ORIGINAL: mmattockx
ORIGINAL: Pat Roy
Although the Eagle Tree is pretty expensive it provides quite a few user functions that others don't, and they are small. You don't need a live telemetry dashboard unless you do a lot of ground testing. You can't watch the dashboard when flying... The data logger they have (base unit for all the systems) is extremely useful. Buying the optional USB serial port for routing the data link to the outside of the fuselage is a very nice feature to have unless you like removing the hatch to download data. All of this presumes you have a laptop to facilitate gathering data. Obtain a couple extra thermocouples for different engines. That also allows room to screw one up experimenting with different mounting locations.
Pat,
I will take a look at it. The laptop is no problem.
What type of thermocouple are they using? Do they clip or bolt to a cooling fin (I seem to recall hearing that mentioned elsewhere in this forum)? The kart racers have nice ones that replace the washer under the spark plug, so they get a reading right from dead center of the head in an area of minimal cooling. It has been a while since I looked at them, I will have to do some research.
Mark
Mark,
Eagle Tree uses what I call a "wrap" thermocouple. It wraps around the cylinder, although it can be tricked into attaching under a bolt and washer. If the cart people have a basic two wire thermocouple adapted to fit under a plug I want some!!!! The downside of the Eagle Tree Thremocouple is that it typically has the resistance sensor at the front of the cylinder, which is not the hottest point on the engine regardless of placement height. The stuff used at work is a bit more sophisticated[)]