Fuel Flow

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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Mapleflt
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Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 3:20 pm

Fuel Flow

Post by Mapleflt »

Can anyone offer their personal experience with the various fuel flow monitoring systems that exist in the market place for a carb equipped 0-300.

Cheers,

Mapleflt
hilltop170
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by hilltop170 »

To me, fuel flow computers are required equipment these days, along with GPS. I have used both the Shadin and EI fuel flow computers but not JPI. Both have excellent accuracy. To me the EI is easier to use. The EI fits in a 2-1/4" hole, Shadin that I had was rectangular. EI customer support is excellent, JPI not so much, never called Shadin because I never needed to. I prefer the EI FP-5. Be sure and get the correct model for gravity fed carb systems.

I prefer single function instruments over cluster instruments with many functions in one display so the EI suits me better. Plus I converted all of the other analog instruments to digital EI displays so the FP-5 naturally fits into the panel.

I believe the 3 major brands will all give accurate information and will have great reliability so it all boils down to personal preference in displays.
Last edited by hilltop170 on Tue Jun 12, 2018 6:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
flyboy122
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Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 2:30 am

Re: Fuel Flow

Post by flyboy122 »

I installed an old...old shadin in my 170 years ago. They went through it for me and barely charged, then their tech support stuck with me throughout the installation that had a number of it's own challenges. I can't say enough about their product support. It's first class.

Now that it's in, I would not be without it. Pretty much everything I fly has some sort of fuel flow monitor and I consider them invaluable.

DEM
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sfarringer
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by sfarringer »

I have been using a JPI fuel flow since 2009, integrated into the 6 cylinder EGT/CHT system. Very accurate. Have had no problems, so can't speak for customer service.

Get the right transducer for a gravity flow system.
Ragwing S/N 18073
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KG
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by KG »

I have the EI FP-5 and I am very happy with it.
53 170B
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DaveF
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by DaveF »

I have a JPI FS-450 and had one in my previous airplane. Works great, as I’m sure the EI does also. I like the JPI because it displays both fuel flow and fuel/time remaining simultaneously. No button pushing required. I don’t particularly like the bright red LED display.
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GAHorn
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by GAHorn »

I've been using my $7.95 WalMart Chineese wristwatch multiplied by 8 gph for 20 years now and it's rarely been more than 1/2 gallon off of predicted consumption, but I've never figured out how to get it to glow in the dark. :(
--the grinch.

(sorry...bluElder appeared to me in a dream last night and I couldn't resist) :lol:
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
hilltop170
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by hilltop170 »

George, push "in" on the stem to get it to glow in the dark (if it is an "Indiglo" watch). Otherwise, no suggestions.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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Kyle Wolfe
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by Kyle Wolfe »

Love it when the ghost of Bluelder appears!
Kyle
54 B N1932C
57 BMW Isetta
Best original 170B - Dearborn, MI 2005
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ghostflyer
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by ghostflyer »

I have fitted a EI fuel computer that has fuel flow , fuel used and fuel left in tanks and a heap of other stuff. It has showed me where I have been wasting fuel plus it allowed me to work out my HP being developed . I too have a Chinese watch but have been concerned when the bamboo spring was going to break and what oil to use to lubricate it . Using GPS and this EI fuel computer I am saving about 1/3 of the normal fuel I was using for that same trip . It made me all more conscience of what the engine was really doing . Originally when I was cruising at altitude I would lean until RPM stumbled and then richen to highest RPM and then lean a little . My plugs are now spotless when pulled and EGT,s are where the text book says where they should be . Fuel consumption varies greatly with small differences in RPM also. I now know that at 2550 rpm I get my best fuel used for distance over the map. [in still air] another admission also... I made my aircraft a lot lighter. Cleaned out all the junk [23 lbs] plus ripped out the old thick carpet that was thick with dirt and oil and someone’s lunch .
The junk included tools and aircraft parts that could come in handy one day , 5 quarts of oil that I never used .

Ps. The watch was painted RED. Now that’s a worry.
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c170b53
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by c170b53 »

What’s your average burn per hour?
Jim McIntosh..
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
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ghostflyer
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by ghostflyer »

My fuel flow is on take off is 16 us gals a hour and in cruise up to,8,500ft it’s about 9.5 us gals a hour and above 8500 ft it drops to around 9 us gals a hour . I have a little lower consumption at higher altitudes but have had the aircraft lightly loaded. Please note .. this engine is a 4 banger ,180 hp . When I had the continental fitted and no fuel computer my average was 10 us gals a hour plus . This was using my red Chinese bamboo watch and dipping the tanks at every stop. The continental was problematic with high air temperatures . Plus I didn’t have GPS those days and a new feature is call “windy’’ which is a big help in finding the best winds aloft.
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c170b53
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by c170b53 »

I have the 0-320 160 C/S and your numbers (cruise) sound bang on for me as well. Have been waffling over getting a fuel computer ( FP-5), still just using a watch and one of my gauges I still trust.
Jim McIntosh..
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
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ghostflyer
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by ghostflyer »

My Chinese red bamboo watch once stopped,so I opened it up and sprayed it with WD 40 and it worked for another 6 months . I found the fuel gauges in the 170 not the most accurate . It showed fuel sloshing around and that’s about it . So with a Chinese watch [red] and those gauges it was time for the 21st century . Now I am down to less that .2 of a us gal accuracy on a trip . It’s very reassuring to really know that you have 3/4 hour fuel really held in reserve . This can be extended with proper fuel management .
hilltop170
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Re: Fuel Flow

Post by hilltop170 »

ghostflyer wrote:.............. I found the fuel gauges in the 170 not the most accurate. It showed fuel sloshing around and that’s about it .......... It’s very reassuring to really know that you have 3/4 hour fuel really held in reserve. This can be extended with proper fuel management .
Exactly! That is why I have a fuel computer.

When flying a max-range flight, accurate information means the difference between a pleasant flight and undue anxiety. I'll take a pleasant flight any day.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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