FAQs

Avionics products manufactured by ACK Technologies, Inc. are warrantied against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three years from their manufacture date. This warranty is limited exclusively to repair or replacement of the E-04 ELT and associated parts which were manufactured by ACK Technologies, Inc. the defective parts must be returned freight prepaid to our manufacturing facility. This warranty does not include repair or replacement of any part that has been improperly used, installed or physically damaged. This warranty does not cover any damage caused by chemical exposure. Discharge of the ELT lithium battery is not covered by this or any other warranty. Except as provided herein ACK Technologies, Inc. makes no express warranties, and any implemented warranty of merchantability of fitness for a particular purpose is limited in its duration to the duration of the written limited warranties set forth herein. ACK Technologies, Inc. shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages arising from the use or misuse of this product. Except as provided herein no employee, agent, dealer, or other person is authorized to give any warranties of any nature on behalf of ACK Technologies, Inc. YOU MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE

The FAA has determined that installation of an ELT in a non-pressurized aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or less is a minor modification and no form 337 is required. Our web site has a copy of this letter under Tech Support.

Most 406 MHz ELT do not have certification of the lithium battery pack. The ACK E-04 and E-04C ELT’s have a Lithium battery pack that has been certified to FAA TSO-C142a requirements for use in aircraft. The battery is also certified to UN 38.3 T1/2/3/4/5. The cells we use are manufactured by Saft America and utilize the latest design in safe Lithium cell technology. The electrolyte is non-flammable and Saft has demonstrated that the cell is safe even if penetrated by a high powered rifle bullet. These cells are extensively used by the military. During our certification we had to demonstrate that the battery pack and cells would not produce fire or flame when subjected to crushing of the cells, direct shorting if the individual cells and battery pack, when subjected to very high temperature, accidental charging by exterior voltage, penetration of the cells and many other tests.

Yes, we have Transport Canada, as well as Industry Canada approval *Approval letter is posted under "Technical Library" under the Miscellaneous section*

Yes, we have ETSO 2C126, 2C91a and C142a approval. Brazil ANAC and ANTEL, and Canadian approvals, *Approval letter is posted under "Technical Library" under the Miscellaneous section*

The 406 MHz beacons transmitted power is 50x greater than the old 121.5 / 243 beacons. Location accuracy without GPS is greatly improved over the 121.5/243 ELT’s. And with GPS location can be as accurate as several hundred feet. With GPS connected, your exact location will be downloaded to Search and Rescue organizations within 10 minutes of activation. Without GPS input location can take up to 3 hours, and accurate to 1- 5 km radius.

No, we have designed the new E-04 to be the same size and shape as our current E-01 so people replacing our units can use the same mounting tray and straps without having to modify anything, however the internals are completely different and modifying an E-01 into an E-04 is not possible.

The retrofit kit is what you would buy if you currently have our E-01 installed in your aircraft. It will include only the components you need to change over to the E-04. This includes: The new 406/121.5 frequency antenna, the Audible Alert Indicator, Installation Manual, and the E-04 itself. It will NOT include the Remote Control Panel Indicator, Remote cable, Antenna Coax Cable, or Mounting Tray and Straps.

My plane is in / nearing annual, how would I pre-install for an ACK E-04 ELT? To easily prepare for an E-04 installation while your aircraft is apart you will want to run the wiring for the remote control panel indicator, since this is typically run through the floor of the aircraft. The cable is RJ-11 phone cable, using phone connectors. You will run the cable with the male end resting where you want to install the remote control panel indicator, and then run the female side to where you want to mount the new E-04 ELT. This cable part# E0110A can be ordered directly from us, or your typical avionics parts dealer. See GPS pre-install question below for instructions.

The changeover will be quite simple, and we estimate it taking a half hour or less without the GPS interface. You would simply snap the new E-04 into the mounting tray and straps you currently have. Then plug the pigtail coming off the E-04 into the female socket to the remote-control panel indicator. Next disconnect the BNC at the base of the antenna and remove the nut and lock washer holding the antenna in place, then replace the old antenna with the new E-04 antenna that has the same footprint. Lastly you will have to plug in the in-line audible alert indicator. The indicator will have two female jacks on each side. You will simply plug the male pigtail off the E-04, or the male end connecting into the remote unit into one side. Then plug the male extension cable into the unused side of the audible alert indicator, and into your remote, or remote cable.

Three different antennas are certified for use with our ELT. The basic whip antenna included This antenna has the same footprint and installation procedure as our previous E-01 antenna for an easy swap out. This antenna will is swept back twenty degrees, and slightly longer than the antenna for the E-01, and recommended up to 250Knots. We will also have available a high speed blade type antenna manufactured by Sensor Systems and rated to MACH 1. (Part# S65-1231-1) and a rod antenna rated for 350 knots.

Yes, the following antennas are compatible with the model E-04 ELT.

COMANT CI 319-1 (blade)

Sensor Systems S65-1231 (blade)

ARTEX 870-3137 (blade)

ARTEX 110-340 (blade)

ARTEX 110-340 –1 (blade)

ACK Technologies Inc. CI 319-1-1 (blade)

ACK Technologies Inc. AV-300-1 RAMI AV-300

You may not use any previous generation ELT antenna with the E-04 406MHz ELT.

The “Self Test” on the ACK E-04 ELT is performed from the aircraft cockpit by pressing the “Reset” button when the ELT is in the “Armed” mode and is not operating. This should be performed every 3 months. This test sends 3 audio sweeps of the 121.5 MHz transmission followed by a single 406MHz burst.

The audio alert indicator replies with a single beep if all systems are “Ok” or a series of beeps to indicate various fault conditions. The ELT checks for the following during the “Self Test.”

* Battery condition
* Transmitted power
* Frequency lock
* Data error
* High VSWR

1.75 Lbs.

Yes, every E-04 ELT we build will have a GPS interface.

No, the GPS interface is optional but recommended.

The new E-04 will accept Bendix/King, Garmin aviation formats @9600 baud, or NEMA 0183 input @1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600 baud. The commercial model E-04C also accepts ARINC 429 high and low speed position data.

Yes, virtually all handheld GPS devices output the NEMA 0183 data format.

The E-04 receives the data input from your GPS once per second. The ELT uses the last data received from your GPS as its location when the ELT is activated either manually or by the crash sensor.

You will need 3 shielded wires, 24 gauge or greater. (Power, Ground, and RS232 Data) The A+ and A/C ground wire will need to reach where aircraft buss power is available, to your ELT mounting location. The RS-232 data line needs to extend from your navigation equipment data output, to your ELT mounting location.

The GPS interface uses a 4 pin MINI DIN circular connector. The mating plug will be supplied with the ELT.

The lithium battery pack will be good for 5 years from the manufacture date printed on the battery.

Yes, you MUST register your E-04 ELT with the authority regulating ELT’s in the country in which it is installed. You can face possible sanctions or fines for operating a 406 MHz ELT without registration.

No, all the model E-04 ELT’s are programed with Standard Location Serial Number Protocol. In the US you simply register the ELT with NOAA online.

Yes, you must have the ELT programed for the country the aircraft is registered in.

In the U.S. we supply ELT’s using the serial number standard location protocol you may register you ELT with NOAA online.

There are many programing facilities throughout the world that have programing capability our website has a link to a list of these facilities.

We do not sell direct, so you would have to purchase your new ACK E-04 ELT through your local avionics shop, or avionics parts supplier.

You can E-mail us at info@ackavionics.com with your question, or you can always give Artie, Jose, or Mike a call here at ACK and we will do our best to answer your questions. The phone number is (408) 287-8021 and believe it or not, a real live person will answer the phone, without having to go through a 10 step recorded program. We are open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM west coast time Monday through Friday.