>SNIP<

Mine was purchased in Feb of 2002, and I'm pretty sure I don't have the light, unless it's infrared.  Maybe Ed just has good eyes :-)  Anyway, my unit has the plain grey display panel, with no writing on it, and it also has the larger square box. 

 

As for software, I don't know if yours will work with the EC-2 or not, but it certainly isn't the absolute latest version.  I'll have that via express mail tomorrow :-)

 

Cheers,

Rusty (I write this crap just for Todd <g>)

 

And on that subject, I just got back from my first flight test when I had time to really check out the latest version of the EC2 software and I am really stoaked!  It has always worked well but there are a few niggling characteristics that I've wanted to address.  One is the requirement to adjust the mixture control from lean to midrange when coming down from cruise to land.  Since this is standard practice on Lycomings I let it go up til now but I knew it could be better.  If you leave the mixture lean during low throttle operation (descending to land) the mixture tends to wander over a wide range (especially around the stagging point) and if it is too lean, there is an occasional stumble at certain throttle settings.    The new program code completely eliminates this and makes the EC2 as close to set & forget  as I had ever hoped.  Mixture stays dead on where it was set regardless of throttle jockying, aerobatics, etc.  There are also a couple of other improvements to the code but this one is the biggie.

 

The following excerpt from the latest setup & installation guide explains the problem  and the fix.  Rusty is the first lucky ginney pig, uhh , I mean customer to get this update.  (Will be in your hands on Thursday unless USPS blows it)

 

8-19-03  -  Dual MAP TABLE  

As of this date, the EC2 now has a dual rpm range MAP table.   Simply put, this means that two separate tables are used at low and high RPM.  The dividing line between these ranges is 2400 rpm.  The main reason for implementing this feature is to allow more accurate mapping of the mixture under all operating conditions.  

 

It is possible for the engine to see a low manifold pressure under two very different conditions.  The first is when idling.  At idle, the manifold pressure is in the range of 12 – 13” Hg. (18 – 17” if read on a vacuum gauge)  When on the ground with a propeller for a load, the manifold pressure will always be considerably higher when the engine is running at a significantly higher rpm than idle (typically 1300 – 1700 RPM)  The low RPM MAP table will cover this operating condition and is easily adjusted during ground operation with the propeller mounted to the engine..

 

When in-flight, the engine can see a very different condition.  If the aircraft is cruising at high altitude or is descending at low throttle, the engine will now be able to run well above 2400 rpm even at a low manifold pressures.  The mixture correction for this condition may be significantly different than what was called for at low rpm.  This is the reason for implementing the dual MAP table feature.   The selection of which  MAP table the EC2 uses is automatic and requires no action from the pilot.

 

Tracy