Pee toe toobs

[captain_john]

I was wondering what we collectively knew about pitot tubes available to us.

I need to make a decision soon and want to make an educated one.

The way I see it, I have to deceide between 4 options.

1) The standard Van's toob
2) The Dynon heated with AOA (my favorite thus far)
3) Gretz Aero (dunno much about it, researching it now)
4) AN style with Gretz Aero mount (know less about it, more research)

Can anyone help make this decision for me?

I am leaning towards a Dynon package and it seems all plug and play.

Any experience there?

CJ

[mustang]

John,
From what I understand, the Dynon tube must be mounted on the Gretz base to fit.

Cheers, pete

[Dan A]

John, All I can tell you is I bought a heated pitot tube from ACS two or three years ago for about $200. Nw they are listed at $1094.00 (model AN5814)! Van's $5.00 tube is a good deal !
Dan Getting ready for paint!!

[Guest]

You may also want to consider the Dynon non-heated pitot with built in AOA, pretty cool for $199 plus the mount. You could use either the Gretz Aero or the SafeAir1 mount. I just mounted my SafeAir1 and documented the installation in my wings page.

http://wills-rv9a.com/My_Homepage_Files/Page8.html

Hope this helps!

Will

[Spike]

Thanx for the info will Make sure you stick around and enjoy yourself.
 
-- Spike

 

Submitted via email

[captain_john]

Thanks Guys!

Will, did you place this in the standard "Van's location"? It looks like the next bay "outboard".



I am considering moving the mount to the wing tip (ala Grumman) on Wicked Stick's recommendation. It would be easy to service from the wingtip and away from the bellcrank stuff.

On the down side, there is more tubing to run.

Also, I want a heated tubs, but the Dynon AOA looks more appealing than having heat for the time being.

Re: the Dynon

I have seen contradicting intel on the tubing size for the pitot. I understand it needs TWO lines, but in most places it says 3/16" and in one place it says 1/4". Which is correct?

I see they have a forum on their site. Maybe that would be the best place to start, but seeing as we are discussing it here I thought I would toss it out.

CJ

[captain_john]

WOW!

If this Safeair1 mast doesn't look DIRT SIMPLE, I don't know what does!



http://www.safeair1.com/index.htm

Has anyone used it? I wonder how it'll mate up to the Dynon pee toe? Will, have you fitted them together yet?

Mebbe I will get it, as I am a dirt simple kinda guy!!!

CJ

[Will]

I scratched my head for a long time thinking about where to put it as the plans call for the Van's mount to be placed inboard of the outboard inspection plate and it's inboard rib. The instructions for the pitot mast clearly stated, however, that I was to mount this sucker outboard of that inspection panel just past the adjoining rib. I couldn't really think of a reason why, but it didn't really look like it mattered all that much so I did per SafeAir1 plans.

As for mating it, I have not purchased the pitot yet, but I did purchase the tubing kit for pitot/static as well as the AOA tubing kit from SafeAir1 so that I knew everything would fit together smoothly and, if not, it would be on them to make it right. I still will have to drill the attachment holes in the mast itself to attach the pitot, but it is only 4 little holes and it will ensure a perfect fit.

By the way, Dynon is making a heated version, but have not released the pricing yet (I expect it to be way up there 'round $1000) so I may pre-wire now for later upgrades if I think I need it.

It was a fairly simple install, except for the template, and the price was right, so I think I will be happy.

Will
www.wills-rv9a.com

[tshort]

What is it about a heated pitot that makes it cost 1000$?

Seems like a simple resistance mechanism, and if not "FAA certified" why so expensive?

Thomas

[captain_john]

OK, Thomas... sooo ummmmm do you think that mounting this little booger outboard of the "preferred" location would be a problem?

I too, expect that it will mate smoothly. I do hope that the heated version will be identical. I am running wires to the location just for the eventuality that Dynon WILL MAKE a heated tube. I am counting on it!

Will, the additional cost can be attributed to supply/demand as well as possible recalls and enhancements, as we ARE in an EXPERIMENTal market.

So long as it is affordable and competetive, I can't fault them for that.

Would I like to see $400? Hell yes!

Likely? Probably not.

Soooooooooo, what size plumbin' do I run to this thing? Right now I am between 3/16" and 1/4" aluminum tubing.

CJ

[Spike]

Hmmm, I wonder why Vans considers it a "preferred" location? Might have something to do with airflow, etc.

[bmurrish]

I am guessing that they must have tested and recieved optimal results in that area.

[Guest]

why all the expensive pitot questions, is someone going flying in ice conditions?

[bmurrish]

I doubt anyone here would get anywhere near icing, especially since everyone seems to be affraid of having a wheel in the back where it belongs.

[captain_john]

It seems that the location has to do with slipstream falsely affecting it's data. Grumman puts theirs on the end of the wing.

I think it will go mid wing, like everyone else does. I am really leaning towards the Safeair1 kaboodle for the Dynon toob. They don't have a heated one yet, but when one comes out I will likely upgrade to it. It is good for evaporating condensation and cooks mud wasps!

As far as going into known icing, I will leave that to coffee rolls.

CJ

[bmurrish]

Hey CJ, Did you ever decide which pitot to go with? I plan on going with a heated one and have sent emails off to a couple vendors with no response back. I am almost ready to close the left wing so I would like to get something soon. Can you just plumb it now and decide later?

[captain_john]

Ya know Bill, what is up with these vendors not getting back to us?

I have heard of several people saying these things and I personally have had no response from Gretz, so I put my money down on the Safeair product and so far, really like it and it's simplicity.

I bought the plumbing kit and all. It was priced right, they seemed straightforward and returned my email promptly.

The kit seems versatile enough to accept a wide vartiety of products, so I feel like I haven't boxed myself into using a specific vendor.

Check them out. You may like them too.

CJ

[bmurrish]

I guess all it took was a post here and I got a reply from a vendor. I emailed Jon Johanson and they sent me a reply. They need to know where I am shipping it to in order to get a total price.

When you order a Gretz mount you must specify which pitot you are installing. Are the Safeair mounts different in the fact that they will accept any type?

[captain_john]

HA! That's quite a coincedence!



Umm, dunno... I wonder why they prompt you for brand of pitot tube?

I stopped my research when they said it would take the standard heated unit or the Dynon. As far as I am concerned, that was all I needed to hear.

This is the first I have heard about it, because Gretz never got back to me!

Have you seen this page?

http://www.safeair1.com/Dynon/Dynon_Install_1.htm

It explains alot.

CJ

[bmurrish]

Good info on Safeair.

I just got a reply back from Jon Johanson's Flymore Company and their 12V heated pitot is $350 delivered to my door in CO. I believe you can use either the Gretz or Safeair mount.