are for setting the on points for the up and down
tones. If you want no down town, crank the larger knob to the
counterclockwise stop. I would set the up tone so it is just quiet when
you are sitting on the ground. An occasional chirp is OK.

As for the response, that is D screw (I think) in between the deadband and
volume knobs. According to the brochure, it is adjustable from .75 seconds
to 3 seconds response rate. I would set it for as fast as it will respond.
Counterclockwise speeds it up.

Very well worth installing. I love the tone for up and prefer to not have
a down tone. But the RICO down tone is not bad. Install it and enjoy! If
you don't like it, let me know, as I might have a use for it in one of our
club ships!

Steve Leonard
Another source of info on old equipment