Know how to fix a skydiving altimeter?

[Oyinko 0]

I broke my altimeter Viplo FT50 yesterday.

I opened it and found a small piece of the mechanical altimeter moving in the case.

http://i.imgur.com/8pCgERb.jpg

I would assume this piece is going in the middle of the Aneroid.

https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Faa_altimeter.JPG

Any advice on how should I fix it properly? Do you think it would be accurate after the fix?

[df8m1 24]

Oyinko

My brand new altimeter Viplo FT50 felt on the ground yesterday. Unfortunately something broke inside...

I opened it and found a small piece of the mechanical altimeter moving in the case.

http://i.imgur.com/8pCgERb.jpg

I would assume this piece is going in the middle of the Aneroid.

https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Faa_altimeter.JPG

Any advice on how should I fix it properly? Do you think it would be accurate after the fix?

You will need to send it to a repair facility, or at least a metrology repair facility that has an altitude chamber with reference gauges...

Unfortunately this is not the sort of thing one repairs at home... I have recalibrated a couple FT-50s in the past for good friends, they are straight forward movements for someone with experience with this type of instrument...

[jonathan.newman 1]

Can you be a little more specific about the type of repair facility that you think could handle something like this? Same for a metrology repair facility. These aren't something you come across every day. Can you suggest one?

I, too, have an FT-50 that is out of whack. And since the manufacturer does not respond to inquiries, it's impossible to get it fixed that way.

Much appreciated if you could point us in the right direction.

Jonathan

[mjosparky 4]

Try this site.

http://viplo.com/notremetier_en.html

Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[jonathan.newman 1]

Thanks for the link, Sparky. I sent them emails in both English and French. Both were ignored. I've yet to hear from anyone who has successfully warrantied a Viplo alti. Would love to hear a positive experience.

[df8m1 24]

jonathan.newman

Thanks for the link, Sparky. I sent them emails in both English and French. Both were ignored. I've yet to hear from anyone who has successfully warrantied a Viplo alti. Would love to hear a positive experience.

That is unfortunate.. Many PIAs ago I contacted Viplo in regards to being a USA service center, but I never heard back from them..

As for a shop that would at least have the required equipment, you would need to find an aircraft altimeter repair shop, or maybe a barometer repair shop, but I seriously doubt any one would touch a skydiving altimeter.

Just a note: Even my warranty does not cover an altimeter that was dropped or hit against something. Altimeters are precision instruments, and have to be cared for as such. As a reference, never hit a mechanical altimeter harder than you would a fresh egg…

Hopefully you did not pay much for it. When buying gear, it is always a good idea to check the customer service history before you buy..

[Oyinko 0]

Same for me. they havent' answered to my email.

Since, I speak French, I will call them tomorrow to see what's going on.

[Oyinko 0]

I agree, but I opened mine and could see a weakness on the mechanical of the instrument: they use glue to stick a small cylinder on the aneroid...

[df8m1 24]

Oyinko

I agree, but I opened mine and could see a weakness on the mechanical of the instrument: they use glue to stick a small cylinder on the aneroid...

I have seen that kind of thing before. Generally the idea is to have a bar, or sometimes a pad, as a contact surface instead of the aneroid. In this particular instance I can not say... I don’t use such a thing in my altimeters.

Quality, most of the time, is in what you can't see...