A single or twin-engine aircraft cockpit jampacked with gauges of different types and sizes might look awesome or look like a spaceship to passenger or friend you are trying to impress but for the pilot – they are a pain to keep track of during a flight. The pilot can’t possibly be keeping track of all the gauges and also fly the plane at the same time. True, each gauge provides vital information on a particular part of the aircraft engine. This reminds us of wrist watch – most of them even today, display just the time. Newer models display time and date – maybe even the day of the week. Still newer models incorporated a chronograph, a stop watch and even have an alarm. The latest are the “digital smart watch” that can even display your heart rate and how many step you walked during the day. As technology improved so did the number of features on the once humble wrist watch? Ditto the gauges in the aircraft cockpit. Earlier they used to be analog only. Today, digital versions are available. As an aircraft owner, you can either choose to replace a single old analog gauge with a slim-line digital version of it or, you can replace a whole bunch of analog dials and gauges with a single slim-line digital gauge. What’s with the “slim-line?” Well, “slim-line” means it occupies very little physical space so everything of importance can be placed right in front of the pilot instead of being spread all over the cockpit. Another major difference is that modern slim-line gauges are ‘digital’ meaning, they display the data in numbers or graphs or numbers and graphs instead of a needle on a dial. Numbers make it more accurate. So instead of (say) displaying three-quarters on a dial for fuel in the tank, you can now see the exact quantity in litres or Gallons. Naturally, the connection between the slim line gauge and the aircraft engine will also change. The new replacement will be a sensor and wires connecting the sensor with the slim-line gauges. The wires transmit data in electrical pulses that could be interpreted by the smart electronics circuits inside the slimline gauges. More advancement: Of course, you could go the whole nine yards and install an Engine Data Manager (EDM) which in turn is about the size of an iPad and replaces a whole range of gauges. So, instead of having several gauges – slim-line or analog, you have just one EDM. The EDM did not just replace analog gauges, it also replaced Slim Line Instruments by displaying several sets of data in a single window. The EDM is capable of displaying data for fuel, Oil temperature, OAT, RPM, Voltage, Manifold Pressure, OIL Pressure and so forth. In fact, not only does it display the information, it can also be programmed to trigger an alarm for abnormal readings e.g. low fuel level, abnormal oil temperature, abnormal pressures etc. In most cases, single and twin-engine aircraft owners who had analog gauges, usually replaced them with slim-line gauges and later on, upgraded to EDM’s. Some who had the budget, went directly from analog gauge to Electronic Data Management Systems. How you proceed depends entirely on your budget. The difference between slim line and EDM is that each slimline gauge usually displayed one piece of information. So, you had a slimline gauge for OAT, RPM, Oil temperature, Voltage, Manifold Pressure, OIL Pressure and so forth. For options on modern slim line gauges, please visit: https://www.jpinstruments.com/shop/slim-line-experimentalhomebuilt/
0 Comments
This document assumes your general familiarity and knowledge of aircraft engines and its systems. If you are not familiar with it, please seek the services of an authorised aircraft maintenance engineer. Installation of the JPI manufactured Fuel Scan 450 in cockpit panel: Locate / create a 2.25 or 3.125 diameter hole in the instrument panel, where you would like to mount the indicator. The instrument configures itself automatically for 14 or 28 volt aircraft systems. The depth required for the instrument is 1.5 inches (less connectors) and is 2.6 or 3.5 square behind the panel. Wiring from sensors to the cockpit: The fuel flow wires from the probes of the Fuel Scan 450 must be routed through the firewall using flame retarding silicone and fireproof rubber grommets. Using existing hole will make your task much easier. Ensure the wires are routed away from any high temperature areas (i.e. turbochargers, exhaust stacks etc.). Secure the Fuel Scan 450 probe leads to a convenient location on the engine, allowing for sufficient slack to absorb engine torque. Please ensure the fuel flow transducer wires do not touch any metal parts of the air-frame or engine since abrasion during flight will destroy this wire. Refer to the manual for the wire connection. Mounting the Fuel Flow Transducer of the Fuel Scan 450 Twin: Before you start, know that if your aircraft engine is equipped with a fuel return line from the carburettor back to the fuel tank, then you have to use two transducers. The transducer output port should be mounted at same height or ideally, lower than the carburettor inlet port (or fuel servo on a fuel injected engine). In some aircraft, due to space constraints, this might not be possible in which case, please use a loop placed in the fuel line between the Fuel Flow Transducer and the carburettor or fuel. As far as possible, do not hard mount the transducer to the carburettor or fuel servo. Also, do not remove the caps on the flow transducer until the fuel hoses are ready to be installed. Carefully note the Fuel Flow Indicators direction marked on the transducer - it is important that the fuel must flow in that direction only. As you fit the flow transducer for the Fuel Scan 450, mount it so the wires exiting the transducer are pointing upwards. Examine the fuel hose pipes and remove any loose material or dirt that might be deposited. Next, connect the fuel hose pipes. If using air pressure to clean the hose, ensure it does not enter the Fuel Flow Transducer. More information on Fuel Scan 450 can be obtained here: https://www.jpinstruments.com/shop/fuel-scan-450/ Single Engine vs. Twin Engine Management Systems in Aircraft - A Comparison of J.P.I Products10/10/2018 Single Engine Management Systems J.P. Instruments manufacturers the following models in single engine management systems for aircraft: EDM 350, EDM 830, EDM 730, EDM 900 Primary, EDM 930 Primary, EDM 950, EDM 700, EDM-930 Experimental, EDM 930 Experimental and EDM 800 The EDM 350 is designed for Experimental Aircraft, is very compact, features full customization and includes the legendary JPI quality and accuracy. Amongst Engine Data Management Systems for single engine aircraft, this model is the most cost effective and reliable. TSO’d for quality, the Engine Data Management EDM 830 is amongst the most accurate and advanced piston engine-monitoring instrument that your aircraft could have. The EDM 830 features fuel flow and a full GPS interface. The EDM 730 is easy to install, features clear, full-colour graphics and easy-to-read data display. The EDM 730 is easy to programme, has annunciation of exceedances, displays more data per page (therefore less page swapping) and is fully approved for single engine aircraft. The EDM 900 is one of the most reliable aircraft instruments that you can have onboard. All its functions are TSO’d and STC’d as PRIMARY functions. The EDM 900 features hands-free, automatic scanning, all programming is done from the Front Panel, LeanFind™ technology finds the first and last cylinder to peak with true Peak detect eliminates false peaks. It also automatically calculates percent horsepower. For more information or buying options please visit: https://www.jpinstruments.com/product-category/single-engine-mgmt-systems/ Twin Engine Management Systems J.P. Instruments manufacturers the following models in twin engine management systems for aircraft: EDM 960 Twin, EDM 760, and EDM 790 The Engine Data Management EDM-960 is certified as a primary flight instrument. With this model on board your plane, you can safely remove many of your old engine gauges, and make your instrument panel less cluttered. The EDM 960 features one DAU per engine and you have only 2 wires to deal with. There is no need for any thermocouple wires in the wings! With the EDM 960 on board, pilots can fly with confidence as it acts as their full-time on-board flight engineer. Using the latest microprocessor technology, the EDM 760 will monitor up to 24 critical parameters in your aircraft engine and it does this 4 times a second. It features a linearized thermocouple accuracy of better than 0.1 percent or 2 F° which has been verified and tested by the FAA. TSO’d (Technical Standard Order). The EDM 790 features two buttons to address all the programming functions. As a pilot, you can accomplish leaning quickly and automatically using the LeanFind™ procedure. With the EDM 790, you now have substantially more diagnostic information available to you in a timely and usable manner. For more information or buying options please visit: https://www.jpinstruments.com/product-category/twin-engine-mgmt-systems/ Oftentimes, two or more products might have near identical specifications and you as a customer, are left wondering which model to purchase. This article is aimed at those trying to decide between Engine data monitor EDM 730 and the EDM 740. Although both Engine Data Monitors are manufactured by J.P. Instruments, USA, the EDM 740 is for experimental aircraft only. Engine data monitors provide the pilots and the aircraft maintenance crew with real time information for the aircraft. Both EDM 730 and EDM 740 constantly monitor the health of the aircraft engine and any anomalies are instantly brought to the pilot’s attention via audio-video alarms. EDM 730 From $1,839.00 to $3,024.00) Features: 1. Clear, Full-Colour Graphics 2. Easy to install. 3. Easy to programme 4. Easy-to-read data display 5. Annunciation of exceedances. 6. Displays more information per page. 7. Fully tested and approved. Package Form Factor: 1. Requires only 3-1/8" space 2. 4 mounting options. 3. Easy to adjust location. 4. Just 65mm depth 5. Easily upgradable from EDM 700 series JPI EDM’s. 6. Data download via USB port. 7. Pilot programmable parameters. 8. Horsepower display in percentage. 9. Just press button for Rich of peak or lean of peak operation. 10. Graphically display of RPM and manifold pressure. 11. Computerized fuel-flow system. 12. Fuel management can be linked to GPS. 13. EDM scanner function. 14. Display in portrait or landscape. 15. Ideal for 4/6/7/8/9-cylinder engines, 16. Turbocharged engines Optional 1. JPI Carb Temp Option 10-27103 2. JPI RPM Option 10-01720 3. JPI Oil Temp Option 10-27100 4. JPI Oil Pressure Option 10-04075 5. JPI OAT Option 10-27095 6. JPI Manifold Pressure 10-04512 7. JPI TIT Option 10-27090 More information here: https://www.jpinstruments.com/shop/edm-730-2/ EDM 740 From $2,879.00 to $4,973.00) Using the latest microprocessor technology and aimed at the experimental market, the EDM 740 will monitor several critical engine parameters three times a second. Features: 1. User-defined lower and upper limits for custom alarms. 2. Large and bright single-line display. 3. Easy LF button for accurate Lean Find. 4. Single press of LF button will display ROP and enter lean-find mode. 5. Engine-power calculator as standard on the EDM-740. 6. Faceplate mounted LDR (ambient light sensor) which in turn automatically adjusts the display intensity so that even cross-cockpit, the 740’s display is clear and legible right down to the smallest menu item. 7. Extremely fast response – no matter how your aircraft flies, the display indicates exactly what is happening in the engine. 8. Integral data logging for roughly 200 hours is standard on the EDM-740 (data is logged once every 6 seconds). Optional 1. TIT Probes Turbine Inlets Temp 2. F-P Fuel Pressure 3. CDT Compressor Discharge 4. AMP Current amps 5. CRB Carburetor Temp 6. L-Tank Fuel Quantity, level 7. R-Tank Fuel Quantity, level More information here: https://www.jpinstruments.com/shop/edm-740-experimental-only-3/ |
AuthorJ.P.Instruments was founded in 1986 in Huntington Beach, California, USA. Its founder, Joseph Polizzotto, is now the current CEO. Archives
May 2019
Categories
|