503 Instruments

[Tracer]

Hi,

When talking engine management/monitoring, what instruments do you guys suggest one uses on a aerie with a 503 air cooled engine?

EGT
CHT
Tach

[avgas]

Tach

[JFK]

Tracer the only instruments on my 503 for the moror is a Tach

[Wargames]

Tracer,

You can use what I am currently using, and that is nothing!!

That is the best way to fly, with total trust on your engine and aircraft.

But if you are really starting to get into things, then you can start to get some instruments, like a rev counter. And then graduly work your way to all you want.

Every instrument show something different of the engine, so you must use them in total to get the bigger picture.

Regards,

[Biggles]

I have the tach and EGT fitted. A while back I fiddled with one of the EGT sensors and it stopped working... I have not missed it iether. EGT will tell you if you are running lean or rich. Would rather replace it with a feul flow guage... but that is just a nice to have.

CHT is more for watercooled engines and I don't believe any real benefit would be had on the 503

Tach is useful for establishing a cruize altitude. And being able to hold revs means that you don't wander around altitude wise. But you can mostly fly by ear. I don't believe I use the tach in circuts at all. Tach is also good for when you do mag checks as the rev drop is often not audable but you can see the needle dip.

[Tracer]

Excellent, guys thanks.

In my opinion the Tach is a must, like Biggles said, not really for use in circuit, but it helps to maintain cruise altitude etc.

Thanks for the advise.

[Morph]

Tracer,

if you have nothing go the MGL EMS-503 unit. It's got 2 CHT, 2 EGT, rpm, Hobbs and flight timers built in. Everything you need apart from the EGT and CHT probes to safely monitor the 503 motor. Of the lot, EGT and rpm are the most important.

The complete engine monitor for the popular Rotax 503 DCDI engine.
A programmable rev counter allows this instrument to be used with other makes of air cooled two stroke engines.
Rev counter, hobbs, flight timer, 2 channel EGT and 2 channel CHT plus alarms. All precision measurements. Easy to use and the best way to go.

I have attached the manual for you to have a look at.

[3wheels]

Tracer,

Check out the MGL range, the product is really good, I have the Stratomaster Xtreme and honestly, if I bought a plane it would be the first thing that would go on.

Just my 2c



P.S Got any flying in lately

[Tracer]

I will take a look at the MGL range, thanks

3Wheels,

No. haven't been in the seat for 2 weeks.

Hoping for Staurday....

[REDROMAN]

Want to put an egt om my 503.Is it worth the wile and can it warn you for possible "hot spots"especialy on decending - throttle off for some time.

[Morph]

Absolutely, that is it's value inflight

being able to monitor your EGT's give you the following advantages

1. You get to balance your carbs perfectly (egt's within 25 deg of each other)
2. On takeoff you can monitor your engine performance and you will typically see your engine runs cooler at max throttle than at other times (assuming you are not over-revving of course)
3. you can select the best cruise setting based on the EGT, (lower EGT's better)
4. You can immediately detect a lean condition (EGT's shoot sky high) Crack in the carb rubber etc.
5. Cruise decents, you can select the best rpm without running in a hotspot
6. You can pitch your prop correctly. Changing your pitch is like changing gears. The courser the setting the more the motor labours (loading). Your EGT's will increase when loaded.