Engine Data Logging

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Ed McDonald
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun May 05, 2013 4:30 am

Engine Data Logging

Post by Ed McDonald »

Is there any means to have the GRT equipment automatically data log engine parameters only. The idea is to get the engine info only that can be analyzed later. The idea is to also have the EFIS (HXr, Sport, etc) do it automatically without having to do the manual "Record" and "Save" that is presently required.
GRT_Jeff
Posts: 802
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:11 am

Re: Engine Data Logging

Post by GRT_Jeff »

None of the recording options have ways to select what data gets recorded. You can enable automatic recording of DEMO files, although that includes all inputs. Or you can use the USB Flight Data Logger available in the newer models (HXr/HX/SX/EX/Mini), which outputs directly to CSV files at regular intervals, but includes AHRS and GPS data.
Ed McDonald
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun May 05, 2013 4:30 am

Re: Engine Data Logging

Post by Ed McDonald »

Jeff,

Thanks for the prompt reply but specifically, how does one do that? None of the manuals for the devices you quote have been updated in eons and there is no guidance on what to set to achieve to this, as best as I can tell.

We have a Sport dedicated as an engine display so if we record from that device we should get nothing but engine information.
GRT_Jeff
Posts: 802
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:11 am

Re: Engine Data Logging

Post by GRT_Jeff »

If the Sport has a GPS in it you will get GPS data also. If the Sport does not have a GPS but is linked to a Sport with any GPS input, you can use the GPS data for automatic start/stop but it will not be recorded in the DEMO files. Any GPS would be recorded by the USB Flight Data Logger, though.

If you want to record DEMO files any time the plane is in motion or the engine is running (based on the tach input), you could use these settings:

SET MENU, General Setup, DEMO Settings:
Automatic Start/Stop: Start and Stop
Auto Start RPM: 100
Auto Start N1: 0
Auto Start Airspeed: 0
Auto Start Ground Speed: 1(1 selects the default speed, 25 knots)
Auto Stop RPM: 100
Auto Stop N1: 0
Auto Stop Airspeed: 0
Auto Stop Ground Speed: 1 (1 selects the default speed, 25 knots)

With these settings, any time your RPM input is above 100 for a couple seconds or your ground speed is above 25 knots (speed 1 is a special mode) for about 15 seconds, the DEMO function will be recording. If your RPM drops below 100 for a couple seconds or ground speed drops below 25 knots for about 15 seconds, the EFIS will save the data in memory to a DEMO file. New data is not recorded during the save (several seconds). You can adjust these settings as needed. A speed setting of 1 is a special value that uses the default air-ground transition speed of 25 knots.

Any start condition causes data to be recorded. The first stop condition causes the recorded data in memory to be written to the USB flash drive. The unit will resume recording after the save if a start condition is still in effect. Data that hasn't been written to the flash drive will be lost when power is turned off or the display unit is rebooted.

The USB Flight Data Logger has its own independent settings. You can enable both recording functions if you want.

USB Flight Data Logger -- On/Off.
Off -- default. Disables all USB Flight Data Logger activity. Any unsaved data in memory will be written to the file and no more samples will be recorded.
On -- Starts the USB Flight Data Logger and enables the other settings.

USB FDL Record Interval (ms) -- Data samples are recorded at this interval. 200 - 30000 ms in steps of 200 ms. Default 1000 ms.

USB FDL Save Interval (s) -- The recorded data is written to the USB flash drive at this interval. 0 - 300 seconds. Default 60 seconds. (If set to zero, the file is only written when the internal buffer fills up or the data logger stops.)

USB FDL File Type:
Single -- default, always appends new data to the same GRT Flight Data Logger.CSV file.
New file each boot -- Creates a GRT FDL ####.CSV file (like DEMO does) on each boot, looking for the first unused number on the stick.
First time of boot -- Creates a GRT FDL YYYYMMDD HHMMSS.CSV file using the time of the first recorded sample after boot, if the time is available.

USB FDL Always Record:
No -- default, records samples when any of these are true: airspeed is valid (above the sensor minimum), ground speed is above 5 knots, RPM/N1 input is non-zero, fuel flow is non-zero
Yes -- records samples unconditionally, ignoring all speed and engine criteria
Ed McDonald
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun May 05, 2013 4:30 am

Re: Engine Data Logging

Post by Ed McDonald »

Outstanding! Thanks Jeff.
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