A bit of a long shot but are there any aircraft pilots or aircraft instrumentation engineers on here

Col_Decker

If so form an orderly queue, I've questions for you. Artificial horizon content.

Sporky

I did an aeronautics module for my degree. I'm pretty sure I've forgotten all of it but would be happy to make up some crap.

not_the_dj

Is the camper that unstable on the motorway?

chillidoggy

Are you about to crash? If so, can you make sure that you video it for the lads?

VimFuego

he's gone very quiet, I suspect you guys were too late. I hope you're all happy.

Col_Decker

excellent, get your thinking/makingup cap on then ...

when I was on holiday in my campervan t'other week we were parked on a slight hill, which meant me and mrs.decker suffered a bit of rolling to one side of the van during sleeping. So I was thinking of getting a caravan leveling indicator, which is basically 2 spirit levels, to make sure we park nice and flat. But the ones I've seen so far are pretty naff.

Sooooo I thought maybe an aircraft artificial horizon instrument might work better, and look cool too. Anyway I've seen one on ebay from a WWII Me109 (going cheap atm but its early days in the auction). 

How do they work? Are they basically a float in a liquid or is there a load of sensors and electricery that are needed to make it go? I'd only need the pitch and roll axis working.

ta

Col_Decker

not_the_dj said:

Is the camper that unstable on the motorway?

Oh yes, hilariously so. Its like driving on an ice rink. Windy days are the worst.

McToot

Bollocks to that - it's an instrument of war, used by the Hun to kill our flyboys.  Use a spirit level. 

Col_Decker

McToot said:

Bollocks to that - it's an instrument of war, used by the Hun to kill our flyboys.  Use a spirit level. 

Its ok they lost. Plus its a VW, as in the company started by A.Hitler himself (kind of)

wiki: The Volkswagen Beetle, officially called the Volkswagen Type 1 (or informally the Volkswagen Bug), is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen (VW) from 1938 until 2003.^[6] The car was conceived by Adolf Hitler when he was leader of Nazi Germanyand wanted a cheap, simple car; he contracted Porsche in 1934 to design and build it to his exacting standards.

Paul_C

wiki says "Attitude indicators use a gyroscope (powered via vacuum pump or electrical motor) to establish an inertial platform."

Sporky

Just get a bubble level. Simple, cheap, no faff.

not_the_dj

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B001MBEPKM Not quite as cool as something from a WW2 plane though.

not_the_dj

Btw, Do you seek advice on the pro/cons of the traditional 3 saddle telecaster bridge in the off topic section of the Volksworld forum?

Headphones

Most are indeed gyros driven by vacuum (inlet manifold connection should be fine...), but perhaps of more immediate use (and lower price) are a plethora of free smart phone apps that'll do the same job.

Just visit your friendly local store.

Much easier to remove than a dodgy instrument bolted on too.

Col_Decker

Oh good lord no. Discussing non vw stuff on them forums is frowned upon.

PolarityMan

Just dont park on a hill.

Col_Decker

Phone app installed, good idea Headphones.

It would be cool to have an Me109 AHorizon though. Wonder if I could persuade my old man to let me have the Spitfire clock he's got tucked away in the shed too.

/doubtful

viz

Remember spirit levels don't work if you are accelerating (including going round corners).

Emp_Fab

You can't tell if a van is tilting without an instrument to tell you ??? !!  If I still worked in the DVLA, I'd be sending you for a medical right about now.

Carol earlier today...

mike_l

Easy mistake Emp, that's not Carol, that the "Lady" Carol tried chatting up.......... >:D<

chillidoggy

Emp, you should take this up as your next project on Decker's behalf.