Retaining Standard Gauges

[Rick]

The kit that I am building is ready for the electrical system and avionics. I would like to install the FlightDEK-D180, but I have a question. I would prefer to retain the standard engine instruments as furnished with the kit. Since the engine does not have multiple sensor ports, is it possible to use the same sensors for the Dynon unit and the standard instruments? The engine is the Superior XP360.

 

[dynonsupport]

Rick,
Most engine sensors can't be monitored by two instruments. Almost all engine sensors are resistive, which means the measuring instrument puts power into the sensor to measure the resistance. If you hook up two devices, they will both power the sensor and both will read incorrect values.

You can usually hook up tachometers to two instruments, and some things like fuel flow sensors, fuel level sensors, and MAP sensors may also be able to be doubled up, but if one instrument fails, you'll often loose the reading on the other instrument as well since one instrument will be the power source for these sensors.