Therm-X, Electr-X Offer Electrifying Options For Builders
Representatives with RDD Enterprises, LLC told ANN Monday of the
company's new line of products, designed exclusively for
experimental aircraft.
RDD is the exclusive distributor of Therm-X, a proprietary
electro-thermal de-icing system derived from an FAA certified
system designed by Kelly Thermal Systems. Therm-X is simple by
design -- it has no moving parts other than an alternator, and it
requires no messy and expensive de-icing solution.
Therm-X consists of a graphite foil laminate applied to the
leading edge of the wing and horizontal stabilizer. Electronic
heating elements embedded within the laminate are powered by a 75
volt/100 amp alternator. The result is 7,500 watts of digitally
controlled and ground fault protected energy coursing through two
heating zones to keep the wings free of ice in unexpected icing
encounters.
The leading edge "parting zone" receives constant heat while the
"shed zone" is managed by a digital controller to receive a heated
cycle to disbond ice so it can be aerodynamically whisked away,
virtually eliminating runback.
RDD also announced special introductory pricing of $21,595 --
well below the price of other systems, notes RDD -- in conjunction
with next month's Lakeland Fly-In.
"RDD is excited about introducing Therm-X to the experimental
aircraft community at Sun 'n Fun next month," stated Mark Mahnke,
RDD Enterprises Systems Integration Manage. "The show
attracts thousands of experimental aircraft enthusiasts who can
take advantage of this one time offer so we decided to introduce
Therm-X a bit early and encourage builders come to Sun 'n Fun ready
to cash in on a great deal."
The company also
unveiled Electri-X, an advanced electrical system specifically
developed for the unique demands of the experimental aircraft
builder. Electri-X consists of two independent systems, that are
also fully redundant.
RDD personnel note the critical difference between "dual" and
"redundant," is that many aircraft with dual electrical systems
generally have a lesser back-up electric system that cannot
continually operate all normal electrical load items without pilot
action to shed load. Electri-X redundancy means that both
electrical systems are equal in form and function -- meaning either
system is fully capable of powering all standard equipment
independently.
Electri-X by RDD offers a level of electrical power delivery
redundancy usually only found on twin-engine or very high-end
piston singles. Dual 60 amp alternators, dual batteries, dual
busses and dual wiring harnesses all controlled by one central
control unit ensure that an electrical emergency will not force you
to shed power, pull breakers, turn off critical standard systems or
fly a partial panel in the event of an electrical emergency.
RDD says its systems allows the pilot to fly the aircraft
safely, with less distraction while the remaining power supply
system keeps all normal equipment energized.