Fuel Tank Selection Indicator for Dynon Skyview

[c4c]

I was playing around this weekend and ended up creating a way to show the fuel selector valve position on my Dynon Skyview (i.e. Left Tank, Right Tank, Both Tanks, and OFF). 

I ended up using some rare earth magnets from Harbor Freight, two small "bullet-type" reed relays, couple resistors (1 - 11k and 1 - 22k), 2 - Plastic/Threaded (10-32) Stand-Offs from Ace Hardware, 22AWG wire, and some epoxy for the project.

Pictures are available via Google Photos if interested:

http://bit.ly/2e4emfp

I also did a mock up of the circuit wiring/diagram as a sanity check for the EMS input pin/setup (P9 + P5/GND). Expected voltages match up to what the Dynon's EMS pages show too.

http://bit.ly/2dreYL1

FYI - The circuit diagram has two switches -- these are the reed relays. Toggling the switches will show the voltages that end up on the sensor input of the Dynon Skyview EMS module. The 10k resistor is the integrated resistor on the EMS unit.

Also, if curious as why only two reed relays were used, I had to be creative as I couldn't drill any additional holes and had to use the existing screwed holes in place for the fuel tank/valve selector. Ultimately, two worked out perfectly for showing all 4 states (i.e. Right, Left, Both, and Off).

I also set an alarm condition so if I ever accidentally leave the fuel selector in the off position, I'll get an alarm. Not that I've ever done that before!  :

Don Honabach

 

[lgabriel]

Wow, this is pretty slick!

Thank you for sharing the details of your project. Very nice.

 

[Garrett]

Nice

 

[rfazio1951]

Very nice Don. Something I would have never thought of doing. But a real nice feature.

 

[c4c]

Thanks Everyone!

It was a fun project. FYI. My fuel tank selector is actually in-between my legs and integrated into the spar cap. It can't be seen when seated in the plane but has easy access. I installed it there because the only other option was a center console that would prevent stretching my legs during long flights (which I do often when flying cross country).

For me, I've never had a problem because the arrow always points to the tank in use. It also requires pulling out the spring loaded 'button' to turn off fuel tank selector valve. In short, as long as you have decent "finger vision", it works.

That said, a good friend mentioned to me the other day that he thought it could be a safety issue and questioned my placement. So the indicator was born.

Now if I could only get Dynon to use the input as a timer reset for the fuel tank reminder caution/warning setup. Something that would reset the timer/reminder warning after seeing the tank had been switched. If it could automatically clear the caution as well after seeing the tank had been switched. That would be really cool!!! REALLY REALLY COOL. Dynon???

Don Honabach
N601DX