anyone using the JPI FS450M
 

I'm getting ready to add a fuel flow system and the two choices seem like the Shadin Digiflow and the JPI 450M. I've read the manuals for both and the Shadin has the advantage of being STC'd as a replacement for the factory fuel flow gauge.

But the JPI has the advantage that it can show fuel consumed per engine instead of just as a total, and that it's less than half price. It's tempting to save $1800 and go with the JPI and just leave in the factory fuel flow gauge.

JPI does have an STC for the skymaster as an advisory gauge.

Seems like JPI may be my choice, am I missing something?

Brian

I have a Shadin. The easy to read flow per engine is what is used all the time. The totalizer is combined as you point out, which can be a bit of a limitation. In my case I tend to use the totalizer only relative to the mains. So I set it for 90 gallons and let it count down my total main fuel. It seems my rear engine uses a bit more fuel until I get it set up and leaned in cruise. So when you get to "the last hour", ie 20 gallons on the totalizer, you might only actually have 8 in the rear main and 12 in the front...but arguably it is close enough. If I intend to use aux fuel I will program that in, but then you quickly lose track of where the fuel is because the totalizer is using fuel to the engines in total...it cares less what tank it is coming from...and then with the return fuel (at least with my system) the aux fuel refurn ends up in the mains...and at an unknown rate.

Totalizers leaving each tank would be the answer!

because I have a 73 I only have to deal with left and right on my fuel selector. One of the things I like about the JPI is I can look at total fuel for the Front engine and it will give me combined fuel burn from the left side (same for right/rear).

Hi Brian
Do you already have an engine analyzer?

While getting ready to order the FS450M, I changed my plans. I ended up buying the JPI 751, an engine analyzer with two 4" screens. It's approved as primary for CHT and oil temp. I added the fuel flow option, and it also comes with TIT, OAT, Volts, and 12 EGT/12CHT probes. I will eventually add RPM/MAP, oil pressure, and fuel pressure to give me a full view of both engines.

Unforutnatly it's not approves as primary for all instruments, so I'll have to keep some of the stock gauges. When I do a whole new panel my plan is to replace the primary gauges with different ones that have remote sensors so I can get the wet lines out of the cockpit.

For the price it was about 1/3 the price of a complete primary certified display. It was almost the same price as the "skymaster" version of the Insight G4. They aren't shipping the G4 yet but they'll pre-sell it to you and give you two G3 head units now. I ended up going with the JPI because the screens were larger.

Here's a pic of it in a different plane, this is how I plan to mount it.

The most important aspect of adding FF is that it's data be in the engine monitor download. Having each engine's FF individually catalogued is very helpful when troubleshooting engine problems.

Take a look at the Flight Line (Xerion) 2120 for a twin. It replaces all factory gauges.

one more update here. After hassling with JPI and aircraft spruce I ended up cancelling that order. I instead went with the Insight G4. They have a package for Skymasters that includes the whole engine monitoring system. They also have an STC for primary on cylinder head temp, exhaust gas temp, and TIT. They have also applied for a future STC for primary on oil temp, oil pressure, and MAP.

The G4 system is not shipping yet, so they are loaning me two G3 gauges until a single G4 comes in.

I also contacted Shadin and they can sell me a used gauge that will connect to the G4 fuel flow sensors and give me the STC for primary fuel flow on the shadin unit.

In the end it was a much better deal than JPI with more features.

http://www.insightavionics.com/g3.htm


Brian

Let us know how they work...I'm thinking about putting the same thing in the panel...also if you don't mind...what's the cost?

I Sent you a PM with he cost details

update: Monitor installation is mostly complete. We used the access panel in the back to route the wires thru. All of the sensors are wired in, all we have left is to wire in the gauge.

Along the way, I found out that you can actually wire the Shadin Digiflow to the engine monitor. Shadin says you can either use their fuel flow sensors or the Insight G3 sensors to drive both gauges. The big advantage to this is that I will be able to get rid of the wet fuel lines in the cockpit.

Brian

one more pic

finally in. I ended up trading up to G4's. Now I to do more reading about LOP operation.