Heated Pitot Install

[vlittle]

Can you illuminate me on the characteristics of the heated Pitot/AOA?

Does the controller cycle the heating element on and off to maintain temperature, or is it a linear regulator? If it's a linear regulator, what is the minimum current through the element during normal operation?

For example, if I do not install the warning lamp, can I use my ammeter as an indicator that the pitot element is operating?

Thanks

Vern Little 9A

 

[dynonsupport]

The heated pitot is basically a bang-bang controller with two elements, so it draws either 0, 5, or 10A. It does PWM to ramp the elements up or down over about 1 second so there's no sudden current changes.

When you turn it on, you should see your ammeter go up to 10A within a second. Once up to temp, it could be drawing 0, 5, or 10A at any given moment, so an ammemter probably isn't highly effective at figuring out if it's working.

You can connect the light output to an EMS contact input if you wish.

 

[vlittle]

That's the way I thought you might do it. Drat, now I have to run a wire from the wing.
Vern