Our original 100 Series products used an "External" and an "Internal" method of controlling instrument intensity. This has worked well over the years. With the advent of the glass cockpit and our new 200 Series product we have moved away from the original method of intensity control. This has been our number one cause of install related issues and effective JAN-2013 we have changed the control in an effort to simplify things.
Revision 1 of the 200 Series uses a very simple intensity control. Either our A200-DDC Intensity Controller was used or, as in most cases, a "Day/Night" switch with two current limiting resistors. Our thinking was simple; during install the installer would select the appropriate current limit resistor pair and place them in-line with the power line to the LCD backlight. The process was extremely simple.
What we did not consider was the general lack of concern for installation instructions, no matter how simple. It became common practice to connect the instrument directly to the aircraft rheostat, even though this was not an option. When this was done (or any other option not part of the installation instructions) the LCD backlight was destroyed. Cost the the customer/installer was $185-$225, depending on the damage.
Naturally this did not go down well. Even though the source of the problem was the installers complete disregard for our approved instructions. Our original thinking was to keep things as simple as possible and, in doing so, to keep costs down. After just over two years of manufacturing the 200 Series products we elected to change the system. The effect of the change was that the instruments could now be connected directly to the panel rheostat or to a separate potentiometer; all much the same as our original 100 Series design. The cost impact was and additional $20 to cover the cost of components.
Amongst others, the biggest positive is that now the product cannot be destroyed should the installer fail to follow the instructions. call it a $20 insurance policy. Other than that, the units will perform exactly the same as if they were installed with our original A200-DDC Intensity Controller.
Effective JAN-2013 we no longer manufacture the Rev 1 products with the exception of warranty replacement units.
For more in formation on this change you can visit our website at:
Revision 2 Intensity Control Change
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