Zulu 3 issues

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JohnS

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JohnS
I just got a brand new Zulu 3 headset (traded in my Dave Clark’s for $250 discount). I was so excited to try out I headset with noise cancellation, Bluetooth, and the ATC recording/playback features.

Unfortunately, when I plugged my headset into the panel, I could hear ATC and myself for about five seconds, and then nothing. I tried wiggling the connector, pulling them out and putting them back in, and each time it would seem to revive for a few seconds and then die. I tried the input on the right seat, and had the same result.

So I had to resort to a crappy old pair that luckily were sitting in the plane. When I returned from my flight, I tried the headset in a few other planes, and it worked great.

So my question is, does anyone have any ideas as to why they wouldn’t work in this plane versus others? Or experienced similar issues with the headset seeming to work initially and then cutting out after about five seconds?
 
JohnS said:
I just got a brand new Zulu 3 headset (traded in my Dave Clark’s for $250 discount). I was so excited to try out I headset with noise cancellation, Bluetooth, and the ATC recording/playback features.

So my question is, does anyone have any ideas as to why they wouldn’t work in this plane versus others? Or experienced similar issues with the headset seeming to work initially and then cutting out after about five seconds?
Click to expand...

No ideas, but now you’ve got me worried. I did the same deal, and mine just arrived in this afternoon’s mail. Have had it plugged into iPhone via adapter for about 30 min so far without issues. Hope to fly tomorrow.

Good luck on your problem.
 
I have not had any issues with mine at all. Is there a chance the batteries that came with them are dead??
 
1SGBrokePilot said:
I have not had any issues with mine at all. Is there a chance the batteries that came with them are dead??
Click to expand...

That would kill the ANR, but you'd still be able to hear ATC.

I would call Lightspeed... And before you do that, maybe check their web site for a FAQ, and RTFM too. But this doesn't sound normal to me.
 
I had a similar issue. It was a dip switch issue. You probably have a stereo audio panel and the dip switches are not set properly.

In my case, the headset worked great in a 172. However when I bought my mooney with a stereo audio panel, I could only get the headset to work if I had one of the plugs inserted to just the right point. Essentially, I was bypassing the stereo feed. My mechanic figured it out for me.
 
I used to have a 182. All my zulu’s Worked great but often times people in the right seat would have problems with their Bose. I assumed it was something in the jack.

I have Zulu 1’s, 3’s and two pfx’s with no problems
 
Try changing out the mono dip switch to stereo. I had the same problem when I went from the ghetto trainer 172 to a plane with a nice audio panel.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
JohnS said:
I just got a brand new Zulu 3 headset (traded in my Dave Clark’s for $250 discount). I was so excited to try out I headset with noise cancellation, Bluetooth, and the ATC recording/playback features.

Unfortunately, when I plugged my headset into the panel, I could hear ATC and myself for about five seconds, and then nothing. I tried wiggling the connector, pulling them out and putting them back in, and each time it would seem to revive for a few seconds and then die. I tried the input on the right seat, and had the same result.

So I had to resort to a crappy old pair that luckily were sitting in the plane. When I returned from my flight, I tried the headset in a few other planes, and it worked great.

So my question is, does anyone have any ideas as to why they wouldn’t work in this plane versus others? Or experienced similar issues with the headset seeming to work initially and then cutting out after about five seconds?
Click to expand...


Hi John,
I'm having the same problem. My headset was working great on a 172 trainer, but I've moved up to a 182Q with full glass cockpit and upgraded comms system. My older DNR set works fine.

Did you try changing to a stereo config? If so, did that do the trick?
Simon
 
Definitely check the dip switches! When I received my Zulu 3 the dip switches were not in the default configuration. Check the manual and ensure your dip switches are in the right positions.

My Zulu 3 work fine in a 182j and a 172 g1000 and 172 steam gauges.
 
I would recommend calling them and not trying to just figure it out. I would expect them to fail into a dummy non-ANR, but usable, state. Even if you got them working now, I would be worried they may fail in the future.
 
You think the brand new headset is more likely to be the issue vs your 40+ year old jacks? Are they mono or stereo jacks? Loose contacts on those old jacks can cause many troubles.

Then I read that you tried it in other birds with great results. Seems to be a ship-side problem rather than the headset.

Calling Lightspeed will result in the same questions I just asked you.

Might consider some new jacks. I've swapped them out for many customers with similar issues.

Please do keep us informed. Never know when a new piece of voodoo might come along for us to watch out for
 
Check the dip switches. Reverse the current set up. If mono, switch to stereo. If stereo, switch to mono. There's a good chance that will solve the problem.
 
JohnS said:
I just got a brand new Zulu 3 headset (traded in my Dave Clark’s for $250 discount). I was so excited to try out I headset with noise cancellation, Bluetooth, and the ATC recording/playback features.

Unfortunately, when I plugged my headset into the panel, I could hear ATC and myself for about five seconds, and then nothing. I tried wiggling the connector, pulling them out and putting them back in, and each time it would seem to revive for a few seconds and then die. I tried the input on the right seat, and had the same result.

So I had to resort to a crappy old pair that luckily were sitting in the plane. When I returned from my flight, I tried the headset in a few other planes, and it worked great.

So my question is, does anyone have any ideas as to why they wouldn’t work in this plane versus others? Or experienced similar issues with the headset seeming to work initially and then cutting out after about five seconds?
Click to expand...


I started having EXACTLY this problem this morning. It is the 3rd different Cessna 172 I have flown in (school) since getting the Zulu 3's. They worked perfectly in the other two planes, but cut out after 5 seconds in this one, from either seat, repeatedly. Also unplugged them and they worked for 5 seconds when plugged back in, but that's it. I had to switch to a spare set that one of the instructors (fortunately) had.
 
My Zulu 3 worked very erratically in a Diamond, and improved when I changed the deep switch to stereo. This seems to be by far the most common issue. Using the manual squelch instead of the auto, on the Diamond, helped too.
 
I'll switch mine to stereo and see how that goes. Thanks.
 
I had the same issue, I flew 172R and 172S G1000 and my Zulu 3s worked perfect. I started flying the Piper Arrow and my first flight it worked great. Then I flew another Arrow (different plane) and it cut out after 5 seconds and I would unplug and plug it back in and it did the same thing. Tried the other side and same problem. I then flew a third Arrow today and it didn’t work at all, not even for 5 seconds. I just switched the mono to stereo on the dip switch and hopefully that works.
 
AlecL said:
I had the same issue, I flew 172R and 172S G1000 and my Zulu 3s worked perfect. I started flying the Piper Arrow and my first flight it worked great. Then I flew another Arrow (different plane) and it cut out after 5 seconds and I would unplug and plug it back in and it did the same thing. Tried the other side and same problem. I then flew a third Arrow today and it didn’t work at all, not even for 5 seconds. I just switched the mono to stereo on the dip switch and hopefully that works.
Click to expand...
I had this happen for the first time a few weeks ago when giving lessons in a Piper Arrow with a new avionics upgrade. Fortunately, the owner had a spare headset.

I suspect it's a mini/stereo or dip switch issue but since this the the only airplane I've been in the years I've owned a Lightspeed, I'll probably just bring my backup headset rather than mess around with anything other than the stereo switch.

Edit: I just checked with the owner of the 1 out of the dozen or two airplanes I've been with the problem. Their upgrade included a stereo audio panel. We're set for another lesson in two weeks so I'll give it a try.
 
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