My IVP panel has Vertical Power VP-200 by Marc Ausman installed.  We're not
operational yet, but I understand you can program a trim lock out feature
that you base on time of operation.  In other words if you run a trim motor
beyond a programmable length of time, it cuts that circuit off so there is
no longer electrical current to the motor.  The VP screen would at the same
time give you a visual warning signal, allowing you to deal with this as a
critical flight event and you would land, or you could decide to trouble
shoot or reset and continue on your way.  This is like the system Wally
Bestgen reported on, but is built into a product that does a huge number of
other things for you as well.

I like this idea a lot.  I don't know if it's fool proof, but it certainly
provides a level of safety  that is inherently missing in a basic setup.
The idea of being on autopilot and not having that feedback of trim input
could be a very insidious precursor to disaster.  The fact that the VP
system detects and compensates for the condition without my having to
recognize the problem is reassuring.

For more on the gadget, go to www.verticalpower.com



Regards,

John Barrett, CEO
Leading Edge Composites
PO Box 428
Port Hadlock, WA 98339
www.carbinge.com