CO Guardian

[swatson999]

I see on the CO Guardian website that they claim

"The 353N-201 is specifically designed to integrate with and report on the Dynon SkyView line of PFD and MFD displays for homebuilt aircraft. Both alerts and CO levels can be displayed."

Is this true? Has anyone done this? This is a remote CO detector, and I would really like to install one if it works seamlessly with Skyview...

 

[Garrett]

Me 2

 

[mrdaud]

I have had the CO Guardian installed in my plane for several years (original panel build), but really didn't see a need to interface with my Dynon.  I just use it as a normally passive panel mount warning device.  My feeling is you are just cluttering up your screen with duplicate data (alert and warning levels) you already get with the CO unit.   Of course, just my opinion on needing RS-232 input to Dynon  .  Also, be aware there is a pretty steep recalibration fee (cost depends on model) recommended every 5 years (required 7 years).  But, for the cost, a good thing to have in the cockpit.

 

[swatson999]

I have had the CO Guardian installed in my plane for several years (original panel build), but really didn't see a need to interface with my Dynon.  I just use it as a normally passive panel mount warning device.  My feeling is you are just cluttering up your screen with duplicate data (alert and warning levels) you already get with the CO unit.   Of course, just my opinion on needing RS-232 input to Dynon  .  Also, be aware there is a pretty steep recalibration fee (cost depends on model) recommended every 5 years (required 7 years).  But, for the cost, a good thing to have in the cockpit.

The point of connecting the *remote* unit is to *not* clutter up the panel...use the EFIS screen to display alerts and/or test/reset. No additional panel or buttons on instrument panel. Much like the remote XPDR or the remote COM.

 

[mrdaud]

No, per the install manual you still have to install an annunciator light and test button on the panel even if using the remote mount, so there is no assumption, base on available information, a test button and annunciator light would be assignable through the RS-232.  The audible alarm remains within the remote unit, but is supposed to be loud enough to hear even if it is mounted behind the panel.  I was really just trying to point out that there is still good reason to purchase one, regardless of EFIS options.  Unless you don't have the panel space, but it really doesn't take up much room, only 2 1/4" x 1 1/2".

 

[Garrett]

Does that rule really apply to experimental?

 

[swatson999]

No, it doesn't apply to E/AB, and second...

From the manual itself:

Note: see MFG MFD installation manual if TEST/RESET and the amber ALERT annunicator unit will not be installed and the data will be displayed thru the RS232 interface with MFD.

(Emphasis added)

and

15.0 RS-232 DATA BUSS OPTION
The RS-232 Data Buss option is currently available on numerous MFD units. The RS- 232 data buss output will couple CO Detector status information to electronic display systems with RS-232 input capability.
See Multi-Function display manufacturers Installation Manual for interface guidance. The CO ALERT can be reset through the RS-232 interface provided the Multi-Function system contains the reset capability.

 

[swatson999]

Guardian website:

How It Displays on Dynon SkyView
The 353N can display either Carbon Monoxide levels (in Parts Per Million) on the display or a simple icon (green dot for 'clear') in the lower right side of the display.

 

[mrdaud]

Steve - not trying to be disagreeable, but my take is that it is unclear from any CO Guardian information that you can reset from the EFIS. I can interpret it to read that the the EFIS data can be reset through the RS232, but it is not clear that the reset is on the EFIS. The example Dynon screen does not show any reset button that I can see. I just see the information as being a bit ambiguous, that's all. I should have really kept quiet and just let Dynon answer your question directly . Again, my real point is that if you have the 2" space on your panel, and that if you really can't do everything on the EFIS, you should still buy the product as it is a really good safety instrument for the money. I would really like to see what Dynon has to say. I'll be quiet now!

 

[swatson999]

No worries...yes, their documentation is a bit on the thin side, but they do imply that you don't need the test/reset/indicator *IF* your MFD (EFIS) supports those functions.  I imagine it's simply a matter of sending the right commands over the RS-232, since it has both in and out.

It does say, straight up, though: "The CO ALERT can be reset through the RS-232 interface provided the Multi-Function system contains the reset capability."  (It doesn't actually say anything about TEST, but like I said, if you can do one, I'm pretty sure you can do the other).

The biggest question is...does Dynon support this box?  If not, how'd they get the *actual* PPM values to display? And why are they selling it as *specifically* for Dynon Skyview systems?

 

[swatson999]

We do not officially support the CO Guardian, although it can be used through one of the general purpose serial ports. Some reasons are:1) CO Guardian was able to do it on their own, 2) SkyView is starting to run out of serial ports, so we didn't want to officially support something that not everyone could use, and 3) SkyView is an an E-AB product and we want to give builders some fun in setting up their own panels.

Those are all good reasons, I supposed, but...

HOW were they able to do it on their own? And does it include sending test/reset commands to their box?
Some of us still have plenty of serial ports available
Fun is one thing, but this is actually something that could save lives...

If it's *easy* to gin up some sort of script or something, I'm all ears...and I don't mind who tells me, CO Guardian or Dynon. But let's not keep it a secret...

 

[Garrett]

Just saying I think it belongs on the EFIS if ya have one.

 

[swatson999]

I put in a support question to Guardian to ask them more info on this...we'll see what they say.

I do think Dynon should support this if it's a simple serial connection and some configuration stuff...can't be that hard, although the UI might be a bit of a complication (how to test/rest). Other than that, the actual data from the box could easily be used on either a "button" style w/ PPM, or driving an EGT/CHT-like widget.

 

[dynonsupport]

To be clear: CO Guardian does work with SkyView.  We worked together with them to make sure they have the right configuration files. Right now you have to get the config file from CO Guardian, but a future SkyView release will have that file included. 

These are the links to their products which work with SkyView:
https://www.guardianavionics.com/gu...ector-experimental-aircraft-for-dynon-skyview

https://www.guardianavionics.com/gu...ector-experimental-aircraft-for-dynon-skyview

For support, CO Guardian's contact page is:
https://www.guardianavionics.com/crm.asp?action=contactus

 

[swatson999]

To be clear: CO Guardian does work with SkyView.  We worked together with them to make sure they have the right configuration files. Right now you have to get the config file from CO Guardian, but a future SkyView release will have that file included. 

These are the links to their products which work with SkyView:
https://www.guardianavionics.com/gu...ector-experimental-aircraft-for-dynon-skyview

https://www.guardianavionics.com/gu...ector-experimental-aircraft-for-dynon-skyview

For support, CO Guardian's contact page is:
https://www.guardianavionics.com/crm.asp?action=contactus

That's great...but can you define what "work" means? Is it *just* displaying the data, or does iti include the test/reset capability as well?

No need to be cagey ....just let us know what it does and doesn't do.

 

[dynonsupport]

We're not experts on what it does or doesn't do, CO Guardian knows that best. It's an analog connection to SkyView, not serial, it doesn't do anything besides display data and errors.

https://www.guardianavionics.com/gu...ector-experimental-aircraft-for-dynon-skyview

 

[mrdaud]

I'm sooooo confused! :-/ COG states their data output is twisted-pair RS232 to a MFD, and the wiring diagram shows pins 7 & 8 being TX/RX serial. I'm glad we finally got this cleared up!

 

[swatson999]

Well, nearly a week and no response to my query to CO Guardian via their website.

Hmph. Not what I would consider good customer service...what is it with some of these companies? Seemed like a simple question.

Guess they don't want to answer. I'll stick with my little portable CO detector for now. Sigh.

 

[ash_vij]

Dear Forum:

1st, I want to personally apologize for not responding to your above forums request and your calls to tech support. 

Basically 353P-201 is our Remote CO Detector that works with all units that can receive RS232 like AFD systems and other competitors except Dynon systems as they have very limited RS232 inputs.

353N-201 is our Remote CO Detector that puts out 0-5V as an output in addition to RS232.   The 0-5V is similar to a CHT, EGT, OAT...etc.  Dynon has updated there manual to accept our 0-5Volt as an option.

Not sure what other questions I can answer but I will be monitoring the Forum.

Sincerely

Ash Vij
President

 

[swatson999]

Two questions that I thought were obvious from the thread:

1. Can you activate the Test/Reset function from SV?
2. What settings or configuration file changes are used to actually set up SV to display what your advertising shows (i.e., the data coming over the RS-232 lines)?