Engine Monitor

[GaryP1007]

What are the opinions relative to the best engine monitoring hardware on the market today for GA?  I have seen numerous advertisements for one type or another.  Some seem too busy or try to accomplish too many things while others may be too basic (but possibly do the trick?)....

 

Opinions please.

[Cruiser]

It's a personal thing. YMMV but by all means get one. It is a valuable piece of equipment for engine management.

[Bennett]

I suggest the JPI 830 unit - Very comprehensive, and truly useful.  Good value for the extensive readouts - CHT EGT (all cylinders) Fuel Flow in Gal/Hr, MPG, Fuel Used, Fuel Remaining, Fuel Requied to Next Destination/Waypoint,Voltage, OAT, Oil Temp, RPM, Manifold Presure, and more. Great for setting either ROP or LOP.

[KSMooniac]

Depends on a few factors like panel space, installed equipment, and budget.  I currently have a JPI EDM-700 with the fuel totalizer option and it connects to my GNS-530W.  I still have all of my original engine instruments as well since the -700 is not certified as a replacement for them.  I'm currently considering upgrading to the -830 version (especially if I add a turbo normalizer) but ultimately I would like to have the -900 or -930 as part of a full panel re-organization that would allow me to remove all of the old/original instruments.

With the release of the -830 instrument, there seem to be some -700 versions available used that make a great upgrade on a budget.  I think the -700 is a great bang-for-the-buck instrument and provides all of the information you need to manage your engine, provided you know what it tells you.  The format is perfectly adequate to give you the info, too.  I think EI has an equivalent instrument, but I have no experience with it.  There are some older monitors that don't have the resolution or functionality of the -700, and I would stay away from those.  (maybe some of the older GEM brands, perhaps, but I have no experience with them either)

If budget isn't the top concern, I'd look hard at the EDM-930 (or -900) or the EI MVP-50 and remove all of the old instruments.  They seem to be a great, modern solution that is reliable and a huge improvement over our old technology.  Otherwise, look at the -730/830 and the -700 in descending order, or the EI equivalents.  

Bottom line... I won't own a plane without one after learning and using one for 5 years now!

[Mooney65E]

Quote: Bennett

I suggest the JPI 830 unit - Very comprehensive, and truly useful.  Good value for the extensive readouts - CHT EGT (all cylinders) Fuel Flow in Gal/Hr, MPG, Fuel Used, Fuel Remaining, Fuel Requied to Next Destination/Waypoint,Voltage, OAT, Oil Temp, RPM, Manifold Presure, and more. Great for setting either ROP or LOP.

[scottfromiowa]

For my money (which was less than the "all in one" flatscreens) I replaced all OEM engine gauges, voltmeter and clock withe EI...and still could afford an Insight G3 that is primary for Cylinder and Exhaust AND gives me redundant probes on fuel flow, volts, MP, Tach, Oil temp...and outside air temp.  I couldn't be happier.

[jetdriven]

Ours in an ancient MPI engine montior. But believe it or not, it fills the needs of a 201 perfect.  All 4 CHT, EGT, and FF.  it even has an auto mode that shows the hottest CHT at all times. 

[dougmilam]

Really happy with my JPI 730.  It sure was nice to tell my mechanic that cylinder 3 was the problem when I needed a new gasket.  If I was doing an entire panel makover I would do a 930.  The new 900 is interesting but the display may be too small.  I was just adding an engine monitor into a plane that didn't have one, though.  Some of the 830 features are nice, but what I really wanted was continuous monitoring of all the EGT's and CHT's.  Fuel flow, fuel remaining, and fuel required to destination was installed, but really hasn't added much utility.  One nice feature of the 730/830/900/930 systems are the alarm presets. If a parameter, battery voltage for instance, goes outside of my preset values then that value enlarges on the screen and flashes.  I would be much more likely to detect the problem immediately than if a critical value was simply showing on a passive gauge.

[Wistarmo]

Extremely pleased with my JPI EDM-730.