New Product - Engine Warning and Diagnostic System

[Administrator]

Check out this new product introduction for Moyer Marine!



The Engine Warning and Diagnostic System (EWDS), designed by Dutton Engineering, when added to our basic temperature and oil pressure warning kit (KTAS_01_191) provides a visual and audio alert to five different engine performance parameters; oil pressure, coolant temperature, raw water flow, fuel pressure, and coil input voltage. The purpose of the EWDS is to alert the operator to any of these engine systems that is malfunctioning (or about to malfunction) so that remedial action can be taken before the fact of an unexpected shutdown. The EWDS cannot be installed unless our basic temperature and oil pressure warning kit has been installed previously.

The EWDS uses the full function and sensors of the standard Cole-Hersee Alarm system, and (if installed) the Raw Water Flow Sensor (KTAS_01_563). The Raw Water Flow Sensor is optional, but necessary for full designed function of the EWDS.

Sensor trip points for fuel pressure is factory preset at 1 psi or lower, and the coil voltage trip point is preset at just below 9 volts. Oil pressure and coolant temperature trip points are determined by the Cole-Hersee alarm system; 200 degrees and above for the temperature alarm and oil pressure below 6 psi. The raw water flow sensor is set to detect when raw water flow is reduced to a rate just below normal starter RPM (essentially a little more than a trickle).

Click here for more!

[ndutton]

Talking out of school a little

It was a distinct pleasure working with Don on this project. This was a little more than two years in development and Don has wanted something like it for much longer.

Our first concept was much more elaborate but the anticipated price quickly ramped up beyond four figures so that was nixxed. After a bit of a layoff we approached the idea from the other end, Spartan all the way keeping price in mind. Well, that one was a little too Spartan so Don added a few more parameters to monitor and this is the result.

Say you're motoring along and the RPM falters. What's wrong? Even the best of us won't know for sure right away but a quick glance at the indicator panel could provide a clue. Maybe the 'Fuel' light is illuminated. You'll know instantly there's insufficient fuel delivery to the engine to provide reliable operation. Or say the buzzer goes off and the 'Flow' light illuminates. You don't have a problem yet but you will in short order, your cooling water flow has stopped.

I'm planning another instrument panel revision in the immediate future and adding the EWDS is one of the reasons why. The more information available, the better.

Thanks for the idea Don and thanks for including me.

[thatch]

Nice work

So, if I read this correctly, if any of the 6 systems has a problem, the Cole-Hersee buzzer will also sound, is this correct?
Tom

[ndutton]

So, if I read this correctly, if any of the 6 systems has a problem, the Cole-Hersee buzzer will also sound, is this correct?
Tom

That is correct. No need to have your eyes glued to the panel. Any monitored parameter out of spec will cause the buzzer to sound grabbing your attention. You then check the EWDS panel for an indication of the problem area and of course check the gauges as well.

If the buzzer sounds at least one light is illuminated. Depending on the problem, maybe more. For example, if the oil pressure drops low enough to cause the OPSS to open you'll have buzzer + 'Oil' light and 'Fuel' light. If the OPSS fails on its own you'll have buzzer + 'Fuel' light only. Lights not illuminated indicate those parameters are still within spec, your attention can be directed elsewhere.

BTW, 5 systems.

edit, to clarify a little more:
The buzzer will not sound without illuminating a light. A light will not illuminate without a buzzer alert.

[joe_db]

I don't see a statement to that effect, but I am about 90% sure that is the case. This is replicating the "master caution" system in aircraft where the light/buzzer gets your attention and then you check the panel to see what the issue is.
Wish list:
Find a water sensor useable for gasoline and add a "drain filter" alarm. This exists for Racor diesel filters now.
Find a vacuum switch set to about 3 inches and add to the fuel filter for a "clogged filter" alarm.

So, if I read this correctly, if any of the 6 systems has a problem, the Cole-Hersee buzzer will also sound, is this correct?
Tom

[ndutton]

Joe,

You're thinking as we did in the early stages but with every parameter we monitor comes added cost and that cost gets significant quickly.

[thatch]

Oops

Thank's for the clarification on the buzzer. As a side note, I counted the lights and came up with 6, no wonder my checkbook won't ballance.
Tom

[joe_db]

If anyone does find a water sensor, let me know. I totally hate draining the gas just to see what is in it.

[jpian0923]

Great Job!

[lat 64]

EWDS is rather hard to pronounce. How about DEWDS? Dutton Early Warning and Diagnostic System.

Nice work.

[yeahjohn]

Amazing product! Many thanks to Don and Neil!

[thatch]

Russ, Good call, since I consider myself an "A4 DEWD".
Tom

[hanleyclifford]

EWDS is rather hard to pronounce. How about DEWDS? Dutton Early Warning and Diagnostic System.

Nice work.

OTOH, we could call it NEWDS - Neil's Early Warning and Diagnostic System. But maybe that would be too California...

[romantic comedy]

Just call it a Dutton?

I got a red light on the Dutton?

[hanleyclifford]

OK, we jokers have had a little fun but in all seriousness we should recognize that this is a significant upgrade for the A4 fleet. In particular the raw water flow, fuel pressure and coil voltage are important functions heretofore neglected by most in the A4 fleet but on this forum we know how important these functons are. Commendations to Neil for this important move; it could take it's place alongside the original "Dutton Device".