- Independent electric Vacuum and Pressure pumps and reservoirs
- Lightweight – about 20 lbs
- Dimensions: 12.5”D X 15”L X 9.75 ”H (32x38x24 cm)
- Fully portable, with internal rechargeable batteries for 8 hours of use on one charge
- Lighted LCD displays
Available Options:
- Hansen quick connectors (standard)
- Swagelok quick connectors
- Internal rechargeable batteries (standard)
- 220VAC external power supply (no additional charge)
- Internal 110VAC or 220VAC power supply (with no internal batteries) (no additional $ charge)
Physical Characteristics:
- Physical Dimensions: 12.5”D X 15”L X 9.75 ”H (32x38x24 cm)
- Weight: approximately 20 lbs (9 Kg)
Other Features:
- Leak test feature: 2 minutes, selectable down to 30 seconds
- VSI (vertical speed indicator)
Note: The PS-525 does NOT have the precision required to test RVSM altimeter systems.
The PS-525 pitot-static tester is the only one of its kind. It is fully portable, with internal rechargeable batteries to power the vacuum and pressure pumps, as well as the displays and any attached encoder. Inside the PS-525 there are two 12 volt gel-cel batteries that are charged from a 110 or 220 VAC wall adapter, plugged into the side of the unit. The batteries provide the alternative of either 12 or 24 volts to power any attached encoder. The test box can be left on the charger indefinitely, as it contains a trickle-charge circuit that prevents damage to the batteries due to overcharging. If desired, the box can be used while charging.
How long will the batteries last without needing recharged? The PS-525 and PS-525A testers will operate continuously for over 12 hours on one charge. The vacuum and pressure pumps operate independently, and only need to be cycled intermitently on an as-needed basis to keep the internal reservoirs charged. If the operator wishes to monitor the battery voltage, he may do so by pressing the “Select Code” button to display the battery voltage. By displaying the voltage, the operator can be confident that there is sufficient remaining charge, or he may decide to connect the charger if needed.
The PS-525 tester has separate, independent pumps for vacuum and pressure. Each are activated with their own switch as the operator deems necessary.
The PS-525 incorporates reservoirs (holding tanks) for both the vacuum and pressure systems. The pressure and vacuum levels within these tanks are reflected in the pressure and vacuum gauges on the front panel. These gauges enable the operator to monitor the pressure and vacuum, and then activate the pump switch for the system on an as-needed basis. This eliminates the need to keep the pumps turned on at all times, and extends the pump life and battery charge. The gauges also enable the operator to see if the pressure or vacuum levels are dropping quickly, in the case of a leak in the aircraft system, and respond accordingly.
All three LCD displays of the PS-525 pitot-static test box include back lights. This enables the operator to clearly see the displays in dim lighting conditions, as well as in direct sunlight. The backlights can be turned off by pressing both Exit buttons simultaneously.
NOTE: The yellow/green displays have been discontinued. The current displays are gray with white lights, which are more pleasing to the eye.
The PS-525 tester is specifically designed and priced for non-RVSM use. Many times there is a need to do a 91.411 test at a remote location or hangar where there is no power source available. In these cases, the PS-525 test box is the ideal tool, due to its full portability.
Many avionic shops and aviation maintenance facilities are eager to replace their old steam-gauge style test boxes, with their delicate instruments and high maintenance costs. The PS-525 is the ideal replacement, due to its size, durability, lower cost, and portable convenience.
The PS-525 test box is lightweight, at only about 20 lbs (9 kgs).
The outside dimensions of the PS-525 test box are: 12.5”D X 15”L X 9.5 ”H (32x38x24 cm) . This small size makes the box very portable, easy to handle, and will easily fit into baggage compartments.
The price includes the test box, the wall power adapter, two 20-feet hoses with connectors, and the manual. There are no test cables or other adapters included, as most shops already have these, and they would only add to the price of the unit.
Preston Pressure warrants its products against defects in workmanship and material under normal, intended use for a period of two years from the date of purchase. The batteries are warranted for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase. Valves are warranted for a period of 180 days.
If you are not satisfied with the performance of the PS-525 pitot-static tester, you may return it for a full refund, if returned within 30 days.
Returned products must be in original condition (normal, minor wear is acceptable).
Shipping costs are not refundable.
- Altitude goes up to 35,000 feet/10,700 meters (or 50,000 feet/15,240 meters for PS-525A version) and is displayed in 1, 2, and 5-feet increments (or 1 meter increments) along with the VSI – Vertical Speed Indicator
- Displays airspeed in Knots, KPH and MPH
- Reads pressure in inHg, mbar, mmHg, PSIA, and E.P.R.
- Selectable timing for Leak Check feature in Altimeter and Airspeed modes
- Built-in Encoder reader for displaying Gray Code, and RS232: 1200, 2400, 9600 baud
NOTE: The yellow/green displays have been discontinued. The current displays are gray with white lights, which are more pleasing to the eye.
The PS-525 displays altitude in feet and meters, as selected with the “UNITS” button. Both feet and meters are displayed along with their vertical speed component.
The PS-525 tester displays altitudes in 1-foot increments up to 20,000 feet; 2-feet increments between 20,000 and 30,000 feet, and 5-feet increments above 30,000 feet; or in 1-meter increments if it is in the metric mode. The Vertical Speed Indication also increments by 25 feet or 10 meters. The VSI section will display an up or down arrow, depending on the direction of altitude change being sensed.
Accuracy will vary with altitude:
-1500 to 10,000 ft ……….+/- 5 ft
10,000 to 20,000 ft ………+/- 15ft
20,000 to 30,000 ft ………+/- 20ft
30,000 to 40,000 ft ………+/- 30ft
40,000 to 50,000ft ……….+/- 40ft (PS-525A version)
The vacuum pumps internal to the PS-525 tester will draw sufficient vacuum to go up to at least 35,000 feet (10,700 meters).
A PS-525A version is available, and goes up to 50,000 feet. This model uses stronger vacuum pumps and additional programming to extend the calibration values up to the higher altitudes.
The PS-525 displays airspeed in MPH, or KPH in increments of 1, and Knots in increments of 0.1. The Knots display will indicate from 20 up to 650 Knots, MPH will indicate up to 748 MPH, and the KPH will display from 34 to 1204 KPH.
By pressing the Units Select button, the choice of speed can be changed to KPH/ Knots or MPH/Knots.
Both the Altitude and Airspeed displays can be set to display pressure in inHg, mbar, mmHg, and PSIA. These pressures are read directly from the sensor on the selected side.
The E.P.R. (Engine Pressure Ratio) is a reading that is the mathematical result of HighPressure/LowPressure, and is displayed only on the Airspeed side.. The PS-525 will display the low pressure, the high pressure (both in PSI), and the resulting EPR.The ratio values have a range from 0.07 to 6.00. Refer to the Operation Manual for more information.
Both the Altimeter and Airspeed displays have a leak check feature. This feature may be activated when in the Altitude mode or the Airspeed mode. There is no leak check function in other modes.
The initial pressing of the “Leak Check” button will enable a 120 second timer. Successive pressing of the “Leak Check” button will subtract 30 second increments from this time. Once the desired time is selected, the “Units” button is pressed to begin the timing. Pressing the “Exit” button will exit the Leak Check function.
While in the Leak Test mode, the display will indicate the gain or loss experienced during the test time period. When the timer reaches 0 seconds, it will stop calculating the loss, and will hold the value in the display until the “Exit” button is pressed.
The PS-525 test box contains a built-in altitude encoder reader for displaying Gray Code, and two separate, selectable RS232 inputs at speeds of 1200, 2400, 9600 baud. To select the disired reading code, the operator presses the “Select Code” button under the Decoder display, until the desired code is selected. Then the display will either read the signal, or display a message that the signal is not there. Gray code lines A, B, C, and D can be read independently by pressing the Select Code button to this function.
The connector pin-out on the front panel is identical to the pin-out of the popular ACK A-30 encoder. In fact, this encoder can be plugged directly into the connector if desired. Test cables can be built to extend the connector and test the encoder in the aircraft. In addition, adapter cables can be made to test all other encoders on the market. (Cables and adapters are not included in the sale of the box.)
The batteries internal to the PS-525 tester can power altitude encoders at either 12 or 24 volts. The desired voltage is selected by the toggle switch when the operator applies power to the test unit.
The Encoder Reader is compatible with outputs of the following altitude encoders:
ACK (gray code, 1200, 2400, 9600 baud)
Shadin (gray code, 9600 baud)
Trans-Cal
Ameri-King (gray code)
The Encoder Reader is compatible with the following RS-232 protocols:
Garmin 1200, 9600 baud
Northstar 2400 baud
Shadin 9600 baud
UPS AT 1200 baud
Trimble 9600 baud
Digital Altimeter:
- Display Range – model PS-525: -1000 to 35,000 feet (-305 to 10,700 meters)
- Display Range – model PS-525A: -1000 to 50,000 feet (-305 to 15,240 meters)
- Vacuum Pump Range – model PS-525: up to 35,000 feet (-305 to 10,700 meters)
- Vacuum Pump Range – model PS-525A:up to 50,000 feet (-305 to 15,240 meters)
Resolution:
- Sensor Accuracy:+/-10 ft @ 0 ft, +/-20 ft @ 35,000 ft, +/-50 ft @ 50,000 ft
- -1500 to 20000 feet: 1-foot increments
- 20000 to 30000 feet: 2-feet increments
- 30000 and up: 5-feet increments
- All metric resolution is in 1-meter increments
- Temperature range: 32 degrees F to 125 degrees F (0 C to 51 C)
Other Measurement Units:
- inHg (inches of mercury): 0.295 to 32.48 in increments of 0.01
- mBar (milli bars): 10 – 1100 in increments of 0.1
- PSIA (pounds/square inch): 0.145 to 15.95 in increments of 0.01
- mm HG (millimeters of mercury): 7.5 – 825 in increments of 0.1
Digital Airspeed:
- Range: 18 – 650 Knots, 34 – 1204 KPH, 0.00 – 1.00 Mach or 21 – 748 MPH
- Resolution: 1 MPH, 1 KPH, and 0.1 Knot
- Sensor Accuracy: +/- 1.5 knots
- Temperature range: 30 degrees F to 125 degrees F (0 C to 51 C)
- E.P.R. (engine pressure ratio): 0.07-6.00
Power Source:
- External: 24 VDC (from a 110 or 220 VAC adaptor)
- Internal: 12/24 VDC (internal rechargeable batteries)
- Optional: 110/220 VAC Mains powered, without internal batteries
Current draw:
- Display only: 125 mA
- 370 mA with vacuum pumps operating
- 320 mA with pressure pump operating
- 540 mA with all systems operating (and no encoder attached)
The Encoder Reader is pinned to match the ACK A-30 digitizer, and will provide selectable 12 or 24 volts. Tester is protected with internal glass fuse.
Individual gray-code lines can be displayed for troubleshooting.
Compatible with outputs of the following altitude encoders:
ACK (gray code, 1200, 2400, 9600 baud)
Shadin (gray code, 9600 baud)
Trans-Cal (gray code, 1200, 2400, 9600 baud)
Ameri-King (gray code)
The Encoder Reader is compatible with the following RS-232 protocols:
Garmin 1200, 9600 baud
Northstar 2400 baud
Shadin 9600 baud
UPS AT, Apollo 1200 baud
Trimble 9600 baud
Note: due to the many encoder versions, and their individual pin-outs, no encoder extension cable is provided. The operator may configure an extension cable as needed.
The encoder reader tests the operation of the altitude digitizer. It does not test the transponder!
PS-525 Manual PS-525 Manual Rev10