Engine monitor RVators' review by Bob Collins
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| The Dynon has been a very popular EFIS and the engine monitor adds a new dimension. But it wasn't at the top of the list of many who answered the survey. |
The March 2007 issue of Kitplanes piqued my interest about an engine monitor for my RV-7A project. I know they existed but since I'm just now getting to my subpanel assembly and haven't even purchased an engine yet, I haven't given them all that much attention.
Cory Emberson provided a nice look at some of the bells and whistles of several possibilities, but left me wanting to know more. What features should I look for? How much does a total package cost? (A price comparison in KP was relatively useless since it compared products in which the price includes probes with products in which the price was without probes. What are the "got to haves"? What are the "nice to haves"?
I posted a message on the RV Yahoogroup with mixed results. The common answer seemed to be "it depends" to "figure it out for yourself." Granted there are the usual differences in missions from pilot to pilot and project to project, but one of the fun parts (at least for me) of building my airplane is the opportunity to meet other builders and find out how they like the choices they made. So I pressed on and put out a survey for people who are flying behind an engine monitor to review their choices. The results, too, were mised. I didn't get as many responses as I did for the transition training survey. But it's interesting nonetheless.
I also set up an online poll about what choice people made, with the options based on the Kitplanes article. The results are listed in the illustration below and this one surprised me a bit. I knew Grand Rapids was a highly-regarded engine monitor; I didn't know it was #1, at least among the 71 people who took the survey.
So, naturally, even though I checked the company out at Oshkosh a few years ago, I headed off to the company Web site to learn more. A lot of people favor these engine monitors for a number of reasons -- certainly, getting advanced word that something might be up with your fabulously expensive engine is one. But the ability to lean the engine in these times of high fuel prices seems almost as paramount. The Grand Rapids Web site provides a nice overview of leaning. Options include a fuel flow option using the FloScan fuel flow sensor, altimeter, VSI, and Airspeed. I like the fact it doesn't take up a lot of space in the panel. The $995 pricetag is definitely low-end among those surveyed.
I saw the Advanced Flight Systems unit at Oshkosh this year and was also impressed. I like, too, the fact that the inventor, Rob Hickman, is an RV guy. Advanced has a nice, full-bodied Web site, including a comparison that helps me understand -- at least a little bit -- what this unit can do that others can't, but it's only compared to Dynon. The product can be configured a an EFIS, an engine monitor, or a combination of the two, just as the Dynon can. I suppose doing so -- combining -- also saves panel space as well. Certainly worth considering. It also brings about a $5,000 pricetag. That doesn't include probes or sensors and there was no indication on the Web site how much those would add. I do like, though, that one of the dealers --Stein Air -- is in my neck of the woods.
So you see the problem for anyone looking at engine monitors. There's a fair number of choices and even choices within the choices. You have to really find out from others what they like -- and don't like -- about their choices. And so I did. Or at least I've started to... with the survey now presented here.
SURVEY RESULTS
RVator: Ron Lee
What engine monitor did you go with.
Rocky Mountain Engine Monitor
In your research, what did you determine to be your priorities?
NA
Have you been satisfied with it? If so, what features do you like best?
Yes. It provides all needed info in one compact instrument. The fuel remaining and fuel endurance values work very well with GPS Time to destination to help manage fuel or determine when to make a fuel stop.Having digital values instead of a needle in an arc is far superior IMO.
What do you like least about it?
It only monitors one cylinder for EGT/CHT although a rotary switch may allow all four to be monitored. It is not color.
What was your total cost?
Part of the plane as bought. Cost should be on the Rocky Mountain website.
Is there anything you would do differently?
If I were doing it from the start I would have to consider a unit that was in color and monitored all four cylinders although that desire is not enough to change what I have.
RVATOR: Walter Tondu
What engine monitor did you go with.
GRT EFIS/EIS 4000, dedicated Display Unit for Engine Mgmt.
In your research, what did you determine to be your priorities?
Wanted a full EFIS Panel including Eng. Monitor with (4) EGT, CHT capabilities, etc, which GRT was selling as a combined package. It was too good of a deal to pass and I expected that the wiring would be simpler since it was an integrated unit.
Have you been satisfied with it? If so, what features do you like best?
Love it! I like the ability to watch EGT for LOP. I like the ability to scale the "history" of engine parameters so I can watch for trends over different time periods. It's never failed and they continue to produce better and better software features.
What do you like least about it?
Display resolution could be better but it would not keep me from re- purchasing the same system, given the chance. The EIS 4000 is fugly in the panel. I need to get an overlay so it looks better, but it is light.
What was your total cost?
I believe it was under $15K, I have a three display setup with ARINC, Terrain and XM Weather.
Is there anything you would do differently?
No.
RVator: Leland Collins
What engine monitor did you go with.
EIS 4000
In your research, what did you determine to be your priorities?
Completeness of data and price
Have you been satisfied with it? If so, what features do you like> best?
Very satisfied. I like the alarm function and its presentation options.
What do you like least about it?
The faceplate, but Stein sells a replacement
What was your total cost?
Less than $1250 with the fuel flow option
Is there anything you would do differently?
Something that would get rid of stray fuel flow pulses when the electric fuel pump is on I would still consider buying the EIS 4000 over the more expensive systems that present no more information, even if they have prettier displays.
RVator: Carl Franz
What engine monitor did you go with.
Grand Rapids Technology EIS 4000, with manifold pressure as an added option.
In your research, what did you determine to be your priorities?
Price was a consideration, and considered the Vision Microsystem, but the leaning page available for the GRT was one of the deciding factors. The side benefit of being able to get all the cylinder temps and egts for a new engine were also contributers to the decision. The benefit of getting all the instrumentation in one package, along with the required probes and sensors for a lower price than steam gauges finished the choice. Of course, way back then... there weren't as many choices. However, the RV-10 we're currently building will have the GRT 6000 for engine monitoring. I've found that the warning lamp will advise me whenever any of the parameters are outside of MY preset limits. I like that!
Have you been satisfied with it? If so, what features do you like best?
On the positive side, the leaning function has been great for helping to save fuel. Even of greater importance today, since fuel prices have gone above $4/gal. Not having to monitor the gauges is also a plus, since I've allowed the alarm light warn me when things get out of whack.
The only problem I've experienced was with the fuel pressure sender. The standard one sent with the unit would not accurately report fuel pressure. My first flight was marred by four separate alarms from the EIS... first was an engine overspeed (2750 rpm when the prop governer was slow reacting for the constant speed prop), second was a cylinder temperature alarm( I'd set the alarm limit too low at 400 degrees, with a brand new engine- it got up to 450 degrees), third and fourth were low fuel pressure alarms. Turned out that the fuel pressure sender would not accurately report pressure when it dropped below 3psi. The more accurate (higher priced) sender cured that problem.
The support that you get from the folks at GRT is outstanding! A telephone call reaches real people, and they are usually able to answer users queries.
What do you like least about it?
One drawback to the system I've installed is the need to page thru the display to get specific info- this may have been helped by the multi-function display they have come out with.
What was your total cost?
Total cost of my system was around $1000, for the monitor and senders.
6. Knowing what I know now, I'd do it all the same the second time around.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Knowing what I know now, I'd do it all the same the second time around.
John Stiegelmeyer
I am using theGrand Rapids EIS supplied by Jan Eggenfellner to his specs. This was the only engine monitor available at the time. I am using it on his modified Subaru H6 engine. I am not sure if they are still using this monitor. Like all things sometimes customer service doesn't keep pace with growth. Although I must say Jan is still Jan - and I am satisfied with his service and advice. I am not flying yet, but have had the engine running a number of times. There are a few parameters that are not quite correct, such as fuel used, but this will be corrected by flight test.
RVator:
Dale Ensing
What engine monitor did you go with.
Rocky Mountain Instruments
In your research, what did you determine to be your priorities?
a.Readability
b.Featues
c.Price
Have you been satisfied with it? If so, what features do you like best?
Yes. Fuel flow/fuel computer. I like the way the RMI monitor fits into my radio stack
What do you like least about it?
Celsius temperate numbers but will soon be changing to F with new upgrade to unit.
What was your total cost?
$1,000 including probes. I built it from a kit.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Happy with decision made back in 1999 with what was available at the time. Today - If I decided to go with an EFIS instead of 6-pack of round gauges - Would probably go with a EMS from current available units on the market that would allow flip-flop with EFIS
RVator: Scott Diffenbaugh
What engine monitor did you go with.
ACS 2002, which is now called the AFS 2500
In your research, what did you determine to be your priorities?
Customer service, reliability, readability, features, size, ease of use, data capture
Have you been satisfied with it? If so, what features do you like> best?
Very good customer service, 45 hrs and no failures, pretty readable in sunlight although not as good as my MX20 MFD; user friendly; easy to custom configure and calibrate.
What do you like least about it?
CHT & EGT histograms definitely should be separated, not somewhat overlaid; IMHO, rear mounting is a major design flaw (unless you have lots of extra space to turn the unit sideways to remove it). It should be front panel mounted with a behind-the-panel double sided tape nutsert flange; The audio warning volume adjustment is a pot with a jeweler’s screwdriver slot that is accessed only from the rear which probably means removing the unit for most installations as I must. This should be made adjustable through the software calibration mode unless the unit is front removable. Data downloading requires hooking up your laptop each time, which is easy but a PITA—there should be a removable data storage card. User checklists are also a PITA to custom configure – so bad, I gave up and reverted to paper.
BTW, AFS has been open to all of my suggestions in previous discussions, in fact it appears their new 3000 series engine monitors only, i.e. w/o the EFIS, have resolved all of my concerns except possibly the rear mounting and separate CHT & EGT bar graphs. If you go with their EFIS, it appears the CHT & EGT have separate bar graphs. It also appears the new improved unit with sensors costs less than what I paid. I don’t think it would make any sense to buy the 2500 series even if it is still available.
What was your total cost?
$3,800
Is there anything you would do differently?
If I was starting fresh today, I would make a list of all of my desires, and see which company met the most of them, although customer service would be the major consideration. I would probably go with one of the AFS 3000 series.
Remember, this is one person’s opinion, and I have no experience with the competition, but I am learning reliability and customer service are paramount. You can adjust to the shortfalls if they are not serious. Overall I am satisfied. I think you need to do a comparison of the latest models available, so my input is probably of not much value except from the service and reliability standpoint.
RVator: Dan Checkoway
There's a factor you simply can't appreciate until you've flown
behind one of these screens, and it's: "how long does it take me to diagnose
the status of my engine?"
At one end of the spectrum is the single analog gauge with a 4-way switch.
Flippety flop, flippety flop, back and forth, compare and contrast. Time
wasted while the engine problem gets worse.
Then you've got the same, just digital...flippety flop...or scannety scan.
Time wasted, not intuitive enough (for me, given the alternatives).
Then you've got simultaneous full-time graphical + numerical display...enter
most of the contemporary engine monitors. Now it gets easier and much
faster to see & diagnose an issue. Even so, the playing field is not level.
Now we get down to the nuances of screen organization, how bright the screen
is in sunlight/night, where that pixel goes in that particular font. It
gets down to picking nits (pun intended), but I think *this* is where the
real human factors come into play.
Which display format best accommodates your brain? Which one is going to
make your *job* as PIC as easy as possible?
Very subjective. I picked the one that worked for me. I made the
choice...let's see...5 years ago. And guess what, even as other products
have evolved and new players came on the scene, I still think it's the most
robust display of any engine monitor in existence...at least for me
personally and the way my brain/eyes work.
Often when I take builders for rides, I talk about engine parameters. I'll
say something like, "oil pressure is lookin' good." It's a test of sorts,
to see how quickly the uninitiated can *find* it and call it out. It's
usually followed by an inquisitive response, making sure they're reading the
right parameter, but it comes very quickly. That is why I picked the engine
monitor I picked. You can FIND what you're looking for extremely quickly &
intuitively.
You definitely can't say that about all engine monitors. Some people say if
you have to get used to flying with the stick in your left hand, it only
takes a little while and it becomes natural. I don't want to have to TRAIN
my brain to read my engine monitor. I want it to be natural out of the box.
Again, that's why I made the choice I did.
RVATOR: Tim Bryan
What engine monitor did you go with.
Vision Microsystems
In your research, what did you determine to be your priorities?
Acceptability to the industry (mooney was using them in their production airplanes.
Also, monitored all cylinders and had nice graphical display. Appeared to have all the features one would want at the time I looked.
Have you been satisfied with it? If so, what features do you like best?
Yes, very satisfied however there are other more compelling units on the market today.
What do you like least about it?
Vision Microsystems Company. I cannot get support. My oil transducer was bad and after 4 plus months I have absolutely no effort on their part to replace it or even test it.
What was your total cost?
I purchased it from Chief Aircraft at the same time as my radio stack and all my instruments. The cost was $3,149.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Research the company to determine if they have great customer support.
I probably wouldn't install this unit the next time given the many other great choices.
Anything else?
I haven't installed other units so can't compare but I thought this install was reasonably straight forward and easy to do. They provided pretty much everything I needed to complete it. The system was complete.
Reading the gauge is easy and mostly intuitive. I often however forget which buttons do what function and there are no soft labels. It would be nice if there was more on screen instruction for usage.
I'll be happy to add your review to the list. Please send it to me at rvhotline@expercraft.com.
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