Pilot activated light control activated by five mic clicks. Frequencies selectable from 188.000 MHz to to 136.975 MHz. Solid State relay control rated at 600 volts, 1.3 amps. Lights flash twice as visual confirmation to the pilot when light come on. Lights remain on for 15 minutes, and begin flashing 2 minutes prior to shutdown to alert the pilot to reactivate if needed with three mic clicks. A pushbutton switch on the board allows manual control, and an override switch forces the lights on for trouble-shooting. A 12-Volt 2.5 Amp supply is available to power external relays. Easy to install. Controller requires 120 VAC. (An Optional External VHF Antenna Kit is available to allow locating the controller in an area where radio reception is limited, such as on the side of a building or inside an airport office. You may also provide your own antenna.) Lighting protection is included on all eternal wiring to improve reliability and availability.
The Wind Sensor provides wind information to the light controller if Wind Transmission Feedback is desired. The Wind Sensor can be purchased now, or purchased in the fuuture to work with an AFS1000 Light Controller that already has the Wind Transmission Upgrade. Wind speed is measured to the nearest knot up to 99 knots, and magnetic wind direction is measured to the nearest 2.5 degrees. Wind data is transmitted via RF to the light controller, which in turn reports the wind information to the pilot when the lights are activated. Direction calibration is simple--Select calibrate mode, then using a compass, point the wind vane to magnetic north, then push the calibrate button. Wind direction and speed are displayed on a digital readout. A 120V AC is required to power the Wind Sensor, or instead a Solar Power option can be selected. Wind data can be transmitted a maximum distance of 3,500 feet (unobstructed) from the Wind Sensor to the Light Controller.
A photocell provides two features that are individually selectable via two separate switches. One switch causes the lights to be disabled during the day to conserve energy. A second switch causes the lights to come on automatically at night, to increase bulb life at busy airports. (Radio Feedback, if purchased, continues to operate with any photocell setting.)
A remote push-button switch allows manual activation of the the lights for 15 minutes (or manual Wind transmission, if that option is purchased). The switch can be mounted in an Airport office, for example, to allow manual operation when the office is manned, or automatic operation after hours. Any standard telephone wire cable can be used. A 50 foot wire is included.
Includes two relays to control medium brightness and high brightness. Five clicks activates high brightness, three additional clicks dims the lights to medium brightness. A third master relay is activated in both modes for separate control of windsock, VASI, or other non-dimming lighting. A switch on the board configures 2-step mode or 1-step mode.
Includes three relays control low, medium or high brightness. Five clicks activates high brightness, three additional clicks dims the lights to medium brightness, or three more to low brightness. A fourth master relay is activated in both modes for separate control of windsock, VASI, or other non-dimming lighting. Switches on the board allow selection of 3-Step, 2-Step mode, or 1-Step mode. Purchase of the 3-Step upgrade includes the 2-Step upgrade.
Selectable 1-5 Volt or 1-10 Volt control for interfacing with solid-state lighting controllers such as XXX Model ZZZ. Individual potentiometers for setting the output voltages for each of the three brightness levels. (Although not required, this feature is typically combined with 2-Step or 3-Step mode, since direct relay control is typically the simplest way for 1-Step mode control. Voltage control is addition to the relays provided if 2-Step or 3-Step modes are purchased.
A 4-20 ma control to interface with solid-state lighting controllers such as XXX Model ZZZ. Current control allows the lighting power controller to be located remotely near the lights, while the AFS 1000 controller is located optimally for radio reception or for ease of access, because current control is well-suited for control transmission over long distances fo several thousand feed. Current drivers maintain constant current in spite of electromatgnetic noise or voltage drop over long wires. Individual potentiometers for setting the output voltages for each of the three brightness levels, and an LED provides loop fult status. (Although not required, this feature is typically combined with 2-Step or 3-Step mode, since direct relay control is typically the simplest way for 1-Step mode control. Current control is addition to the relays provided if 2-Step or 3-Step modes are purchased.
An external antenna allows good reception from the pilot even when the Light Controller is located where accessability is convenient, such as on the side of a building, or inside an office. The kit includes a VHF antenna, 40-foot cable to the antenna, and RF fittings to route the signal internally from the radio receiver to the outside of the box. A pole for mounting the antenna is not provided, nor is lighting protection. An external antenna is required, whether purchased here or or provided by you, if Radio Feedback is used, to prevent the VHF radio transmissions from affecting light controller operation.
In addition to flashing the lights, the light controller transmits two mic clicks over the radio when the lights are turned on. This provides positive feedback to the pilot that the lights have come on to assure the pilot searching for the runway at night that the lighting controller is responding to the mic clicks. The pilot can thus plan from long distance that the lights are on and the landing will be successful. A tone is transmitted during the mic clicks. Various tones can be selected to differentiate between airports in case a similar controller on the same frequency is located nearby. A switch allows disable of the mic clicks if desired. (This feature requires and external antenna. You may provide your own or purchase Optional External VHF Antenna Kit below.)
In addition to flashing the lights, the light controller transmits wind direction and speed over the radio when the lights are turned on. This not only provides positive feedback to the pilot that the lights have come on, but it allows the pilot to select the landing runway and plan the approach from long distance without the need to overfly the airport to view the windsock, or provides wind information when a lighted windsock is not available. The name of your airport is programmed in at the factory and is transmitted with the wind information to identify your particular airfield. A control on the board allows setting voice pitch as desired. If wind information becomes unavailable, the light controller automatically reverts to Mic Click Feedback as described above. Mic Click Feedback above is included with this option, and does not need to be purchased separately.) A AFS200 Wind Sensor described below is required in order to have wind information sent to the AFS1000 light controller. The AFS2000 Wind Sensor must be purchased separately. (It can be purchased now, or in the future as an upgrade to an AFS100 that has the Wind Transmission Upgrade.) A switch allows disable of the mic clicks or wind transmission. (The Wind Transmission feature requires and external antenna. You may provide your own or purchase Optional External VHF Antenna Kit below.)
The AC Power Supply is replaced by a battery and a solar charger to save the expense of running dedicated AC wiring to a remote Wind Sensor. The LED's are extinguished (except in calibrate mode) and the rate of transmitting wind data to the light controller are reduced to conserve power. The battery will last 3 days on a full charge if unusually cloudy conditions prevent full solar charging. Spare batteries can be pruchased to extend useable time in very cloudy regions. (If this is common, then the baseline AC power version instead is recommended.)
This feature is a future capability under development. It is not yet available for purchase. The wind direction and wind speed transducers are mounted in a separate housing from the AFS2000 Wind Sensor electronics, to allow the transducers to be located on top of a pole or a building, for example, while the electronics are located in a lower more accessible location. 30 feet of cable is provided. Consult the factory for additional lengths. (The wind data RF antenna is mounted to the electronics, hence the electronics mus still be located where the transmission can reach the AFS1000 Light Controller.)
