Altimeter

[Mark Anderson]

My altimeter failed the 24 month check today. Can any one recommend a good brand, model altimeter? Thanks

[skipsouthernsky]

Dear Mark,

Have your old altimeter rebuilt. Most any instrument shop can do that. If you have to have a recommendation, try Kelly in Kansas, or Castleberry in Texas.

Sincerely,
Skip Dykema

[Mark Anderson]

My Altimeter is an old Kollsman that has the green Phosphorus radioactive glow in dark paint. The avionics shop I used said no one would rebuild them anymore because of this. I bought a new Mid Continent. Thanks!

[N3322G]

Mark,

I just had a 'similar' experience on the original air speed gauge. It needed work and the avionics shop that the maintenance shop uses said, forget it - We called Air Parts of Lock Haven and no problem, send it. Don't know if the altimeter would have been the same but since I'd had this success with an old instrument, I'd thought I'd pass it along.

[Mark Anderson]

Pat, that is good to know. I was wondering what to do when my airspeed indicator gives up. I am not sure how to get a new one with all the colored arcs and stuff. I will try them when that happens.
Thanks

Mark

[skipsouthernsky]

Dear Mark,

I understand that your avionics shop said that nobody would rebuild your altimeter. I am wondering what an instrument shop said. I hope you didn't let the avionics shop keep your old altimeter. I would guess it is possible to overhaul it and checking with an instrument shop with the altimeter make and model will prove that. Last I saw, new altimeters were running around $700 to $800 and rebuilds were in the neighborhood of $250. The rebuild generally includes repainting the indicator dial with matching arcs ( although altimeters don't have arcs, you would still have a new looking face). Far as I know, Kollsman is one of the best altimeters you can buy if they are still available.

Sincerely,
Skip Dykema

[N3322G]

Mark,

FYI. I spoke with Air Parts of Lock Haven today and asked about your altimeter - George said he can fix that stuff usually without difficulty. He went on to comment that other shops frequently just don't want to do the repair, they just want to sell a new instrument.

Having said that - as a non-mechanic owner, I frequently learn-by-checkbook when it comes to stuff like this ... by the time I quit flying, I may know enough, but then again maybe not

It is exactly why I read the all the Forum items even if I don't have that problem, I learn from others.

[Mark Anderson]

Pat, you could not have said it better about learning with the check book! I will be more careful next time. I chose this avionics shop out of convienance. I thought it was just going to be a simple pitot static check. Skip, they did keep my altimeter. I am going by first thing in the morning to try to get it back. I might go ahead and have it repaired and either keep it as a back up or install in my panel as a back up. If not it will make a nice paper weight.

Thanks

Mark

[N3322G]

Mark,

Interesting that they kept your altimeter. I usually find the best shops offer the used parts back to the owner. The really good ones like to show off the old parts as it gives them a chance to demonstrate their expertise. I always learn more from them.

Up to you on how you want to handle - if they don't have your part to give to you - they may have honestly tossed it in the trash or they may have gotten a rebate for the 'core' value. If they did get value for the core then I would have expected a discount on your invoice stating that ... but not all shops are that detailed in their billing. I like to give folks the benefit of the doubt but I do ask more question than I use to.

Hope this helps.

[Mark Anderson]

Pat, the original quote they gave me was around $1050. I told them that I would let them them know that I was going to try to make some calls to Kollsman and check on other options on a rebuild. They called back in about 10 minutes and said they checked with Mid Continent and that they would give me $200 for mine. So, in my haste I gave them the go ahead. I didn't make any calls. I suspect they were just trying to sweeten the deal and make the sale. If they are really getting $200 for it, I guess I will have to decide what to do. I called late Friday and one of the guys in the back said he didn't was shipped out yet, but he couldn't find it.

[skipsouthernsky]

Dear Mark and all,

Just a heads up on keeping good information at you fingertips. I subscribe to "Trade-A-Plane". My best recollection is that the plan I am on is $25 for two years which gives unlimited internet access and a paper copy once a month. The going prices and availability of many aircraft parts are readily available in the advertisements and it is a good place to find potential companies to source your parts and services. Most everything that is happening in general aviation will be reflected in Trade-A-Plane.

In your particular example, keeping up with prices and availability would have given you much more bargaining power in dealing with your avionics shop. Sorry, but I know this is a case of closing the door after the horse has left the barn. Maybe it will help in warding off the next problem though. Look on the bright side. You have a top notch new altimeter which will last for many years to come. If you distribute the cost over 15 or twenty years, the $850 won't seem so bad.

Sincerely,
Skip Dykema

[N3322G]

Skip,

Thanks - that's a great idea - I hadn't thought of using it that way.

[Mark Anderson]

I decided to forgo the $200 for the core and keep the altimeter. It is on the way to Air Parts of Lock Haven for a rebuild. I plan to install in my panel for a secondary altimeter. Thanks for the help!

Mark