----- Original Message -----

From: Al Gietzen

To: Rotary motors in aircraft

Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2006 10:31 AM

Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Latest EC2 updates, Installation notes

Wendell;

 

If I were doing it over, I’d use twisted conductor, shielded cable (ground shield at box).  I don’t know that it is needed, but it can help eliminate capacitance coupling and RF interference.  Inductive (magnetic) coupling could still occur, so if you can separate them by 2-3 inches it would be good.  Electrical noise is a bit of a guessing game, so take this as one of the guesses.

 

Another opinion: I’d also replace all the solder socket plugs with the machined, plated, crimp D-sub connectors.  It’s faster, easier, more consistent, eliminates the potential of flux induced corrosion, and gives you removable pins. I did a careful soldering job, but used Radio Shack flux core solder; and on careful examination of connectors done a few years ago there are signs of corrosion. For thermocouple connections directly to the d-sub, it is necessary; thermocouple leads do not ‘solder’ unless you use silver solder; which you really can’t do on the d-sub plug without melting the plastic carrier.

 

Just my opinions.

 

Al (still fighting noise issues and a bad thermocouple connection)

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Rotary motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Wendell Voto
Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 8:08 PM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Latest EC2 updates, Installation notes

 

Tracy,

Would shielded cables be okay to run close together in a fiberglass aircraft?

Thanks,

Wendell

----- Original Message -----

From: Tracy Crook

To: Rotary motors in aircraft

Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2006 9:31 AM

Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Latest EC2 updates, Installation notes

 

While trouble shooting Al Gietzen's EC2 engine controller problems, he mentioned that he was seeing relatively large mixture changes  when the alternator was switched off and the battery voltage went low.  The mixture goes leaner with lower battery voltage because the injectors take longer to open.  It was well within the range of the manual mixture control to correct but it got me to thinking about adding battery voltage compensation to the EC2.  This has been done and all controllers shipped after 9-20-06 now incorporate this feature.  Not a freebie, but if anyone wants this incorporated into an earlier EC2 it can be retrofitted.

 

The other update is a rev limiter. It was easy to do so I went ahead and added it. I haven't seen this as a priority because in our application if you make use of it, it means that you need to be more concerned about the pilot's health than the engine's (the prop has fallen off the airplane).  The default rev limit is 8000 rpm.   If you want something different, specify when ordering.    (Also retrofittable)

 

EC2 / EM2 Installation Note.

 

This only applies to EC2 engine controller installations combined with early two-part EM2 engine monitors in canard aircraft where both units are installed near the engine and have long wiring harnesses connecting them to the EC2 front panel and EM2 display (a rare combination that may be unique to Al's airplane).   Have been working with Al for some time searching for the cause of random MAP table and other EC2 parameter corruption.  I am now almost certain that the cause is noise coupling from the EM2 display harness into the EC2 control panel harness.  The two harnesses were laced together in Al's installation.   He is in the process of separating them now (sympathies to Al, no picnic).   Needless to say at this point,  never run these two harnesses together and separate them as far as practical.   I think Al will have about 4 inches between them when separated.

 

Tracy Crook,   RWS