Decision Point - Engine Monitors

[Marauder]

I believe, installing the newer Gem in place of the older version may have a small challenge, the new instrument "can" is shorter and several wires may come up short during installation.Best regards,-a-Anthony makes a good point with the size of the new unit. In upgrading from a Gem 610 to a G2 I had to purchase a new 8' harness which I complained about. I think that has been resolved as the web site now shows that the "new upgrade" includes a new 8' harness but without the probes. In addition the probe analysis saved me countless hours of troubleshooting as it immediately showed which probe had a loose connection when we tested the installation. That feature also allows for replacement of a probe as it nears the end of its usefull life as it is constanly monitored.

I'm still going back and forth on which to pick. My 602 probes have been rock solid since I installed them in 1993. So, the obvious question is "for how much longer?". As I mentioned above, I did the install of the existing unit under IA supervision. I made the cable from the probes longer than needed because I was planning on moving them at some point. So, if I stay with the G4, I'm good to go. Where I am stuck is whether or not I will have problems with the throttle blocking a portion of view to the instrument. I'm taking 601RX's layout diagram to the airport today to see if it will be blocked. The other option is to lower the altimeter to lower hole and use the upper one, Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Marauder]

For those of you who own the JPI series, have you had any problems with the unit? I watched a couple of YouTube videos of people showing display issues. Also found a few comments about probe quality. Are you seeing any of these issues? T

[fantom]

My JPI 700 has been issue free since 1994. About 5 years ago I had the software upgraded and I replaced several probes as a precaution. I've been ready to move up to the smaller version of the 930; the 900, but it's the cost of the total panel redo, with adding other 'nice stuff' that holds me back. Damn you guys posting total glass panel upgrades ... That I don't 'need'

[Bob_Belville]

 

 

For those of you who own the JPI series, have you had any problems with the unit? I watched a couple of YouTube videos of people showing display issues. Also found a few comments about probe quality. Are you seeing any of these issues? T

I had a 450 that had been it the plane for a decade without a hiccup. I now have a 930 which has been performed great since I got the plane back 3 months ago. I would add that the avionics shop says EGT probes in particular should be replaced very few hundred hours, 3 maybe?, because of the high temp corrosive environment in which they operate. They admit few owners do that but one should expect accuracy issues with old probes.

[Bennett]

Never had a problem with JPI probes for my 830.

[Marauder]

Houston -- we have a problem! Darn, just when I was getting all excited about the possibility of upgrading my engine monitor, reality has to set in. Take a look at these pictures.

 

601RX sent me the installation template. I cut out the forms and took them to the airport. The first picture is with the throttle in the full forward position.

 

The second picture is the clearance between the throttle and the cutout. If this unit sticks 3/8" out from the panel, it will be close -- too close.

 

The third picture is showing it if I moved it to the upper hole (would require dropping the altimeter down).

 

Any suggestions?

 

 

[Marauder]

I had a 450 that had been it the plane for a decade without a hiccup. I now have a 930 which has been performed great since I got the plane back 3 months ago. I would add that the avionics shop says EGT probes in particular should be replaced very few hundred hours, 3 maybe?, because of the high temp corrosive environment in which they operate. They admit few owners do that but one should expect accuracy issues with old probes.

 

 

Never had a problem with JPI probes for my 830.

 

 

My JPI 700 has been issue free since 1994. About 5 years ago I had the software upgraded and I replaced several probes as a precaution. I've been ready to move up to the smaller version of the 930; the 900, but it's the cost of the total panel redo, with adding other 'nice stuff' that holds me back. Damn you guys posting total glass panel upgrades ... That I don't 'need'

 

Thanks for the feedback on the reliability. At least that shouldn't be a concern.

[KSMooniac]

My EDM-700 has been nearly flawless since the first owner installed it ~2005.  A few segments of the display were failing when I bought the plane in 2007, and JPI fixed it under warranty for me even though I was not the original owner.  I too am angling towards a -900 upgrade coincident with a panel refresh to mainly rearrange things a bit, switch to a modern light-colored panel, and delete the original engine instruments.  I might talk myself into an Aspen or Sandel as well...we'll see.

 

My EDM-700 sits in the lower right section of the pilot panel, right where Marauder wants his new one to go.  My '77 J has the ****ing throttle quadrant, and it obscures that location for the -900, but it isn't a problem for the -700 with a smaller form factor and flush mount.  This is one reason I'm switching to a later model console with push-pull engine controls to get around the problem as I think that location is *perfect* for an engine monitor and I'm unwilling to put it elsewhere.

 

[jlunseth]

I have about 500 hours or so with my 930 and have had zero problems except for the lack of accuracy of the fuel senders, which are the factory senders.  That is not the JPI's fault.  I had a line guy hit the 930 with 24 volts (I have a 12 volt system) and it did not flinch.  The only issue is that it makes the engine readouts entirely electronic, so if you have a reason to shut the master off in flight you will have no engine readouts, not even the little RAD aux unit will lite up.  I had that pleasure last summer (alt. failure).  I just set the engine up for stable cruise before I shut the power down, and landed as soon as practicable.

[Marauder]

My EDM-700 has been nearly flawless since the first owner installed it ~2005. A few segments of the display were failing when I bought the plane in 2007, and JPI fixed it under warranty for me even though I was not the original owner. I too am angling towards a -900 upgrade coincident with a panel refresh to mainly rearrange things a bit, switch to a modern light-colored panel, and delete the original engine instruments. I might talk myself into an Aspen or Sandel as well...we'll see. My EDM-700 sits in the lower right section of the pilot panel, right where Marauder wants his new one to go. My '77 J has the ****ing throttle quadrant, and it obscures that location for the -900, but it isn't a problem for the -700 with a smaller form factor and flush mount. This is one reason I'm switching to a later model console with push-pull engine controls to get around the problem as I think that location is *perfect* for an engine monitor and I'm unwilling to put it elsewhere.

So tell me more how to go about a console switchover... I know you picked up a parts plane so I am guessing that is where you got the controls from. Is it a pain to make the conversion legal? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Marauder]

Another option I might have is to toss my future plans for a 750 and use the space above the 650 for the JPI. What do you think? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[KSMooniac]

Could you move the STEC over to the right side and open more space for a horizontal orientation of the -900? Regarding the console switch...ask me in a few months! the engine controls in my salvage plane were damaged, so I need to get some more. But otherwise, it should be straight forward on a 337 since it involves factory parts from the same model. Ditto for the rear seats I want to transplant. I'm sure it will just take a few hours of my spare time.... /famous last words! Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

[Marauder]

Could you move the STEC over to the right side and open more space for a horizontal orientation of the -900? Regarding the console switch...ask me in a few months! the engine controls in my salvage plane were damaged, so I need to get some more. But otherwise, it should be straight forward on a 337 since it involves factory parts from the same model. Ditto for the rear seats I want to transplant. I'm sure it will just take a few hours of my spare time.... /famous last words! Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

If it weren't for the rocker switches, the STEC move might have worked. The JPI unit extends a inch offset from the hole. In this case down. Keep me posted on the control mod! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[KSMooniac]

The JPI can be positioned horizontally with the offset going either left or right. I'll definitely make a post about the swap when I get it done! Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

[Marauder]

The JPI can be positioned horizontally with the offset going either left or right. I'll definitely make a post about the swap when I get it done! Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

Good suggestion. With Aspen just west of the STEC controller, the only way I could orient it would with long side pointing east. That then overlaps the moved STEC. I'm thinking center stack is my best shot at this point. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Bob_Belville]

My JPI 930 is flush mounted above the co-pilot yoke. The unit is pretty shallow.