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Winter altimeter subscale
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 12:04 pm
by shay.king
I recently purchased a 'Winter' 3 pointer altimeter for my homebuilt aircraft. While preparing to fly on a day when the QNH was 1042, I discovered that the barometric sub scale only went up to 1035.
I'm being told by the manufacturer that nobody has ever complained about this before.
In my previous experience with other altimeters, the sub scale range has always been at least from 950 to 1050mb.
I would be interested to hear about others' experiences with Winter altimeters.
Re: Winter altimeter subscale
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 7:21 pm
by AlanR
Yes when I purchased one of these 7years ago I too was amazed that it didn't go above 1035. However for me I only have it as a backup to my EFIS so it has never been a big deal. The altimeter other than this shortcoming has been fine.
I now need to purchase another backup Altimeter for my new project and it is disappointing to hear that this issue has not been rectified by Winter.
Re: Winter altimeter subscale
Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 3:56 pm
by C Rule
I guess the thing to do is to set 1013 and fly with a appreciation of QNE
Re: Winter altimeter subscale
Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 11:56 pm
by johnmichie
Colin
my 2 1/4 inch Winter three pointer, bought 10 years ago, only goes to 1035, but as it's the standby and I never look at it, that's ok.
John
Re: Winter altimeter subscale
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2015 10:19 pm
by shay.king
Just to conclude this item. I had to send my altimeter back to the factory to have the baro. knob tightened. They also added 5 graduations to the sub scale beyond 1035, extending it to 1040. In further correspondence I discovered that in the event of very high pressure it is OK to wind the sub scale past the end of scale to set the required QNH. On my altimeter, 1040, top of scale, is adjacent to 935, bottom of scale. If I need to set 1042, I wind on 2 more increments. The indication will be 933 but the reference will be 1042.
This is probably as clear as mud unless you have a Winter altimeter in front of you.