SDS CDI vs Pmag

[rv6ejguy]

There will be voltage monitoring for the main bus power as well as backup battery health which we'd like to display easily for everyone so they have go- no go info on the panel and know what's going on with the unit.

While I see the benefit of downsizing or eliminating a dedicated screen and keypad, we've had a number of people say they are not keen on a bunch of devices dangling loose in the cockpit joined by external cables. It seems to me if you use your phone to display something, whether that's GPS info or ignition controller info, then you want a mount for that phone, so why not just have the controller head attached to the controller? A wireless connection saves the ugly cable bit at least. Again, I think we're up against time to develop and test things like this.

With the old or new CPI, you can still blind mount if you don't have the panel space.

We are looking at BlueTooth for some other projects and this could find its way in some form into the new CPI. Then do we have to write software for both Android and Apple devices? You see where this is going as far as lead time goes? We are not a Garmin or Dynon unfortunately as far as engineering resources available.

Appreciate the input, it's always food for thought.

[Chkaharyer99]

"There will be voltage monitoring for the main bus power as well as backup battery health which we'd like to display easily for everyone so they have go- no go info on the panel and know what going on with the unit."

As someone seriously considering the SDS proposed backup battery solution, I would appreciate a voltage monitor option built into the system. The monitor in my field of view.

[tspear]

Originally Posted by Chkaharyer99

"There will be voltage monitoring for the main bus power as well as backup battery health which we'd like to display easily for everyone so they have go- no go info on the panel and know what going on with the unit."

As someone seriously considering the SDS proposed backup battery solution, I would appreciate a voltage monitor option built into the system. The monitor in my field of view.

I know in the meter industry (think buildings) there is a standard for reporting a lot of this information. Allows you to interchange a fair number of parts.
Is there anything like that in avionics? Is there a standard way to report volt,amp,current to the EFIS?

Tim

[rv6ejguy]

There are several standard protocols in avionics depending whether it's serial or CAN data.

Simple display formats for some EFIS' is readily available, others are either proprietary or pay for use, especially where more complex functions are desired.

[rv6ejguy]

We've been a bit busy shipping orders lately but have almost licked all the OV protection and battery switching hardware issues on the breadboard. Some final testing tonight throwing 100 volts on the input and making sure nothing fries.

Next, we'll work on a backup battery charging circuit and then on to the prototype PCB layout of components.

The OV and backup battery circuitry soaked up a lot of hours as we had not done a lot of work along those lines previously. PCB layout should go quickly outside of some of the new bits/ features added.

Software will mostly be copied over from the existing CPI, again with additions for new features. This part usually goes pretty quickly- knock on wood.

We've looked at the mechanical layout and CNC machining of the new enclosure. This will probably be done quite differently than some of our other enclosures given the optional twin board layout. Still investigating the best way to accomplish all goals within price targets.

[maniago]

Originally Posted by rv6ejguy

On the CPI2, we looked at doing a color MFD but the development costs put that outside the market for this device which is intended mainly to compete with the P mag, Surefly, Electroair and Lightspeed ignition systems. Most of these have no or no standard human interface available. Also, since programming is nil or minimal, it does not warrant such a display for just showing timing, MAP and a few other simple parametera 99% of the time.

The larger 12 X 2 display simply won't fit into a 2.25 round package along with decent sized buttons so it must be larger than that.

Appreciate the comments and glad you talked to Bill who's been flying and racing our stuff.

2 1/4 hole for me - get bigger and its a pain for anyone with a small panel space. Larger hole guys can still use the small display, but not the other way around......

[Canadian_JOY]

I'll second the above comment - ignition management has almost zero space budget in most instrument panel layouts, simply because the steam gauge heritage of many panels is also shared with a magneto ignition heritage where ignition management was a key switch.

Keep the controller small, please.

PS: Even in our current all-glass panel, I do not have, and will not make room for a 3 1/8" ignition controller. I would rather have a "flat pack" than a 3 1/8" instrument layout. (check out TruTrak autopilots for an example of a very viable flat pack configuration)

[rv6ejguy]

We're hearing as small as possible from most folks. We'll head that direction given the constraints of the 12 X 2 LCD. This unit will be at least 5 inches deep behind the panel though.

[maniago]

Originally Posted by rv6ejguy

We're hearing as small as possible from most folks. We'll head that direction given the constraints of the 12 X 2 LCD. This unit will be at least 5 inches deep behind the panel though.

On the key comment, you can do a lot with a knob ie push/pull, left/right up/down detents, as well as the basic twist function - less space than arrow keys.....just a thought.

[rv6ejguy]

Originally Posted by maniago

On the key comment, you can do a lot with a knob ie push/pull, left/right up/down detents, as well as the basic twist function - less space than arrow keys.....just a thought.

True but more complicated, expensive to manufacture, less reliable in our experience. The design will be one piece and the PCB take up a certain amount of space/ volume. This and the size of the LCD are the driving force for panel face size. We also want to keep the architecture familiar to legacy SDS users since some may want to upgrade at some point.

I've used some other products with multi-function knobs and minimalist keypads. I haven't liked any of them- not intuitive to use IMO.