REFLECTOR:A (re)volting problem

Dave Black reflector@tvbf.org
Wed, 01 Oct 2003 23:27:22 -0400


steve,

> (1)The pitot tube instructions say not to turn it on while on the ground..

The 'fine print' would say "Turn it on only briefly, as without forced air
cooling it'll get extremely hot and may melt something or burn you." You
certainly don't want to leave it turned on for long on the ground. 

> (2) The 24 volt windings are half the size of the 12 volt windings and are
> not designed to be run on 12 volts...

Huh?

It's certainly true the pitot was not designed for 12v. And it may be true the
windings use thinner gauge wire. But the wire is a higher resistance and thus
doesn't need to carry as much current. 

No harm will come to the pitot from running it on 12v. It's a simple resistor. 
Running it on half the voltage it'll carry half as much current as it was
designed for, and will thus last forever. 

Dave Black
Shortwing RG