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Hi David,
Thanks for asking. I have just finished a
contraption that will permit me to "print" solder paste on a PC board
designed around Surface Mount Components (read smaller than the eye can see -
almost).
If it works, then I can simply swipe solder paste on
a stencil which has holes for all the pads. Then put these SM components
on the pads and slap it in an oven and bake for about 3-4 minutes and (if all
goes well) you have a completely soldered board (well, 90% - still have to put
connectors in manually - but at least those I can see.
That plus the swap out of the old black/green LCD
display for a brilliant OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) colored graphic
display (and resulting software rewrite) along with a added function of being
able to read/write to Tracy's EC2 is just about complete. Yes, this means a new
PC board design - but, already have that done. Just need to
paste, cook and test it.
I go out this week to buy new "soldering iron" its
called a "reflow oven" - commercial versions cost thousands of $$, but for
my needs a toaster convection oven will do. Much cheaper at Wal_Mark or
Target.
Two Different Instruments
I decided to come up with two versions.
Simple/Inexpensive
One is a simply Fuel Flow and Air/Fuel ratio (LED)
indicator in a package small enough to fit in the 2 1/4" instrument hole.
But, that is all the information it will provide - Fuel Flow and Air/Fuel
Ratio. This will be the cheaper version. This will have a 10 segment
LED bargraph for the Air/Fuel Ratio and a 3.5 digit LCD readout for the Fuel
Flow.
The two Displays on this simplified one will be
mounted with a black plastic cover (probably ABS) and be designed so you could
mount it in a 2 1/4" instrument hole - but there will be no case around
it. Or you could simply mount it in a plastic box and hang it from an
knob.
Full Featured /less inexpensive
{:>)
The full-up EFI System Monitor will provide on the
colored display the following:
1. Fuel Flow (GPH)
2. Fuel Used
3. Fuel Remaining
4. Time Remaining (at current burn
rate)
5. RPM
6. Power (Calculated based on fuel flow
rate)
7. Switch Tank Alarm
8. Low Fuel Alarm
9. Air/Fuel Ratio Indicator
10. Semi-Automatic Self Calibration of system to
your injectors
11. O2 Voltage and Adjustment
Capability
12. Ec2 Interface - this will include
a. Function to obtain
the Fuel Map and Engine parameters from the EC2
b. Capability to See
and Adjust the EC2 Fuel Map (only one bin at a time - no mass
change)
c. Capability to See
and Adjust the ignition Timing
These are the only two EC2
functions that I intend to ever provide. The rest of the EC2 modes
will require the normal EC2 program button adjustment procedures.
The fuel map will be
displayed as a bar graph
The Ignition display will
show you the number of degrees and whether in
"Advance"or "Retarded". You will be
able to adjust this parameter.
So far, I have the new OLED display working on my
development board and the color capability really enhances the information
display. I have the new board for the new display, but need to get my oven
before I can get one completed and working.
My intentions at this time is to offer a limited number
with your money back -if you are not satisfied. No, haven't arrived
at a price at this point on either one. Once I get everything working then
I need to see where I can cut costs. For the full feature version my price
target is around the cost of an aircraft fuel -flow transducer component
or slightly more. It will just depend on the final costs.
One of the items that you often don't think about but
which takes almost as much effort and appreciable cost is control
panel/instrument case - cost more than you might think.
But, Time line is to have both ready no later than Sun
& Fun In April - hopefully much sooner.
Heck, I might get lucky and no one will want
one {:>)
Ed
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2007 8:02
PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Fuel Totalizer
Hey Ed,
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