Are any Conquest I owners with the old unreliable wet torque gauges interested in an affordable STC'd kit to convert to electric torque gauges with analog and digital display? Electronics International makes turbine engine instruments and I want to work with them to STC a kit to convert the Conquest I's that still have wet torque. EI's instruments look great and they are even working on a version that will log data and stream it via bluetooth to your phone. I don't know what the cost will be but I do know that Blackhawk charges about $20K for their kit not including installation. The EI version would need to be far cheaper than that considering installation will be about 50 hours (the wiring from the engine to the panel is not trivial). If anyone is interested please DM me. If I can line up a few interested people I think EI will be much more likely to take on the project.

https://vimeo.com/355646592

Probably the more difficult part than the indicator is the transducer. Do they make these? Also, it needs to be differential pressure. At least it does not need to be adjustable, like on a Garrett.

Correct Bill, the EI system uses two transducers (which they also make). One goes to the case reference pressure and the other to the torque pressure fitting. The dP calculation is done within the indicator.

Scott,

I bet you can add a number of customers that converted from the wet system as well. The transducers used in these systems are becoming increasingly unreliable and very hard to come by. We purchase several used serviceable units to find a good one for one customer and can not find anyone overhauling or repairing the early units.

Yes I was thinking of that. If the wiring is already in place the cost becomes much, much lower. And people upgrading from the Cessna electric torque would also get the digital presentation too. That's kind of nice.

Steve, I just checked and it looks possible to reuse the Cessna wiring if you wanted to install the EI electric torque system which saves about 50 man hours of labor. And Cessna has 21 new torque transducers in stock, at the oh so reasonable price of $8596 each. I am thinking that the entire kit including the indicators would be around that price. Maybe less.

Hey Scott,

I have the electric torque gauges. If the Cessna wiring can be used and we're talking the total price before install is less than $10K - Yes, I'm in.

Thanks,

John

OK John great! I am pushing EI to take on this project now. I'll let you know what happens. How's the plane?

Hey Scott,

Still loving the Conquest. Just had it painted at Murmer and got new carpet.

Aviation Consumer recently had the Conquest as their monthly subject of review. I thought they did a pretty good job. Yes, it’s a “starter” turboprop, but it sure works well for my mission.

Here’s a shameless plug for Scott: My wife is still loving the docking drawer in her bathroom. If anyone is building a new house or reconditioning a bathroom, take a look at Scott’s “DockingDrawer”. It’s a cool little device.

Update on the STC for electric torque on the Conquest. I've been talking to David at Electronics International and he says that technically it's possible to make a system that will utilize the same wiring as the Cessna electric torque system. That means no new wiring between the nacelle and the panel if you already have electric torque. If you have wet torque, of course you'll need to run new wires which I am told requires about 40 hours.

EI says that they have plans to STC their torque gauges but there's no timeline for that to happen. If people are interested in this system, I'd recommend e mailing EI. The best way to do that is send an e mail to support@iflyei.com. David has been my main contact. The more people that show interest, the higher priority they'll place on the project (hopefully).

I'd be interested.

OK James, if you don't mind please send an e mail to: support@iflyei.com and tell David that you're interested. Squeaky wheel gets the grease...