VAF Forums

VAF Forums (https://vansairforce.net/community/index.php)
-   Fuel Injection Systems (https://vansairforce.net/community/forumdisplay.php?f=94)
-   -   SDS EM-6 EFI ECU (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=158304)

majuro15 10-28-2019 07:23 AM

Looks great, Ross. I bet it's going to be much easier to read at an angle too. I have mine on the far side of the cockpit, so it's a bit of a challenge.

Really pumped about the closed loop option with the EM6 after learning more about tuning process! Real time/effort saver.

rv6ejguy 10-28-2019 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majuro15 (Post 1382529)

Really pumped about the closed loop option with the EM6 after learning more about tuning process! Real time/effort saver.

The closed loop option will eliminate a lot of the tuning time required but can only be reasonably implemented using unleaded fuels in our opinion, given the demonstrated variability on the lifespans of WB O2 sensors on leaded fuel to date.

So if you fly locally and haul mogas or can plan your trips to airports selling mogas or Swift fuels, this could be a good option. Whenever we get widespread unleaded avgas availability, closed loop will become the cat's meow for aircraft EFI.

rongawer 10-28-2019 10:25 AM

Fault light
 
Ross, I really like your new programmer and look forward to implementing the EM-6 on my airplane.

For the fault light, do you provide a discrete output as well? I would prefer to have that fault also show up on my EFIS, which is a pretty simple task to implement if there is a discrete output available.

rv6ejguy 10-28-2019 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rongawer (Post 1382578)
Ross, I really like your new programmer and look forward to implementing the EM-6 on my airplane.

For the fault light, do you provide a discrete output as well? I would prefer to have that fault also show up on my EFIS, which is a pretty simple task to implement if there is a discrete output available.

Thanks for the feedback. I expect that external output will remain for this purpose.

rv6ejguy 11-01-2019 08:47 AM

Design1 Programmer Panel Template
 
We have dimensions now for the Design1 panel cutout posted on our Aircraft Page for those who've been waiting (about 3/4 of the way down the page). I can also email that info if desired.

David Carter 11-02-2019 04:18 PM

Ross - this is a great design. Any chance that you'll come out with a Design1 form factor controller for the CPI-2? I'm struggling having space for the existing controller in my new panel design for the RV-7A.

rv6ejguy 11-02-2019 09:27 PM

Not for some time, if ever. We made the CPI-2 one as small as possible and given the lower numbers sold plus time and cost to design and manufacture a second shape, it wouldn't make sense for us at this time. The CPI-2 delayed development of the EM-6 parts for at least a year so it's time to forge ahead now and get it done.

rv6ejguy 11-03-2019 09:55 AM

Spinoff Tech
 
I had a thought last night that perhaps the Design1 could be re-purposed with a new keypad for the CPI-2. This should only involve the cost of a new keypad which would only be a graphics change.

I'll investigate that with Barry and see if there are any other pitfalls in that idea. It still wouldn't happen too quickly as EM-6 stuff has priority but it would make it financially viable at least and speed the process considerably.

Thanks for the input David. Might be possible this way.

rv6ejguy 11-04-2019 05:53 PM

Progress
 
Design1 PCB files have gone to the PCB manufacturer this morning.

We are tweaking 2 small items on the enclosure and that should go to machining late this week for production parts.

Have a big box of LCDs and keypads in hand now.

New software for these completed and tested now.

Just have to wait for the production parts to come back to us now.

Design2 LCDs in hand now. Designing the PCBs and keypads should commence by the end of the week.

rv6ejguy 11-26-2019 06:58 PM

Design1 Programmer Boxes Machined
 
Just picked these up from the machine shop this afternoon: https://youtu.be/tv6NQlY-MW4

Face plates off to anodizing tomorrow.

rv6ejguy 12-05-2019 05:19 PM

Design1 Programmer
 
Barry has just been finishing the software to drive the new Design1 programmer features.

Several people had asked if the LOP feature could still be activated with an external switch so we made selectable menus in the programmer to either use an external switch or the on-keypad switch. The answer is now yes.



Here is the screen configured for LOP keypad activation.

We'll have a few production Design1 programmers assembled next week for those who've asked for them and they will start going out with new EM-5 orders mid-month.

Again, we appreciate the input on what features people desire on the 6th gen system.

rv6ejguy 12-11-2019 07:59 PM

Design1 Video
 
Short vid showing the first production Design1 programmer.

https://youtu.be/vucst8RYeWE

I'll do a more in depth one showing the new screens when I get more time. Busy filling as many orders as possible before year end.

Zuldarin 12-12-2019 07:41 AM

Mounting?
 
Hey Ross, color me confused here. How does it mount to the panel/radio stack? I see the front side mounting holes but is it designed to sit behind the panel, on top of the panel or is there some sort of bezel that attaches it?

Zuldarin 12-12-2019 11:26 AM

Never mind...its hard to see the raised bezel on the programmer but once I put my glasses on it showed up. :-)

rv6ejguy 12-14-2019 08:17 AM

The first three Design1 programmers shipped last week, 2 with new EM-5 orders and one to long time SDS customer and friend Rusty Crawford who is doing a panel upgrade on his 7A. Rusty is our high time Lycoming (Subaru previously) user with over 2000 flight hours who has given us lots of feedback and good ideas which have found their way into our new products.

Rusty, hope you will post a photo of your new panel.:)

svyolo 12-15-2019 02:25 AM

I finally figured how to cut a nice, crisp round hole in Carbon Fiber to fit the old programmer in my panel.

Looks like I cut too soon.

kentlik 12-15-2019 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svyolo (Post 1393033)
I finally figured how to cut a nice, crisp round hole in Carbon Fiber to fit the old programmer in my panel.

Looks like I cut too soon.

Ditto. Fortunate for me it was just a AL blank...

Never buy anything until the last minute...something new or better always comes out...

Mike S 01-13-2020 04:08 PM

I just received the new programmer, thing of beauty for sure.

And going to be much easier to mount in the panel than the round one was going to be.

airguy 01-15-2020 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike S (Post 1399816)
I just received the new programmer, thing of beauty for sure.

And going to be much easier to mount in the panel than the round one was going to be.

I got mine a few weeks ago and I'm chomping at the bit to install it. I've got quite a bit of flying planned for the next couple weeks, and then I'm going to take my plane down for annual and start turning wrenches, including the SDS install.

McStevens 01-15-2020 11:19 AM

When I got my programmer I couldn't help but hook it up on my dining room table, very nice indeed.

Nick 01-21-2020 06:53 PM

Rusty's panel. Should be either in by today or in next few.




Click for full size.

rv6ejguy 01-21-2020 07:25 PM

Good stuff. Thanks Nick. I'm still gathering your parts together. Sorry for the wait.

Nick 01-21-2020 07:31 PM

No problem at all Ross, I've been swamped at work, I know how it goes!

BRS 03-15-2020 12:20 PM

New Programmer installed
 
I've just finished reading though this thread (normally on the Glasair forum). Thought I'd post a few panel pics with the new controller panel installed.

This is my Sportsman which has about 300 hours on it and I decided to do the SDS install as well as a supercharger (now bolted on but not plumbed).

ps. What's the best way to post pics to this forum?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/y0z5anw87y...nel-1.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/db5x5ypi2d...nel-2.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wx0m8tpbz2...nel-3.jpg?dl=0

Foghorn 03-15-2020 07:47 PM

That looks great! Can?t wait to get mine installed.

I use https://postimages.org/ to post pictures here. You can copy and post picture in forum sizes.

Jeff

rv6ejguy 03-15-2020 08:03 PM

New programmer looks great in your panel. Thanks for posting the photos.:)

rv6ejguy 05-29-2020 09:13 AM

Update
 
It's been a while since I updated progress on the EM-6 ECU because we've been so busy with our day to day business. Most work is being done on software right now.

Barry has released V31 software for current EM-5 ECUs. This is a direct development for EM-6 ECUs and enables longer injector pulse widths at high power settings than before. This was something we wanted to do for years but never had the time. This is mainly focused on turbocharged engines and we had to complete this for 2 time Sport Class winner Andrew Findlay for his 2020 run in time for his early flight testing this month. Hopefully Reno goes on this year.

Other software work is being done to enable customers to reflash their own ECUs on the EM-6 from a download. This will save time and shipping costs sending them back for this work to be done as has been the case on EM-5s.

There is some more code to write and test for new data logging capability and closed loop enhancements. The former will be a bit time consuming, the latter will just be a variation of experimental code written in 2008 which worked well in flight testing.

Hardware should be the easier part after all this, but you never know in this business until it's all done and tested.

Tomcat RV4 05-31-2020 05:57 PM

Ross, this may be stupid question, BUT any customer w Em5 upgrading to Em 6
that would want to sell? I am putting together 1.8 honda civic an think 5 would
be adequate/simple for my needs in zenith 701. Tom Hankamp

rv6ejguy 06-01-2020 05:52 AM

EM-6 deliveries are quite a ways off at this time and we'll be wanting the EM-5s back on trade for this upgrade. EM-5s from other markets pop up from time to time on the used market since there are a couple thousand out there.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:52 AM.