nigelspeedy
Well Known Member
I've had PMags on my engine from the start. I recently had the chance to install and fly with an "Engine Bridge" module from http://www.enginebridge.com. The deal was I got one of the early prototypes in return for providing the developer feedback.
The unit is designed as a display for the PMag ignition settings, ignition advance, coil/plug health and also as an interface to make changes to the PMag settings.
The unit is connected to each PMag Tx, Rx and Tach line. The unit also needs power and ground. There is also an option for an LED that can warn of a timing disparity between two ignitions or be used as a timer. The resulting wiring bundle connects to the unit via a DB9 connector. Not hard to do even if your aircraft is already flying.
The unit does not have a screen but instead links to your iPad via Bluetooth and displays the various values via a dedicated App. As the module has no screen there is no need to mount it in the front of the panel, where space can be at a premium. I mounted mine behind the panel on top of the map box. The unit is approximately 4.5" long, 3" wide and 1" thick.
Engine Bridge Module
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After downloading the App connecting to the Engine Bridge was relatively easy and just needs the device serial number to be entered.
One concern you might have with iPad via Bluetooth to PMag is what happens if the connection is lost, the iPad fails or the wiring to the PMags fail. Good news is that the engine keeps on running. The Engine Bridge is designed to operate as a display of PMag values and is not needed by the PMags for function.
The App has several screens as shown below.
Configuration Page
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Ignition Operation Page
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Ignition Settings Page
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Change Settings Page
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The App menu structure is simple, a lateral swipe takes you from one page to the next.
In some case I feel the icons or text were a little small. Good news is that iPad screen real estate is plentiful and these simple changes could be done in software during an App update.
The App has a simulator mode so that users can get competent in its use prior to flight.
Similar to my experience with the EICommander if you write new settings to the PMags while the engine is running the PMags suspend firing briefly (~0.5 seconds). This feels like an inflight mag check and the higher the power setting at the time the more abrupt this feels.
On the Ignition Operation Page there is the option to display the refM and refV (a PMag internal reference to the MAP and self generated Voltage). In my experience these values were not representative of actual MAP (as displayed on my Skyview EMS) or voltage and are of no practical value. They are user selectable so you can simply chose not to have them displayed.
If there is no user interaction with the App the iPad will go to sleep. I would like to see a suspend sleep mode option (such as in ForeFlight) added.
Price at time of writing for the module was $285 and the App was $2 from the Apple Store (which is refundable against the purchase price of the module).
If you are after a display for your PMags, or want an easy way to make changes to the various settings then the Engine Bridge is worthy of consideration. The large screen size of the iPad and simple menu structure makes interface with the ignition system quick and easy.
Although it can be done I don't recommend using the Engine Bridge for making ignition timing changes while the engine is running. Think ignition display vice ignition inflight controller. If you want total control of your engine ignition then you should chose a different ignition system (which is no fault of Engine Bridge, just a limitation of the manipulations possible with the PMag timing base map).
Cheers
Nige
The unit is designed as a display for the PMag ignition settings, ignition advance, coil/plug health and also as an interface to make changes to the PMag settings.
The unit is connected to each PMag Tx, Rx and Tach line. The unit also needs power and ground. There is also an option for an LED that can warn of a timing disparity between two ignitions or be used as a timer. The resulting wiring bundle connects to the unit via a DB9 connector. Not hard to do even if your aircraft is already flying.
The unit does not have a screen but instead links to your iPad via Bluetooth and displays the various values via a dedicated App. As the module has no screen there is no need to mount it in the front of the panel, where space can be at a premium. I mounted mine behind the panel on top of the map box. The unit is approximately 4.5" long, 3" wide and 1" thick.
Engine Bridge Module
After downloading the App connecting to the Engine Bridge was relatively easy and just needs the device serial number to be entered.
One concern you might have with iPad via Bluetooth to PMag is what happens if the connection is lost, the iPad fails or the wiring to the PMags fail. Good news is that the engine keeps on running. The Engine Bridge is designed to operate as a display of PMag values and is not needed by the PMags for function.
The App has several screens as shown below.
Configuration Page
Ignition Operation Page
Ignition Settings Page
Change Settings Page
The App menu structure is simple, a lateral swipe takes you from one page to the next.
In some case I feel the icons or text were a little small. Good news is that iPad screen real estate is plentiful and these simple changes could be done in software during an App update.
The App has a simulator mode so that users can get competent in its use prior to flight.
Similar to my experience with the EICommander if you write new settings to the PMags while the engine is running the PMags suspend firing briefly (~0.5 seconds). This feels like an inflight mag check and the higher the power setting at the time the more abrupt this feels.
On the Ignition Operation Page there is the option to display the refM and refV (a PMag internal reference to the MAP and self generated Voltage). In my experience these values were not representative of actual MAP (as displayed on my Skyview EMS) or voltage and are of no practical value. They are user selectable so you can simply chose not to have them displayed.
If there is no user interaction with the App the iPad will go to sleep. I would like to see a suspend sleep mode option (such as in ForeFlight) added.
Price at time of writing for the module was $285 and the App was $2 from the Apple Store (which is refundable against the purchase price of the module).
If you are after a display for your PMags, or want an easy way to make changes to the various settings then the Engine Bridge is worthy of consideration. The large screen size of the iPad and simple menu structure makes interface with the ignition system quick and easy.
Although it can be done I don't recommend using the Engine Bridge for making ignition timing changes while the engine is running. Think ignition display vice ignition inflight controller. If you want total control of your engine ignition then you should chose a different ignition system (which is no fault of Engine Bridge, just a limitation of the manipulations possible with the PMag timing base map).
Cheers
Nige
