The International Cessna 170 Association

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

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.

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

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.

I have the EI FP-5 and I am very happy with it.

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.

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)

George, push "in" on the stem to get it to glow in the dark (if it is an "Indiglo" watch). Otherwise, no suggestions.

Love it when the ghost of Bluelder appears!

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.

What’s your average burn per hour?

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.

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.

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 .

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.