Features

• Solid-state design for reliability
• High-current solid-state relays with short-circuit protection
• Measurement of phase currents to heating elements / boots
• Two modes of operation:
  • On / Off (2 position switch)
  • High / Low / Off (3 position switch)
• Two annunciation light outputs:
  • Prop Heat ON (blue)
  • Prop Heat FAIL (red)
• Configuration via Laptop Computer to adjust:
  • Mode of operation
  • Current range minimum limit
  • Current range maximum limit
  • For both high and low heating cycles:
    • Phase A on-time
    • Phase B on-time
    • Phases off-time
• The Propeller De-Ice Controller is field upgradable
• Future CAN bus expandability

Operation

The pilot has one switch to control and two annunciation lights to monitor:

• Prop Heat Switch - On/Off (2 position) OR High/Low/Off (3 position)
• Prop Heat 'ON' Light (annunciation)
• Prop Heat 'FAIL' Light (annunciation)

A 3 position prop-heat-switch is used to select either HIGH heating cycle, LOW heating cycle or OFF (deicing disabled). Typically low cycle is used when OAT (outside air-temperature) falls between zero and -16°C. The high cycle is typically selected below -16°C. A more simple 2 position prop-heat-switch may alternatively be used to select only heating ON (enabled) or OFF (disabled).

The prop-heat-ON-light (normally blue) tells the pilot that heating is enabled. The prop-heat-FAIL-light (normally red) informs the pilot of a problem / failure with the system. The PDC detects system failures by monitoring the current to the heating elements (boots) - when the current drops below the minimum configured level or moves above the maximum configured level, the FAIL light will come ON.

Installation

The following picture shows the PDC module installed in the engine compartment which reduces the wire count through the firewall:

In the picture bellow the slip-ring assembly is shown at the rear of the propeller hub.