L-1011 Avionics Bending: Collins ADI Power On Test (Video)

The video above shows the Collins ADI used on the Lockheed L-1011 during my first power-on test. According to the tear-down tags that came with the unit these ADIs had not been powered ever since 1998. The power-on test is a gradual test where I power on the device and run one or two functions. I study the power consumption and look for obvious problems with the power supplies. In later avionics bending posts you will see the devices progressively integrated with the flight simulation environment.

The power-on tests are important to the project because the show me what does and what does not work. So far I have had a pretty good success rate and I would say that about 75% of the instruments that I have bought over the years out of surplus have powered up.

In the video above you see the Glideslope function active in both normal as well as Flight Director, or Gate, mode. In gate mode the pilot would receive the Localizer/Glideslope information superimposed on the ADI as a round gate. The pilot would simply fly the aircraft down the gate or the Autoland system would follow the Gate.

The ADI is powered by a 115VAC 400Hz power source and the ADI and LOC deviations are driven by a National Instrument 6024E card over a range of -3VDC to 3VDC. 

L-1011 Avionics Bending: Collins Radio Altitude Tape - Power on Test (Video)

Matt Witlispach who is building an amazing 747 simulator (Matt, I should really get your web site URL so I can post it on here) sent me some additional information on the Collins Radio Altitude Indicator. I did a preliminary power on test of the tape electronics only to see if the tapes that I have for the L-1011 project are functional or require repair. And yes, all the ones I have powered up just fine.

Here are a few things about the test that you see in the video above. The Radio Altitude Indicator is powered from a 26VAC 400Hz source. The altitude valid signals are simulated from a 24VDC source. The FAULT FLAG in the video does not clear because the Decision Hight (DC) portion of the instrument is not powered (I have to do a little more research on that part).

The altitude information simulated from a National Instrument Multifunction DAQ 6024E card and covers a range of -10VDC to +10VDC. The instrument, however, requires a -30VDC to +30VDC input range for the entire altitude range ... for the final setup I will run the DAC output from the card through an OPAMP.

L-1011 Avionics Bending: Gables ATC Transponder Power-On Test (Video)

The Gables ATC Transponder head that I would like to use for the L-1011 project has powered up successfully. The instrument had not been in use for several years and came out of obsolete surplus. I was uncertain if it would actually work.

The device powered up fine from a 115V 400Hz source and the head consumes roughly 43 mA.

The data-output form the head is in the ARINC 429 format. 

L-1011 Avionics Bending: Fuel Quantity Indicator Test (Video)

The youtube video above shows the Lockheed L-1011 Fuel Quantity indicator powered up using a 115V 400Hz power source and driven by a National Instruments 6024E card. You can find the pinout for the Fuel Quantity Instrument here. The device uses about 26mA during operation and roughly 15mA at rest. The simulated transducer signal for the fuel level in the tank ranges from 0VDC to +10VDC. In the test the instrument is driven from 0VDC to +5VDC.