Metal Chip Detector

[Nomis]

Stumbled across this neat little device. Looks like a neat gadget for the obsessive types:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/chipdetect.php

 

[RavenTai]

it could be done a lot cheaper, you are paying for a paper work and espeically thier STC (Suplimental Type Certificate) also not metric threads

 

[tarbe]

Oil analysis!! 10 - 20 bucks a pop and you get a whole lot more (quantified) information.

 

[Nomis]

I think this was more along the lines of a "real time" notification that something is wrong. The concept itself seems neat idea - you could place sensors wherever you wanted - in the oil pan, trans, diffs, transaxle.

 

[tarbe]

I think this was more along the lines of a "real time" notification that something is wrong. The concept itself seems neat idea - you could place sensors wherever you wanted - in the oil pan, trans, diffs, transaxle.

I understand....my point is you are better served in an automotive application to have baseline and periodic data from oil analysis to monitor engine wear. Catostrophic failure with no early warning (that could have been detected months/years earlier through analysis) is pretty rare...although I did have an oil pump failure in a Fiat once....'course you know those Italian cars!

Catostrophic failure in an aviation situation can be fatal, so $300 for an hour's notice is worth it. If I am within an hour of catostrophic failure in my 1FZ, I will be banging my head for not doing a couple of $15 oil analyses over the prior year.

Neat gadget, I'm just talking out loud. Not to poo-poo your find.

 

[John E Davies]

I agree with the other posts - the chip detector is really designed to alert the pilot that he needs to check something out without delay. Nuisance chip indications are really common - usually it's just a little fuzz buildup. Some private aircraft (and all military aircraft, I think) have a mode that puts high current through the chip detector to burn off the fuzz. If the light stays on afterwards, the pilot needs to do some serious thinking. If the light is on a helicopter main or tail rotor gearbox, you can bet the farm that the pilot will set down ASAP to inspect the detector. They are quickly removed without losing any oil.

I think the best solution for trucks is oil analysis combined with magnetic drain plugs. It can be informative to cut open the filter to see what is accumulating on the filter media, but that is uncommon except in the aircraft industry. It's really messy too...

John

 

[Nomis]

Neat gadget, I'm just talking out loud. Not to poo-poo your find.

No problem.

 

[RavenTai]

Nuisance chip indications are really common - usually it's just a little fuzz buildup...............

I think the best solution for trucks is oil analysis combined with magnetic drain plugs. It can be informative to cut open the filter to see what is accumulating on the filter media, but that is uncommon except in the aircraft industry. It's really messy too...

John

Agreed

That is basically the direction modern commercial aircraft have taken, they no longer have flight deck indication on chip detectors, magnetic chip detectors are placed in the oil stream of the engine and checked periodically, magnetic drain plugs are in the starter and IDG (generator) are checked when their fluid is drained. Engine oil is never changed just topped off daily. Warning of impending failure is left to vibration and temperature monitors.

All removed filters are inspected, they are cartridge type no need to cut. Oil samples are sometimes taken for analysis, "SOAP Sample" I can’t remember the acronym meaning.

That is where I am going with the 80 also, I do oil analysis and cut open the filters. It is no more messy than the rest of the oil change, I am trying to find a Samarium Cobalt magnet (SMCO) about .375" to .400" diameter to epoxy to the drain plug, length can be as long as 4" and not hit any obstructions but should probably be limited to 1", not sure epoxy would reliably hold any longer,

You can buy magnetic drain plugs for the engine, “super plugs” they use the cheaper Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) magnets witch are very strong but loose their strength quickly in high temperatures such as an engine. NdFeB magnets have a working temp of 80 to 200 C, SMCO magnets have a working temp of 250 to 375 C

The rest of the drain plugs on the 80 are already magnetic,