I have just fired off an email to Saitek regarding my ProFlight Throttle quadrants.
The secondary quadrant, a few months back, developed a fault, namely the throttle and mixture levers were giving out an unstable output, and basically unusable. It is now in use solely for the buttons which is controlling my AC electrics, Gens/Batt/Starter etc.
Now the main throttle is going the same way, unstable and bouncing outputs.These units are just over 2 years old, with reasonable use, mainly for GA and some jets, for Helios, I use a Saitek twiststick.
A careful examination inside, reveals the lever controllers, are constructed using open to the atmosphere carbon sliders, instead of the more usual, and more robust, rotary pots. Ok, so the units are smaller for that.
I imagine that dust has filtered inside and on to the carbon face, and then wiped by the slider, which has gradually worn off the face, reducing electrical contact. A very poor design.
I am now faced with the prospect of replacing said controllers, sooner rather than later than expected. The Yoke and Pedals are A1.
Depending on Saiteks response. Replacement controllers. Saitek? Costing? Replacement controllers CH? Costing?Or dig out my soldering iron, and replace the pots with sealed rotary ones. A new housing for the larger pots will be needed of course.
Anyone else with Saitek throttle controllers, beware. I got mine from Pixmania, so I am not expecting a good response from Saitek.
I am not a happy bunny.Frank
