OptiFuel - Fly Without Fear of Running On Empty

[OptiFuel]

OptiFuel is a fuel management system for sport aircraft. It is panel mounted and fits in a standard 2 1/4 inch(57mm) hole.

It provides the pilot with a wide variety of information such as what RANGE can be achieved and your RESERVE flying time once you reach your destination. This is calculated per second which allows you to trim your throttle setting to optimise the fuel consumption with ease. Both these functions require a signal from your GPS in order for the flight computer to know your ground speed and distance to destination. The instrument will also display TIME left based on your current fuel consumption, TANK (no. of litres left in tank) as well as FLOW rate in litres per hour.

For more information please visit http://www.optifuel.co.za/

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

[Learjet]

I fitted an Optifuel fuel management system to my Magni gyro a couple of months ago and I've got to say I'm impressed! I did have some initial niggles getting my gps (Garmin 196) to "talk" to the Optifuel unit, but an upgraded replacement chip for the unit rectified this immediately. I have now evaluated the fuel flow / consumption on a number of cross-country flights and the accuracy surpassed my expectations.

I've found Optifuel particularly useful for accurately determining optimum fuel flow efficiency on longer flights, with the GPS interface also enabling calculations for "range" and "reserve" flying time at destination.
Easy to install, easy to use ("one button" operation) and big peace of mind when flying!

Anyway, thought I'd just give a report back and a thumbs-up to Jean-Pierre and Stephane at Optifuel!

[OptiFuel]

Thank you Learjet for the pictures and illustrations. I am very pleased that you are happy with the performance of the instrument and I take pleasure in offering a R500 off sale rate to microlighters.co.za members for the month of April only.

Regards,
Stephane

[nicow]

Stephane
I installed my Optifuel instrument,but it does'nt show the fuel flow.The gauge goes on,but thats all.I do not use it with a GPS,I just want the fuel flow funktion.

[OptiFuel]

Hi Nico, Good to hear from you. If I remember correctly you are one of my first customers that I sold to over a year ago. Have you only managed to install now?;)

Does the instrument show nothing on the display, that is just the green back light with no info?

[nicow]

Stephane
I only installed it about a week ago.
Thanks for the tel.call.
I'll test it on Wednessdayand let you know.

[OptiFuel]

Hi Nico,

After our discussion this afternoon it is confirmed that the instrument displays the information but does not detect any flow. For example "Flow 00"

So the instrument display works, we just need to confirm the sensor is wired properly to the instrument and that there is a good connection to the PCB terminal block. Also, if you remove the sensor from the rubber fuel line and you blow through it you should be able to hear the turbine spinning and the flow rate change on the display. The sensor connections: The red wire connects to +, blue to FD and the bare wire to -. Please give me a call and let me know if it is resolved or not.

Also please note that our latest data on the calibration parameters is A59 B200. This is working well on the Rotax 912/4 but might need to be modified for your engine. Let me know about your results and I will help you calibrate.

Regards,
Stephane

[johnsa]

What were the results Nico or are you still not done yet with your installing

[nicow]

The Optifuel system on my trike is still not working. I think the fuel flow part might be faulty Do you keep stock of the fuel flow gadget,& can I order one?

[OptiFuel]

Hi Nico,

You have had no luck from the beggining and this is a pity. This has been dragging on for over 2 years now and there is nothing I can do for you until I receive the complete system including the flow sensor if you would like me to check or repair the system. If you blow through the flow sensor and you can hear the turbine spin then it could be something as simple as a faulty connection.If you would like to communicate further please contact me at 20002353@yebo.co.za

Regards,
Stephane

[nicow]

Stephane,I'll take the instrument out,and bring it to you.
Thanks

[OptiFuel]

Thanks Nico, Please don't forget the flow sensor. I am based in JHB now and not north of Pretoria.

[nicow]

Stephane,I'll go to Jhb tomorrow if you are available.

[OptiFuel]

Sure, please call me on 0741152891 for directions

[nicow]

Stephane
Thanks for the help,and the new sensor.The Optifuel meter is now working 100%