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6
ADVANCED FUNCTIONS
6.1
TOTAL ENERGY COMPENSATION
Total energy compensation is the
rate of change of atmospheric
pressure and displays this as a
vertical speed. If you slow down in
flight, your glider will climb using the
excessive kinetic energy. A “non-
compensated” vario would interpret
this as lift. Now, if you are flying
quite fast and slow down when you enter a thermal, the vario reading gets rather difficult
to interpret. Part of the lift reading is due to slowing down, and part is due to lift from the
thermal. With total energy compensation, the part of the climb due to the change in
velocity is ignored, allowing you to identify “real” thermals.
To identify the correct total energy compensation value, an air speed probe must be
connected to your vario. The optional air speed probe should be plugged in to the right
hand socket on the bottom of the vario.
To determine the correct total energy compensation value, with an air speed probe
connected, you should fly in calm air conditions and slow down as if you are entering a
thermal. If the vario shows a change in lift, you have to increase the total energy
compensation value, go to (M-SET \ n. 10 TEC). Then try again until the change in
velocity isn’t recorded as lift.
A typical value for hang gliders is 65. Setting this value to “0” deactivates the total
energy compensation function.
6.2
THERMAL CENTERING FUNCTION
This is a live plot of your vario against time, it scrolls whilst you are flying. It will help you
to see how wide the thermal is and how far you flew from the best lift you encountered. It
is especially useful in weak conditions.
To switch between the Thermal Centering Function and the Graphic Altimeter press the
key (long pressure).
The horizontal (x) scale, time (in minutes) can be changed, go to (MAIN SETUP \ n. 13
BARX).
The vertical scale (y) height (in meters) can also be adjusted, go to (MAIN SETUP \ n. 14
BARY).
