Comms Headache

[Bundy]

I am currently training on an Aquilla 582 belonging to the school I enrolled in. The comms system is an Air Magic system that relies on batteries located in the pilots helmet and I cant tell you how many times the batteries run out mid way through a lesson/flight. All of a sudden no comms, no way of communicating with the instructor... etc. Its actually f%$#@g dangerous!!

Do all comms sytems work this way? There is a battery on the trike so why do the comms have a seperate power supply? I am still very new to the game so please can you enlighten me on the other options availiable? The trikes owner seems to think this system is great! (Maybe just the commission, ha ha)

Just wanna know what to look for when I start shopping for an aerie myself.

[Morph]

It's not the comms at fault but the instructor for not keeping tabs on the battery usage.

The airmagic system is without doubt one of the best on the market, and because there is no power link to the trike, a clearer reception is experienced.

Zulu1 on this forum is the manufacturer and he supports his product very well.

Note, if the correct Lithium batteries were used in the headset they can give up to 100 hours of usage between battery changes


I'll get him to respond to this message

[ZULU1]

Bundy, I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing a problem with our equipment and obviously if there is a manufacturing fault then we will fix the problems.

Firstly we designed the systems as the equipment that you have to keep the set up very simple and use less plugs fittings and other "kit" We have sold thousands and many satisfied customers. That keeps the price down and obviously is a concern for new users.

I would imagine that the system is being used with rechargeable batteries and as a result they lose about 1% charge per day. As Morph advises we supply originally a set of Primary Li Ions and these last in excess of 120 hrs. Of course the possibility exists that they are being left plugged in and that will flatten the batteries as they will be left on. Always disconnect the yellow plug sets (Pilots)

However if they are sent back as a pair we will certainly service them and replace the batteries at no charge and see how that fairs.

The system that you desire (self powering) we do make and as result of the power supply from the plane and other issues makes the systems much more complicated, and obviously the price increases considerably.

The best batteries to use that are commercially available are Energizer Blue LI Ions. The Ballito school hammers these sets and by log book monitoring they change every 80hrs with zero faults over the last 5 years.

The offer is to send them back and let us service them. We certainly dont want unhappy customers.

M G Lintott
PO Box 681
Ballito
4420

Zulu1

[AndyG]

Now that is what I call service backup

[Bundy]

Thanks very much Zulu 1.

I will definately chat to the operator of my flight school and forward what you say to him. I think that the rechargeable batteries ( I will check what type they are and get back to you) that he is using are probably just inferior then. It could also be that they are just not charging properly as well?

Done just over 19 hours now in training and we have had to change batteries in the headset about every 2 hrs or so. Something is definately wrong on this system, (especially considering the other schools out there are getting 80hrs between battery changes) and I will encourage the owner to get in contact with you to try and sort out the problem.

Thank you very much for the prompt response! I appologise if I have unintentionally made Air Magic System out to be a bad product! Still a rookie and have lots to learn.

[ZULU1]

No problem at all Bundy, its possible the batteries if rechargeable are suspect. The chips we use work down to 2,4 Volts. When you use primary Li Ions or Alkalines they are 4 x 1,5 Volts = 6 Volts. With NiMh/Ni Cd rechargeable they are 4 x 1,2 volts which is 4,8 Volts. So obviously you start off with a lot less power than with a Primary cell. When we use the systems that recharge we insert 5 x 1,2 Batteries and thats a head start. These recharge from the systems though. Now to get them to charge you need about 7,2 volts with some form of current limiting and also line choke filters with a regulator. But trust me with all the filters in the world, some noise creeps through. I know its difficult to hear it. We are working on a ANR system for open cockpit and this brings even further problems in filtering a Rotax supply.

You just cant beat primary Batteries simple and cost effective !!

Let us know when you send the sets.

Zulu1

[Mc Guyver]

No problem at all Bundy, its possible the batteries if rechargeable are suspect. The chips we use work down to 2,4 Volts. When you use primary Li Ions or Alkalines they are 4 x 1,5 Volts = 6 Volts. With NiMh/Ni Cd rechargeable they are 4 x 1,2 volts which is 4,8 Volts. So obviously you start off with a lot less power than with a Primary cell. When we use the systems that recharge we insert 5 x 1,2 Batteries and thats a head start. These recharge from the systems though. Now to get them to charge you need about 7,2 volts with some form of current limiting and also line choke filters with a regulator. But trust me with all the filters in the world, some noise creeps through. I know its difficult to hear it. We are working on a ANR system for open cockpit and this brings even further problems in filtering a Rotax supply.

You just cant beat primary Batteries simple and cost effective !!

Let us know when you send the sets.

Zulu1

Paul,
I use Duracell batteries on my older headsets and change them maybe every 120 hours (about 3/4 months) whilst they are still good. I do unplug before getting out of the trike.
Can't ask for anything better

[Conrad]

The batteries dont go off that quick if they discharge, the audio goes softer slowly.
By the sounds of it, there is something wrong with the batteries...
I have had 3 helmets, with an older trike
now another 3 types of headsets battery operated...(kit built)
and I only charge them once every 3 months. The Airmagic system is the best out there.

[Tailspin]

I have only changed batteries twice in the 3 years plus i have had my AirMajic system - Not a problem from day one (except when i destroyed the chatterbox in my little oops ) But then it was replaced and i only paid for postage and replaced parts.

[Bundy]

Hi Guys, Just checked the system this morning, (had to change the batteries again) The flying school is using cheap s@#t safeway rechargeable NI Cad AAA bateries Qty = 4 x 1.2V. Gonna take your advice and change to STD Duracell long life and see what happens.. Zulu 1 mentioned they use 4 x 1.5V but I thought all AAA's were 1.2V ? Anyway, will struggle on and give you all feedback.

Thanks for the tips.

[ZULU1]

Bundy, rechargeable are 1,2 volts and Primary (ones that you cant charge) are 1,5 volts. Duracells should be fine but let us know. Offer stands for the service..

Zulu1

[ilikeatrike]

Hi everybody,

I have used the Airmagic Chatterbox with 2 headsets for about 70hrs (2 years) and am extremely happy with it.
I have a small whip antenna(factory std from solowings on Aquilla) and a vertex radio,and i can honestly say that
this is the best system i have ever had.

Can anyone give me the following info as i will have to replace the headset batteries in the future.

- Are there batteries in both headsets?
- Batteries in the left or right earmuff?
- How does one replace them? i have tried to remove the rubber earpads but they dont budge seem to be glued?
- Tried to remove the foam lining inside the earmuff but it too is glued into place.


any advice would be appreciated.


Cheers

[mulderpm]

I am a new owner of a Chatterbox and I am accustom to the way of working of the Buzzcom sytem.

1) Can the pilot and the pax both be heard on the radio when the PTT is pushed? (Buzzcom has a switch, "pilot" or "both") This is critical when doing skills tests with an instructor!
2) When connecting my MP3 player (SanDisk Clip+) and the volume is high on the player the audio in the headsets cycles on and off. When the volume is reduced the audio stays on. My Buzzcom did the same. Why?

Hope I am not hijacking this thread.