Version 2.12
9.12.2002
The LX160 is an electrical vario meter and final glide calculator with the ability to receive NMEA sentences from an external GPS device (COLIBRI, LX20, LX400, GARMIN …). This way the LX160 calculates a final glide to a point selected on the GPS device. The LX160 calculates the wind component. Without the external GPS device, the LX160 functions like a normal electrical vario meter with final glide calculation. The pilot just enters the parameters (distance, wind component, altitude of target point, polar). This instrument is made on the LX5000 principle, so all the mathematics about final glide calculations are the same as the LX5000.
This manual will teach you about the device, its functions and all the advantages. Please read it carefully before you install the device. The best way to learn basic and more advanced functions about the LX160 is to turn it on at home and go step by step through this manual. We have done our best to achieve, as little handling during the flight as possible, if the on- ground preparation has been optimal.
The manufacturer doesn’t take the responsibility for possible mistakes or misprints in this text and gives no guarantee for accuracy of this manual.
This manual has been written with the greatest care and we have done our best to avoid any mistakes but with all respect please check any doubtful statement and let us know. We would be very grateful and we thank you in advance for any comment.
Our address:
1 x LX160
1 x LX160 cable
1 x LCD indicator + 1 x LCD cable
1 x Speaker
1 x LX160 Manual
Operating voltage: 9-16V
Nominal voltage: 12V
Current consumption: 110mA at 12V (LX160 + LCD indicator) Operating temperature: from -10°C to +60°C
Storing temperature: -20°C to +70°C
Figure 1 Switches
ON/OFF:
Switches power on or off.
SC/VARIO/AUTO: (mode selector)
SC is speed command mode
VARIO mode
AUTO mode
MC:
After MC switch is activated the upper number shows the MC. After App. 1 second this disappears. With a short press MC increase/decrease for 0.1, with a long press MC increase/decrease for 0.5.
BUGS:
BALLAST:
upper position (2) 10% glide ratio degradation (default)
middle position (BUGS) 0% glide ratio degradation (default)
lower position (1) 5% glide ratio degradation (default)
upper position is full ballast (2) +20% of min. load (default)
middle position is without ballast (BAL)
lower position with half of ballast (1) +10% of min. load (default)
FILTER: (vario filter)
AUDIO VOLUME:
upper position (2) 3 seconds-default (very strong filter)
middle position (FIL) 0.5 seconds-default (almost no filtering)
lower position (1) 1.5 seconds-default (weak filter)
With a long press the volume increases/decreases faster, with short press volume is increased/decreased slower.
LOW BATTERY INDICATOR
BUGS INDICATOR
UPPER NUMBER DISPLAY
VARIO MODE INDICATOR
NEEDLE
SPEED COMMAND RING
GLIDE PATH
SPEED COMMAND MODE INDICATOR
LOWER NUMBER DISPLAY
NEEDLE SHOWS
VARIO NEEDLE SHOWS RELATIV
NEEDLE SHOWS NETTO
NEEDLE SHOWS SPEED COMMAND
Figure 2 LCD indicator
The unit is powered from LX 160 via 485 cable. On the back there are two SUB D 9P connectors, which are completely parallel. Both could be used like inputs or like outputs for other units (LCD). 485 protocol is delivering data strings for four independent LCD vario settings. Which data string will be accepted is defined using different positions of the DIP switches on the backside. There are no other settings on the unit.
Figure 3 Rear side of LCD indicator
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On the rear side of LX160 are three probes.
On TE probe is connected total energy or static, if we havent total energy. If static is connected, vario is not compensated. Electronic compensation is necessary.
Pst is static pressure needed for speed.
Ptot must be connected on total pressure in nose of glider (pitot). If this probe is not connected properly, instrument will not work good. (on speed depends all important calculations like glide path, speed commad, netto relativ, polar…)
Figure 4 Rear side of LX160
After powering up the LX160, wait app. 40 sec. to warm up the sensors. On the LCD indicator we will see displayed LX160 and the number of version.
Figure 5 After power on
The LX160 has two main modes: VARIO and SC (speed command) mode. In the vario mode the needle displays vario, the upper number displays average. Only if airspeed is present average is displayed. The lower number display is decided by the user in the “INDIC” set- up menu.
Figure 6 Vario mode
In SC mode, the needle displays SC, other information is selected by the user, the same as in the vario mode.
Figure 7 SC Mode
The SC ring (inner ring) always displays SC value, no matter in which mode the LX160 is in.
!
We get to the set-up menu by pressing up the MC+ and VOL+ together.
The LCD indicator will display the first set-up menu. With the MC switch we can change between the set-up menus. Values in set-up menus can be changed with the VOL switch .
In first setting menu we are setting wind component in units which are selected in units table
Figure 8 Wind component
In this menu we are setting the distance to target point. With long press of VOL switch, distance will increase/decrease for 10 units. Short press of VOL will increase/decrease the distance for 1 unit. For GPS information, the lower number is available. Information about GPS and distance is changed every second.
Figure 9 Distance to target point
In target menu we can set the altitude of the target. In case, that we have altitude on altimeter (ALT), set on QFE, and we want to fly back to our home airport (same as take off), TARG must stay on 0. If the altitude on the LX160 is set on QNH, we need to set the altitude of target. In that case we can make a final glide to each point selected, if we know it’s altitude.
Figure 10 Target altitude
Menu for setting altitude on QFE, QNH before take off or for correcting altitude during flight. It’s pilot decision what kind of altitude will be displayed (QFE or QNH).
Figure 11 Altitude set-up
In this menu we are setting the altitude reserve. If the altitude reserve will be 200m, that means, the final glide will be calculated 200m above the target point.
Figure 12 Altitude reserve
In this menu we enable or disable receiving of NMEA sentences from a GPS device. Default is NMEA receiving is enabled. If we want to correct some calculated parameter (distance, wind component), we must first disable NMEA, because if NMEA is enabled a GPS data is valid, we are not able to change these two parameters. When we disable receiving of NMEA both parameter values remain. Receiving of the NMEA can be enabled back at any time. If the GPS device is not connected on the LX160, or the GPS data is not valid, this menu has no use. (GPGGA, GPRMC, GPRMB)
Figure 15 GPS data valid
Figure 14 NMEA is disabled, NMEA data is detected
Figure 13 NMEA is disabled, NMEA data isn't detected
Figure 16 GPS data isn't valid
If we enter the correct password, we have access to some special functions and settings.
Figure 17 Password menu
Passwords:
04670 System set up menu
01049 Automatic calibration of speed and vario on zero
The LX160 contains a database of polars. We can choose from 85 different types of polars (table). If the polar is set to index 0 (USER). The pilot can set the polar parameters (a,b,c and wing loading kg/m2)
Figure 18 Polar
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If polar is set on index 0 (USER), then LX160 uses for calculating of glide path this four parameters, which can be set by user in this four menus, where Pola is parameter a, Polb is parameter b, Polc is parameter c and load is wing load of glider (kg/m2). Use POLAR.EXE program for calculate a,b,c parameters.
Figure 19 Polar parameters
Two wind modes are available. Automatic (Wind component) and Fixed (set by user)
Figure 20 Wind methods
In this menu we can set, what will be displayed on the LCD indicator. We can make settings for four different indicators (depends on the address switches on the back side of LCD indicator). For each indicator we have prepared 10 templates (watch table below)
Figure 21 Indicator setting
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GP – glide path ; SC – SPEED COMMAND; INT - average
We can choose between four types of unit settings (European, English, American, Australian). We can see them on table.
Figure 22 Units setting
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In this menu we can set the speed at which the LX160 will switch from VARIO to SC mode if AUTO SC is enabled.
Figure 23 SC speed
If we have the LX160 set-up for pneumatic TE, (connected to a TE probe), TE compensation is set to 0%. In case, that we have connected to static pressure, TE must be user selected from 0% to 150%.
Figure 24 TE compensation
SC mode with no audio information in area ±1.5m/s
Figure 25 SC mode with no audio information
Time of integration (average vario) can be set in this menu. Time range is from 1 to 40 seconds
Figure 26 Integrator time
During flight we can enable or disable PASS menu in set-up menu.
Figure 27 Access to PASS menu during flight
Inverts external SC input
Figure 28 Inverting Speed Command input
Figure 29 Battery voltage
Figure 30 Enable or disable output for WinPilot
For each switch position (0, 1 and 2 of FIL switch), different filter constants can be set. Filter constant unit is a second.
Range: from 0 to 5 seconds.
Figure 31 Vario filter setting
Ballast settings for all three positions of BAL switch can be set. Range: 1.0 to 1.5 (overload constant)
Figure 32 Ballast setting
Example:
Glider weight without ballast + pilot = 360kg Maximum takeoff weight = 450kg
Ballast weight = 80kg
overload_constant = weight + ballast
weight
Bug settings can be inserted in percents (%). That means glide ratio degradation in %. Range: 0% to 30% glide ratio degradation.
Figure 33 Bugs - glide ratio degradation setting
Final glide calculation
Figure 34 Final glide
Example 1:
If navigaltion will be always on our home airfield (where we take off Target 1).
After power on LX160 altitude and target altitude (elevation) are set on 0 m(ft) - (QFE). Glide path will be calculated always to 0m.
Altitude on LX160 is D
Example 2:
We are flying task. Before take off, altitude on LX160 should be set on airfield elevation QNH (A). Altitude on instrument is (C). If we navigate on airfield (Target 1), target altitude on LX160 must be set on Target 1 elevation (A), if Target 2 is our turning point, target alt must be set on elevation of Target 2 (H).
Result is always glide path (GP). If GP is positive, means we have reserve. If it's negative we'll not reach the target. We must raise up until GP will not be positive. Glide path function is calculated from following parameters:
polar
McCready
altitude
target altitude
disatance to target
wind component
If settings on the LX160 are unusual (e.a. distance is negative), we can set all values back to the default settings. This action can be done, if we switch off the instrument, push down VOL and MC together and switch the instrument on. On the LCD we will see a message “data init”.
Figure 35 Initialisation of memory
LX160 with version 2.0 supports communication with WinPilot CE software. For old units with versions lower than 2.0, a firmware update and wiring upgrade is necessary.
DB-9/M
Figure 36 Wiring extension
Q: Why does the LCD blink ?
Figure 37
A: Check indicator cable. Check, if LX160 works.
Q: LX160 can’t receive GPS data.
A: Check if GPS device is connected correctly. Check if GPS device transmits correct data (GPGGA, GPRMC, GPRMB sentences)
Q: Vario in LX160 is very slow. SC doesn’t work properly. A: Check if probes are connected properly
Q: What means that message?
Figure 38
A: Program data in eprom is damaged or socket for eprom is damaged. Insert new eprom or check socket and pins on it.
Q: Can you tell me how to zero the vario?
A: In password menu enter:01049 and waituntil autozero procedure is finished.
Q: My glider is not on the polar list of LX160. How can I calculate aPolA,PolB and PolC parameters?
A: Use LXpolar program in LXe. It's available on our web.
Q: How to connect Winpilot with combination of LX160 and Colibri?
Ch. 8.13
A:
Q: What does the instrument display look like when I am:
Flying too slow Flying at the right speed Flying too fast
A: The upper display (average) remains at 0.0 no matter what climb or sink rate you have. Q: If airspeed is not present average remains on 0.0. Check if Ptot proble is connected properly. It should be connected to »NOSE«
Appendix
Tree structure
VARIO
SC
8
15
7
14
6
13 SC
5 B
12 A
+12V DC OUT
+12V DC I N
GND
30 cm
+12V
Chinch
4 SPEAKER
11 RXD
3 TXD
10
2
9
1
GND
GND
SHI ELD
red yellow
1
6
RX 2
7
3
8
4
9
GND 5
1
6
2
7
TX 3
8
4
9
GND 5
Drawing not to scale.
The cutout needed for the lcd indicators conforms to standard with 2 1/4“
GND
GND
TXD
SPEAKER
RS485 B
+12V DC OUT
+12V DC IN
+12V DC IN
GND
GND
RXD NMEA
RS485 B
SC
+12V DC OUT
+12V DC IN
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Printed 09.12.2002
