Engine Monitor- Suggestions?? 1970 Mooney M20E

[N9405V]

I am starting the planning to install an engine monitor.  I'm probably a year out and will do the install at the next annual in January 2016, but trying to get my ducks in a row to budget for cost.  This is my second in line project, first is replacing the shock discs this summer.  I've attached a couple of pictures of my current panel.  I don't have a good picture of the co-pilot side panel, will take one this evening and post it.  Right now I have a digital tach and single probe CHT and EGT.

[orionflt]

the quickest and cheapest monitor to install would be the CGR 30. it could go where your RPM gauge is and you would not have to modify the panel. some of you other choices will require you to make mods to the panel or do not qualify as primary instruments.

 

Brian

[Bob_Belville]

It looks like you might be able to fit a JPI EDM 930. This is a '66E: With a 930 you can lose the MAP/FP gauge,the tach, and the cluster at the top.

 

http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/33689-dec-2013-new-panel/

[Ron McBride]

If you want to go less, I have a FS450 and an EDM 700 in my 69F.  See my pictures at N9154V on Mooneyspace.

 

Ron

[N601RX]

I have the 930 and like it. It fits the standard 3-1/8 round hole. You can save around $500 on these if purchased during Sun In Fun or Oshkosh.

[MooneyPTG]

http://www.insightavionics.com/g1.htm

I am very happy with this monitor. Easy install

[FloridaMan]

I ordered an EDM900; it goes in next week. It replaced ALL of your primary instruments and cost me $3100 with an instant rebate. I'd keep my eyes open for Sun N Fun specials as well. 

[N9405V]

Why do I feel like this is the start if a slippery slope to add cool gadgets to my panel. I like the edm900 price. It might be able to go below the second vor head.

[Andy95W]

Less expensive option is JPI EDM-700. Excellent unit, very "upgradeable" with other options like OAT, oil temp/pressure, Fuel Flow, etc.

[rbridges]

you have a 650, so you're obviously not afraid to spend money.      Personally, I would go with something that can be primary if I could swing the cost.  I have a UBG16, so I can't justify the expense right now.  If I had nothing, I'd pick something nicer.

[N601RX]

I paid $2895 last spring for the 900. After selling the original gauges the price difference between it and a 830 was less than $100. Otherwise you still have to keep the original gauges functional which may cost additional money over the next few years while the jpi has a 3 year warranty. You will also get fuel gauges that are reasonably accurate.

[Bob_Belville]

I paid $2895 last spring for the 900. After selling the original gauges the price difference between it and a 830 was less than $100. Otherwise you still have to keep the original gauges functional which may cost additional money over the next few years while the jpi has a 3 year warranty. You will also get fuel gauges that are reasonably accurate.

The fuel gauge read out is more precise but no more accurate. The float and transducer are the same. But the fuel flow is very accurate. Keeping track of how much you've used from each tank as you switch tanks will give you a very accurate picture of what fuel remains in each tank. 

[N601RX]

I'm not sure about others, but jpi uses a 5 point user defined calibration that adjust for the inaccuries. You basically put a know amount of fuel in the tank and then tell it how much you put. Then repeat for the other 4 points.

Yes fuel flow is still more accurate

[FloridaMan]

I should also add that the driving factors in my purchase included the following:

 

* Getting the oil and fuel line out of my firewall

* If one of the more critical factory gauges failed, it could ground me while I sourced one or got it fixed. With the JPI, I would expect to be able to get a new sensor/indicator overnight

* I had a clogged injector that gave symptoms intermittently until the engine tried to stumble on me on take-off, the EDM-900 EGT would have indicated that to me immediately. 

* I think it's kindof cool that the JPI has a remote light that goes right in front of you that will illuminate if something's wrong so if you neglect the instrument in your scan, you can get immediate notification. From what others have told me of their experiences, you may get a couple minutes before engine failure if you lose oil pressure. Knowing immediately could help you land safely. 

[Bob_Belville]

I should also add that the driving factors in my purchase included the following:

 

* Getting the oil and fuel line out of my firewall

* If one of the more critical factory gauges failed, it could ground me while I sourced one or got it fixed. With the JPI, I would expect to be able to get a new sensor/indicator overnight

* I had a clogged injector that gave symptoms intermittently until the engine tried to stumble on me on take-off, the EDM-900 EGT would have indicated that to me immediately. 

* I think it's kindof cool that the JPI has a remote light that goes right in front of you that will illuminate if something's wrong so if you neglect the instrument in your scan, you can get immediate notification. From what others have told me of their experiences, you may get a couple minutes before engine failure if you lose oil pressure. Knowing immediately could help you land safely. 

All true and important. The EDM930 includes a RAD (remote alarm display?) that default to RPM and MAP but flashes alerts/alarms right in front of you. 

[Bob_Belville]

I'm not sure about others, but jpi uses a 5 point user defined calibration that adjust for the inaccuries. You basically put a know amount of fuel in the tank and then tell it how much you put. Then repeat for the other 4 points.

Yes fuel flow is still more accurate

I am not familiar with how to do that calibration for my 930... ?

[N9405V]

you have a 650, so you're obviously not afraid to spend money. Personally, I would go with something that can be primary if I could swing the cost. I have a UBG16, so I can't justify the expense right now. If I had nothing, I'd pick something nicer.

Fortunately, the plane came with the GTN650.

I like all of these options, plus getting oil and fuel lines out of the cabin is a huge plus.

[N601RX]

I am not familiar with how to do that calibration for my 930... ?

Bob,

The procedure is in the install manual. It will not display fuel until it has been done, but the points you choose are up to you. I chose empty, full and 1/4 tank increments. If I remember correctly empty and full are required points, and the other 3 can be chosen.

[1964-M20E]

I just received the Insight G2 for my F model.  I will start installation in a few weeks.  Takes care of  EGT, CHT OAT and fuel flow and totalizator if you by the transducer.  Cost about $2100.  If you want to spend more you can get the G3 which will do much more oil press, temp, MP etc all in what sensors you want to buy.

[gsxrpilot]

If you're on the low cost end, you just can't beat the IA G2. It's hands down better than the UBG16 or the EDM700 for the same price. You'll get much more functionality with a better display and the most up to date data logging anywhere.

[Tommy]

I have gone with the cheapest option EDM-700 because all I need to know that none of my existing instruments tells me is the EGT and CHT of all other 3 cylinders plus Fuel Flow and Actual Bus Voltage. You can get all these information on one pretty fancy looking display with a much more expen$ive engine monitor but they don't really give you any more additional information. So in the end, you are paying for the convenience and that one pretty fancy looking display!

[Andy95W]

I have gone with the cheapest option EDM-700 because all I need to know that all my other existing instruments don't tell me is the EGT and CHT of all other 3 cylinders plus fuel flow. You can get all the bells and whistles from much more expensive engine monitors but they don't give you any more additional information.

+1

Cheap Bastard for life!

[HRM]

EI MVP-50. Why stop at just engine monitoring? This thing does HP, flight logging, GPS waypoint logging, checklists, OAT, LOP, ROP, etc., etc., etc.

 

It also logs everything and has a USB port on the front. DL your data and then UL to Savvyanalysis.com for free data display, including flight map.

 

[Piloto]

I have gone with the cheapest option EDM-700 because all I need to know that none of my existing instruments tells me is the EGT and CHT of all other 3 cylinders plus Fuel Flow and Actual Bus Voltage. You can get all these information on one pretty fancy looking display with a much more expen$ive engine monitor but they don't really give you any more additional information. So in the end, you are paying for the convenience and that one pretty fancy looking display!

 

I did exactly the same thing for the same reasons. On the M20J and later models the engine instruments are right in front of the pilot. Easy to read and alert you. But on the earlier models they are on the right side and harder to read. So for some it may make sense to opt. for the whole enchilada monitor. 

 

I have an EI UBG-16  with voltage, fuel flow and OAT options. Easy to read. I am very happy with it.

 

José

[Chimpanzee]

Quite happy with my Insight G1 (absolute basic). However the smaller version that I have is a little hard to read from the left seat when mounted on the right. Would go for the 3 1/8 inch version if I were to do it again. Oh, and forget the highly touted auto - lean function, might work with injectors, but not with my naturally aspirated banger.

cheers