New Version of Tasman Variometer Firmware Available

On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:54:22 +0200, Bruce wrote:

......

We looked at the B40 vs Tasman recently for our club ships. In the end we
decided on the Tasman because it has no moving parts, and has the built in
averager.

I've flown with a Tasmin once and liked it: the new vario down noise
sounds like an improvement.

The major advantage of the B.40 is its backup 9v battery: I think its
really important that a backup vario can operate with a dead main battery.
The Tasman literature mentions the possibility of using a backup battery
too, but its either well-hidden or absent from the installation and user
manual. I couldn't find a clear reference in the price list either despite
it being quoted as an option.

Do you use backup batteries with your Tasmans?

BTW, I have an SDI C4 that I intend to retain as my main vario.

--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

Hi Martin,

The use of a 9 V battery for backup power for the Tasman is shown in the
installation manual he
http://www.tasmaninstruments.com/doc...allation_b.PDF

I have recently asked the manufacturer to verify as what voltage the audio
stops functioning. That point is a little unclear in the manuals.

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

"Martin Gregorie" wrote in message
news
On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:54:22 +0200, Bruce wrote:

.....

We looked at the B40 vs Tasman recently for our club ships. In the end we
decided on the Tasman because it has no moving parts, and has the built
in
averager.

I've flown with a Tasmin once and liked it: the new vario down noise
sounds like an improvement.

The major advantage of the B.40 is its backup 9v battery: I think its
really important that a backup vario can operate with a dead main battery.
The Tasman literature mentions the possibility of using a backup battery
too, but its either well-hidden or absent from the installation and user
manual. I couldn't find a clear reference in the price list either despite
it being quoted as an option.

Do you use backup batteries with your Tasmans?

BTW, I have an SDI C4 that I intend to retain as my main vario.

--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 14:21:50 +0000, Paul Remde wrote:

Hi Paul,

Here's what I find confusing:

- the PK312 aux. power supply still doesn't appear on the mfr's web site
other than as a block on the installation diagram. No web site, not even
yours, has any details of its internal functions, battery type or price.

- the specs. refer to different 'battery low' alarm points: as the PK312
apparently connects to the vario by the same two wires as the main battery
I'd like to know just how the Vario knows which battery it is being
supplied by.

I very much like the idea of a solid state device without a mechanical
display; I just wish I knew more about the PK312.


Hi Martin,

The use of a 9 V battery for backup power for the Tasman is shown in the
installation manual he
http://www.tasmaninstruments.com/doc...allation_b.PDF

I have recently asked the manufacturer to verify as what voltage the
audio stops functioning. That point is a little unclear in the manuals.

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

"Martin Gregorie" wrote in message
news
On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:54:22 +0200, Bruce wrote:

.....

We looked at the B40 vs Tasman recently for our club ships. In the end
we decided on the Tasman because it has no moving parts, and has the
built in
averager.

I've flown with a Tasmin once and liked it: the new vario down noise
sounds like an improvement.

The major advantage of the B.40 is its backup 9v battery: I think its
really important that a backup vario can operate with a dead main
battery. The Tasman literature mentions the possibility of using a
backup battery too, but its either well-hidden or absent from the
installation and user manual. I couldn't find a clear reference in the
price list either despite it being quoted as an option.

Do you use backup batteries with your Tasmans?

BTW, I have an SDI C4 that I intend to retain as my main vario.

--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |



--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

Hi Martin,

Those are very good questions. Your timing is impeccable. Just this
morning I e-mailed similar questions to the manufacturer, added the PK312
power pack to my web site, and ordered some of the units for my stock. I'll
know more about it soon and will respond to this better at that time.

It is my understanding that the PK312 is a battery box for a single 9V
alkaline battery. I'm assuming that it must connect to the vario using a
different + wire than is used for the 12V battery. A single 4-wire phone
style cable is used for 12V power and common, 9V power and the speaker. If
they didn't use separate wires for 9V and 12V power the 9V battery would be
damaged by 12+ volts.

The biggest question I have is at what voltage the audio stops functioning.
It is unclear to me in the manual.

The Tasman has been a very popular product. I have not received any
complaints about the units I've sold. I also like that it has an averager
display on the face of the unit.

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com



"Martin Gregorie" wrote in message
news
On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 14:21:50 +0000, Paul Remde wrote:

Hi Paul,

Here's what I find confusing:

- the PK312 aux. power supply still doesn't appear on the mfr's web site
other than as a block on the installation diagram. No web site, not even
yours, has any details of its internal functions, battery type or price.

- the specs. refer to different 'battery low' alarm points: as the PK312
apparently connects to the vario by the same two wires as the main battery
I'd like to know just how the Vario knows which battery it is being
supplied by.

I very much like the idea of a solid state device without a mechanical
display; I just wish I knew more about the PK312.


Hi Martin,

The use of a 9 V battery for backup power for the Tasman is shown in the
installation manual he
http://www.tasmaninstruments.com/doc...allation_b.PDF

I have recently asked the manufacturer to verify as what voltage the
audio stops functioning. That point is a little unclear in the manuals.

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

"Martin Gregorie" wrote in message
news
On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:54:22 +0200, Bruce wrote:

.....

We looked at the B40 vs Tasman recently for our club ships. In the end
we decided on the Tasman because it has no moving parts, and has the
built in
averager.

I've flown with a Tasmin once and liked it: the new vario down noise
sounds like an improvement.

The major advantage of the B.40 is its backup 9v battery: I think its
really important that a backup vario can operate with a dead main
battery. The Tasman literature mentions the possibility of using a
backup battery too, but its either well-hidden or absent from the
installation and user manual. I couldn't find a clear reference in the
price list either despite it being quoted as an option.

Do you use backup batteries with your Tasmans?

BTW, I have an SDI C4 that I intend to retain as my main vario.

--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |



--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

From unfortunate personal experience the audio cuts out at around 9.5V, and the
whole plot dies somewhere 8V. Quite outstanding - my .

Note to self - NEVER fly with a suspect battery again.

Cheers
Bruce

Paul Remde wrote:
Hi Martin,

The use of a 9 V battery for backup power for the Tasman is shown in the
installation manual he
http://www.tasmaninstruments.com/doc...allation_b.PDF

I have recently asked the manufacturer to verify as what voltage the audio
stops functioning. That point is a little unclear in the manuals.

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com

"Martin Gregorie" wrote in message
news
On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:54:22 +0200, Bruce wrote:

.....


We looked at the B40 vs Tasman recently for our club ships. In the end we
decided on the Tasman because it has no moving parts, and has the built
in
averager.


I've flown with a Tasmin once and liked it: the new vario down noise
sounds like an improvement.

The major advantage of the B.40 is its backup 9v battery: I think its
really important that a backup vario can operate with a dead main battery.
The Tasman literature mentions the possibility of using a backup battery
too, but its either well-hidden or absent from the installation and user
manual. I couldn't find a clear reference in the price list either despite
it being quoted as an option.

Do you use backup batteries with your Tasmans?

BTW, I have an SDI C4 that I intend to retain as my main vario.

--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |






--
Bruce Greeff
Std Cirrus #57
I'm no-T at the address above.