Gyroplane Application

[Bob McGuie(Guest)]

I have build a gyroplane with a 2.2 liter, 4 cylinder fuel injected Subaru engine. Will your engine monitoring system work with this engine. Since the engine is fuel injected there is a return line to the tank for the fuel. Would you put a fuel flow sensor on this line as well to accurately monitor the fuel flow. Let me know.

Bob

 

[dynonsupport]

Bob,
While most of our functions will work with an automotive engine, including water temperature and pressure, we do not currently support dual fuel flow senders, so we will not be able to measure the fuel flow in a return line system. It may be something we can add in the future via software, but we do not support it now.

 

[Bob McGuire(Guest)]

Thanks for the quick answers. I have a few more questions. You stated that MOST of your functions would work with an automotive engine. Other than the fuel flow, what other functions would not work with an automotive engine. Also, do you have any idea when you might provide software for a second fuel flow sensor to provide as accurate indication of fuel flow.

Thanks,

Bob

 

[dynonsupport]

Bob,
I'd need to know exactly what you wanted to monitor in order to tell you what may or may not work. We can do EGT, CHT, oil pressure, oil temp, water pressure, water temp, fuel pressure, voltage, current, outside air temp, manifold pressure (up to 2 bar), RPM, and fuel flow. The only one I see being any problem is fuel flow.

We don't have any current plans to add the dual fuel flow to the software. If we add it in the future, it could be quite a while unless we get a lot of interest.

 

[dynonsupport]

Thanks again for the quick answers. Being a bit of a novice at this I do have several additional questions:

- How and where do you locate the cylinder head temperature sensors? Does iinstallation require a considerable engine modification?
- How and where do you locate tje EGT sensors? Are they difficult to install?
- How and where do you locate the manifold pressure sensor? Would it be of use to me with a fixed prop?
- Will the standard sensors provided with your unit work on the Subaru engine?
- Is there an installation manual I can download prior to purchase so I can determine if your units are suitable for my application?

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,
We only currently support Lycoming engines. We don't have specific sensors for automotive engines, and this could make them somewhat difficult to install. Each engine has special locations for each kind of sensor and this is even harder on automotive engines that don't expect EGT's or CHT's from the factory.

I think you might have more luck with a system designed directly for this Subaru engine, at least until our software and sensor packages are more directed at the automotive conversion market.

 

[Bob McGuire(Guest)]

Thanks for the info, but I really like the design of your units. I plan on purchasing your EFIS and would like the EMS to complement it. Do you have any plans to adapt your system to automotive engines? Also, there is no reason why I couldn't adapt the unit myself is there? Let me know.

Bob

 

[meljordan]

Actually, I think it would be quite feasible to make the adaptation to a Subie. For the CHT you would want to use the ring type of thermocouples that go under the spark plugs in place of the normal gasket and for the EGT, it is the same as the Lyc, where you would need to drill a hole in the exhaust stack about 2 inches below the exhaust port. These would be pretty simple adaptations. Manifold pressure is not really needed for a fixed pitch prop application, but all it takes is a small port and 1/4" hose off the intake manifold anyplace after the throttle body. The other sensors that would need to be engineered are the Oil temp and Oil Pressure, not knowing the Subie engine, I don't know if the Dynon sensors would adapt to that or not. There are several Subaru aviation chat groups on the web, perhaps you could find one of those and get better advice on how to do this, but I know that there are a number of experimentals flying with Subie engines that are using aircraft engine monitors. Try the Yahoo group "subaruaircraft" for a start.

Given that the guys at Dynon don't have any Subaru experience, I know that they are reluctant to provide any advice here, but really this shouldn't be too big a deal compared to the rest of the issues converting an Auto engine for aircraft use.

Best Regards,
Mel Jordan

 

[dynonsupport]

Mel,
Thanks for the words of advice. I agree that there is no reason that the EMS wouldn't work with a Subaru engine. It will just require some custom work, since we haven't done it yet, and we don't sell the specific sensors. The EGT sensors we sell are band clamp type sensors and should work on any exhaust. Any J-type thermocouple will work on our CHT inputs, so if you can find spark plug ring thermocouples that fit the Subaru head, that will work fine. Mounting our other sensors can be done, it will just require some custom work, but as you say, this is the nature of putting an automotive engine in an aircraft.

Also, I didn't answer one question asked before: All of our installation and user's guides are availible on our website. Just go to http://www.dynonavionics.com and look on the left. Under "support" there are documentation links for each of our products.

 

[Bob McGuire(Guest)]

Guys:

Thank you for all your GREAT advice. I'm planning on totally reworking the panel of my gyroplane and I do want more throrough monitoring of the engine. I think the EMS-D10 would be a good choice. I'm sure I can work out the installation problems.

Once again, thanks for all the help and good advice.


Bob McGuire

 

[George Harris(Guest)]

I would think that as long as you put the fuel flow sender after the fuel pressure regulator in your fuel system, that the fuel flow would be accurate. As long as the sensor could take the pressure of the injection pump, which varies in automotive applications, but is usually around 45 PSI or so.

In other words, the return is behind the fuel flow sender, so it is only measuring what the engine is using, not the bypassed fuel also. So two senders not needed.

-GH