J.P. Instruments FS-450 Manual

Pilot’s Guide
Fuel Scan
FS-450
Copyright 2002 J.P. Instruments, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Printed in the United States of America
J.P.INSTRUMENTS Inc.
Information: P. O. Box 7033
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Factory: 3185-B Airway Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 557-3805 Fax (714) 557-9840
www.jpinstruments.com
Rev G
2/19/2013

Table of Contents
Section 1 - Introduction 1
Product Features 1
Fuel Management 1
Section 2 - Displays and Controls 2
Section 3 - Modes and Alarms 4
Modes 4
Alarms 4
Section 4 - Operation 5
Diagnostic Testing on Startup and During Flight 5
Parameter Indexing 7
Section 5 - Personalizing 8
Pilot Programming 8
Section 6 - Setting the K factor 11
FS-450 Set Up 13
Fuel Measurement Units, Fuel Capacity, Alarm Limits 15
Section 7 - Data Formats, Diagnostics 17
Navigation Data Input Formats 17
Setting GPS-C Communications Output Format 18
Section 8 - Rear Panel Connector Pin Assignments 19
Section 9 - Technical Support 20
Limited Warranty 20
Index 21

Section 1 - Introduction
Product Features
Fuel quantity measured in gallons,
liters, or pounds
Low fuel quantity alarm
Low fuel time alarm
GPS interface—bi-directional
serial interface
Automatic K-factor calculation
Solid-state pulse generating rotor
fuel flow transducer
Instantaneous fuel flow rate
Total amount of fuel consumed
Total fuel remaining
Time to empty at the current fuel
flow rate
Fuel Management
Without a means of measuring fuel flow, you must rely on the
aircraft fuel gauges or total time of flight. Aircraft fuel gauges are
notoriously inaccurate (they are only required by the FAA to read
accurately when displaying empty). And measuring time of flight is
only an approximation, and assumes a constant fuel flow rate for
each phase of flight.
The FS-450 Fuel Scan uses a small turbine transducer that
measures the fuel flowing into the engine. Higher fuel flow causes
the transducer turbine to rotate faster which generates a faster pulse
rate. Because the transducer turbine generates thousands of pulses
per gallon of fuel, it can measure with high resolution the amount
of fuel that the engine has consumed. Prior to engine start you
inform the FS-450 Fuel Scan of the known quantity of fuel aboard,
and it will keep track of all fuel used.
For fuel calculations to be accurate, it is imperative that you inform
the FS-450 of the correct amount of fuel aboard the aircraft. Do not
rely on fuel flow instruments to determine fuel levels in tanks. Refer
to original fuel flow instrumentation for primary information.

Page 2 FS-450 Fuel Scan
Section 2 - Displays and Controls
The FS-450 helps you manage your fuel. There are three
components of the user interface:
Digital display for numeric readouts and messages: top display
is fuel flow per hour and the lower display for all other
parameters.
Indicator lights to show what information is being displayed on
the digital display
Two front panel operating buttons: STEP and AUTO

For Your Safe Flight Page 3
Two operating buttons control all functions of the FS-450.
The term tap will be used to denote pressing a button momentarily.
The term hold will be used to denote pressing and holding a button
for five seconds or longer.
STEP Button
Located on the lower left side near the instrument face.
Tapping the STEP button will stop Automatic Indexing
and change to the Manual indexing mode. Then each
tap of the STEP button will display the next parameter
in the sequence.
Holding the STEP button will display the previous
parameters in the sequence (rapidly backwards).
In the programming procedures, described on page 8,
tapping the STEP button will advance to the next item
in the list.
When an alarm is displayed, tapping the STEP button
will temporarily delete that alarm from appearing for
the next ten minutes.
When an alarm is displayed, holding the STEP button
until the word appears will delete that alarm
from appearing for the remainder of the flight.
AUTO button
Located on the lower right side near the instrument face.
The AUTO button will begin the Automatic Indexing
Mode.
In the pilot programming procedure, holding or tapping
the AUTO button is used to increment or decrement
parameter values and toggle between yes and no
answers to questions.

Page 4 FS-450 Fuel Scan
STEP and AUTO buttons
Holding both the STEP and AUTO buttons
simultaneously for five seconds changes to the pilot
programming procedure.
Section 3 - Modes and Alarms
Modes
There are two standard operating modes of the FS-450: Automatic
Indexing, and Manual Indexing. Most of the time you will
operate the FS-450 in the Automatic indexing mode. When you
first turn on the power the FS-450 starts in the Manual indexing
mode, but will enter the Automatic indexing mode after a minute.
Tapping the AUTO button will begin the Automatic Indexing
Mode. The indicator lights show you what is being displayed in the
lower digital display.
Alarms
The FS-450 has programmable alarms. When the remaining
amount of fuel falls below the alarm limit the lower display will
show the amount of fuel REMaining and the REM indicator light
will flash.
When the remaining time falls below the alarm limit the lower
display will show the MINutes of fuel remaining and the H.M.
indicator light will flash.
When an alarm is displayed, tapping the STEP button will
temporarily disable the alarm indication for the next ten minutes.
When an alarm is displayed, holding the STEP button until the
word appears will disable that alarm indication for the
remainder of the flight.

For Your Safe Flight Page 5
Section 4 - Operation
Diagnostic Testing on Startup and During Flight
When your FS-450 is first turned on, all digits light up in each
display for a short time, permitting you to check for non-functional
segments. Then the FS-450 tests internal components, and integrity
of the system.
Start Up Fuel
After initial self-test, you will be asked to inform the FS-450 of
start up fuel. The FS-450 will display (or
or ) for one second, and then flash until any
button is pressed.
During flight you may also inform the FS-450 of startup fuel using
the pilot program mode, beginning on page 8, if you forgot to do so
at start up.
Refer to the column in the chart below corresponding to your fuel
tank configuration. Tap the AUTO button to select one of the four
following fueling choices on the left column of the chart.
AUTO to
chooseMain tanks
only, no tabs Main tanks
with tabs Main & Auxiliary tanks
Did not add any fuel since last shutdown.
*Topped the
main tanks. Filled only
to the tabs. Topped the main tanks. Input the
amount of fuel that is currently in the
auxiliary tanks when
is displayed
*(not
applicable) Topped the
main tanks. Topped both the main and
auxiliary tanks.
Did not top, but added additional fuel to the aircraft, or
removed fuel from the aircraft.

Page 6 FS-450 Fuel Scan
* These values are examples and will be customized for your
aircraft.
Then tap the STEP button to complete the entry and advance to
the Manual indexing mode.
Adding Fuel and Auxiliary Tanks
main tank
auxiliary tank
main tank with tab
tab
Auxiliary capacity
Main capacity
If your aircraft has tank fill tabs and no auxiliary tanks, you can use
the auxiliary tank feature to select either filling to the tank tabs or
topping the tank. See “Main Tank Capacity” and “Auxiliary
Tanks” beginning on page 16 to program the FS-450 for this
feature. The FS-450 does not differentiate fuel flow between the
main and auxiliary tanks; it considers only total fuel in the aircraft.
If you added less than full fuel, then tap AUTO to select
. Then tap STEP. The next display will ask you
how much you added: (or selected units). Hold the
AUTO button to count up, tap the AUTO button to count down.
The count up will stop at full tanks, since you cannot add more fuel
than would top the tanks. Tap STEP to complete the entry and
advance to the Manual indexing mode.
If you removed fuel from the aircraft or wish to correct the total
quantity of fuel on board, you can “add” a negative amount of fuel.

For Your Safe Flight Page 7
Accumulate Total—Trip Total
You may either display total fuel used
since the last time you informed the FS-450 that the aircraft
was refueled, or
for an extended trip with multiple fuel stops.
This selection affects only the USD parameter. How to select
whether to accumulate for a extended trip or reset at each refueling
is described in “Pilot Programming” beginning on page 8.
Resetting “USED”
Every time you inform the FS-450 that the aircraft is refueled, the
amount of fuel used is set to zero, unless the instrument is
programmed to accumulate for an extended trip. The display of
fuel used pertains only to the fuel used since the last time you
informed the FS-450 that the aircraft was refueled.
In the manual mode with USD displayed, holding the AUTO
button for three seconds will reset the amount used to 0.
Parameter Indexing
The FS-450 steps through the engine parameters in a specific
sequence. Listed below is the indexing sequence, parameter
description and example of the digital display. The display will
pause at each parameter for a few seconds in the Automatic
indexing mode. In the Manual indexing mode, tap the STEP
button to advance to next parameter. Holding the STEP button
will display the previous parameters in the sequence (rapidly
backwards).

Page 8 FS-450 Fuel Scan
Parameter Indexing Sequence
Fuel flow rate is always shown on the top display.
Fuel Flow Rate Single I3.5 GPH (or LPH, or PPH)
Fuel Flow Rate Twin 14.4 13.7 GPH (or LPH, or PPH)
The lower display shows the following parameters in this
sequence.
Parameter
Description Example Comments
USD—Total Fuel Used 38.2 Since last refueling or trip total.
REM—Fuel Remaining 37.2 In gallons, liters or pounds
H.M.—Time to Empty 02.45 Hours . Minutes Remaining at
current fuel burn
REQ—Fuel required to next
GPS WPT or Destination 25.8 Present with GPS interface
Valid signal and way point
RES—Fuel Reserve at next
GPS WPT or Destination 1
1.3 Present with GPS interface
Valid signal and way point
MPG (both REQ & RES
lights)—Nautical Miles per
Gal
13.0 Present with GPS interface and
valid signal or MPL, MPP
Note that liter and pound parameters are displayed as whole
numbers without the decimal point.
Section 5 - Personalizing
Pilot Programming
Setting Tank SIZE for the first time. Hold the STEP button in and
power up to see and set size.
You can program the Automatic Indexing rate (1 to 9 second wait
periods or 0 for no Automatic Indexing), the K-factor, and whether
to accumulate fuel used or reset at each refueling.
To start the Pilot Programming Procedure, simultaneously hold the
STEP and AUTO buttons for five seconds. You will see the words
for two seconds and then the sequence

For Your Safe Flight Page 9
shown in the chart below. Tap the STEP button to advance to the
next item in the list. Tap the AUTO button to select alternate
values of that item.
Tap STEP to
advance to the
next item
Tap AUTO
to sequence Comments
Y—Yes—to change fuel status (see page 5
…Indexing rate in the Automatic Indexing
Mode. Selecting 0, disables the Automatic
Indexing Mode.
Used to set and fine tune the K factor. To
adjust the K-factor, hold both STEP and
AUTO buttons for five seconds.
Twin Engine Only
Twin Engine Only
N—No—manual K-factor entry. See “Setting
the K-factor Manually,” below.
Y—Yes—enters automatic K-factor mode.
See “Setting the K-factor Automatically,”
below.
N—No—Upon informing the FS-450 that
you refueled the aircraft, reset total fuel
used to 0.
Y—Yes—accumulate total fuel used rather
than reset to 0.
…GPS Com Format.
See page 18
…Dim brightness 0 through 31. Hold a double
piece of black electrical tape over the photo
sensor on the left side of the display to set.
Y—Yes to exit; N—No to review list again.

Page 10 FS-450 Fuel Scan
Start Up Fuel
During flight you may also inform the FS-450 of startup fuel using
the pilot program mode. See page 5 for the steps to take to set the
start up fuel if you did not set it during power up.
Indexing Rate
In the automatic mode the display will automatically index through
each parameter and pause for a period of time. The pause time can
be set from between 1 and 9 seconds. Set the rate to 0 to inhibit the
automatic indexing mode.
Fuel Flow Parameters
The pilot may set three parameters:
K Factor—the fuel flow transducer calibration constant.
Accumulate for extended trip—default is OFF: reset the fuel
used to 0 every time you inform the FS-450 that the aircraft
was refueled. With accumulate ON fuel used will not be reset
to 0 when you inform the FS-450 that the aircraft was refueled.
GPS Communications fuel data format.
K Factor
The K factor is shown on the fuel flow transducer as a four digit
number, which is the number of pulses generated per gallon of fuel
flow. Before installing the transducer, write down the K factor
here _________, Right_______. To enter the number, move the
decimal point three places to the left. For example if the K factor
on the fuel flow transducer is 29,123 pluses/Gal, enter 29.12 in the
K factor parameter.
The K factor can be changed in the pilot programming procedure.
When the K factor is changed during a trip, calculations of fuel

For Your Safe Flight Page 11
used, fuel remaining and time to empty are not retroactively
recalculated.
Fine Tuning the K Factor
The K factor shown on the fuel flow transducer does not take into
account your aircraft’s particular installation. Fuel hose diameters
and lengths, elbows, fittings and routing can cause the true K factor
to be different from that shown on the fuel flow transducer.
Section 6 - Setting the K factor
Use the following procedure to determine the new K factor.
1. Make at least three flights of about two to three hours each.
Note the actual fuel used (as determined by topping the tanks)
and the FS-450 calculation of the fuel consumed for each
flight.
Flight Fuel USeD shown by
FS-450 Actual fuel used by
topping tanks
1
2
3
Total
2. Total the FS-450 fuel used and the actual fuel used.
3. Record the current K factor here ____________________ and
in the table below.
4. Calculate the New K Factor as follows:
New K Factor = (FS-450 fuel USeD) x(Current K factor)
(actual fuel used)
New K Factor = ()x()
()

Page 12 FS-450 Fuel Scan
Every time you fine tune the K factor, record the measurements
here:
Date
FS-450
fuel USeD
actual
fuel used
Current K
factor New K
factor
=
x
/
Pilot’s
initials
If you haven’t already done so, start the pilot programming
procedure, simultaneously hold the STEP and AUTO buttons for
five seconds. You will see the words for two
seconds.
1. Tap STEP button twice to advance to the display
2. Press STEP button. First digit blinks: 29.00
3. Tap or Hold the AUTO button to change flashing digit: 19.00
4. Tap STEP button for next digit: 19.00
5. Tap or Hold the AUTO button to change flashing digit: 18.00
6. Tap STEP button for next digit: 18.00
7. Repeat items 6 and 7 for the remaining digit.
8. To exit, hold STEP and AUTO buttons simultaneously for five
seconds.
Setting the Accumulate Extended Trip Total
Select “no” if you wish to display total fuel used since the last time
you informed the FS-450 that the aircraft was refueled. Select
“yes” to display total fuel used for an extended trip with multiple
fuel stops. This selection affects only the USD parameter.

For Your Safe Flight Page 13
Setting the GPS-C Comm settings
The GPS-C setting selects the format of the fuel data output of the
FS-450. See “Setting GPS-C Communications Output Format” on
page 18
GPS-C Input to GPS; output of FS-450
0 No fuel data output
1 * Garmin (Shadin Miniflow format) (to waypoint)
2 * Allied Signal (format B) (to waypoint)
3 Arnav/EI fuel data (to waypoint)
4 Allied Signal (format C) (to waypoint)
5 (Not used)
6 Garmin 430/530/295, UPS fuel/air data (to WAYPOINT)
7 Garmin 430/530/295, UPS fuel/air data (to DESTINATION)
8 Allied Signal (to DESTINATION)
* Recommended formats.
Setting the Dim Level
The display will dim when the ambient light is low. This
adjustment sets the dim display level. It has no effect on the bright
display level. The dim level may be set from very low—0—to
bright—31. Hold a doubled over piece of black electrical tape (or a
similar opaque strip) over the photo sensor that is on the left side of
the display to dim the display (450 single only)
FS-450 Set Up
Factory Default Set Up
The factory default fuel measurement units are gallons and the
alarm limits are 45 minutes for the low time alarm, and 10 gallons
for the low fuel alarm. The K-factor default is K=29.00 (29,000).

Page 14 FS-450 Fuel Scan
Changing the FS-450 Set Up
You may need to change the fuel measurement units, the fuel tank
capacity, and may prefer to set your own alarm limits. Follow the
procedure outlined below to change any of the factory default
settings.
To start the Set Up procedure, after power up, wait until the
FS-450 completes its self test and is in the Automatic or Manual
indexing mode. If in doubt, tap the STEP button a few times. Then
follow the steps illustrated below. The display will then sequence
as shown in the chart below. Tap the STEP button to advance to
the next item in the list. Tap the AUTO button to select alternate
values of that item. Hold AUTO button to increase a numerical
value; tap the AUTO button to decrease a numerical value.
Procedure—Changing the Set Up:
Hold both
buttons for 5
seconds until
the words
Tap STEP
button until
the words
Hold both
buttons for 5
seconds until
the words
Setting Tank SIZE for the first time. Hold the STEP button in
and power up to see and set size or use procedure below.
Tap STEP to
next item
Hold or tap AUTO to
sequence through these
values Description
Selects fuel units
Hold or tap AUTO to
select main capacity Main tank capacity, in units
selected
Y—Yes—aircraft has
auxiliary tanks (next step)

For Your Safe Flight Page 15
Hold or tap AUTO to
select AUX capacity Auxiliary tank capacity
(skipped if AUX? is no)
Hold or tap AUTO to
select low time limit Alarm limit in minutes for
low time in tanks
Hold or tap AUTO to
select low quantity
limit
Alarm limit for low fuel
quantity in tanks, in units
selected
Y—Yes—carbureted
engine will go to the next
step
F = 1, 2 or 3 Higher is smoother filter
Y—Yes— has fuel return
transducer
Y—Yes to exit; N—No to
review list again
Fuel Measurement Units, Fuel Capacity, Alarm Limits
Fuel Measurement Units
Selects the units in all parameters where fuel quantity or fuel rate is
displayed. If you change this parameter, it does not change the
numerical value of the fuel tank capacity. You must do this
manually. For example if you change from Gal. to Lbs., the tank
capacity will be interpreted as 50 Lbs. rather than 50 gallons; the
FS-450 will not convert 50 Gal to equivalent pounds.

Page 16 FS-450 Fuel Scan
Main Tank Capacity
Enter the total capacity of the main tanks in the fuel flow units
selected. If you have tank tabs (but no auxiliary tanks) and
sometimes fill only to the tabs, set the main tank capacity to the
capacity up to the tabs.
Auxiliary Tanks
If you do not have auxiliary tanks or tank tabs, answer “No.” If you
answer “Yes,” you will be asked to input the capacity of the
auxiliary tanks in the fuel flow units selected. If you have tank tabs
and sometimes fill only to the tabs, set the auxiliary tank capacity
to the difference between full tank capacity and tab capacity. The
FS-450 does not differentiate fuel flow between the main and
auxiliary tanks; it tracks only total fuel in the aircraft.
Low Time Alarm Limit
Select the value of the time remaining, in minutes, that triggers the
alarm. Time remaining is calculated at the current fuel flow rate.
Low Fuel Alarm Limit
Select the value of the fuel remaining, in the selected fuel flow
units, that triggers the alarm. Fuel remaining is calculated at the
current fuel flow rate.
Carburetor?
Different response filters are used depending on whether your
engine is carbureted or fuel injected. The filters for a carbureted
engine have a slower response time to reduce sudden fluctuations
in readings. Select F=1, 2 or 3 where higher number is more
smoothing. Pick the lowest number that gives steady readings.
Fuel Return Transducer?
Single fuel flow transducer installations should have this parameter
set to No. If your installation is equipped with an additional fuel
flow transducer for return fuel, set this parameter to Yes.

For Your Safe Flight Page 17
Section 7 - Data Formats, Diagnostics
Navigation Data Input Formats
Output of GPS; input to FS-450. The FS-450 automatically
configures itself for one of three industry standard data formats:
Format Baud rt
NMEA-183
(Marine
Navigation
Data Format)
4,800 This is the format for most handheld GPS
receivers. Loran must have sentences RMA &
RMB. GPS must have sentences RMB & RMC.
Aviation Data
Format 9,600 “Output sentence type 1” Required sentences
are: A, B, C, D, E, I and L first character identifier
byte. Sentence terminator may be either
<CR><LF> or <CR> alone.
Northstar 1,200 M1 setup select “NO EXTENDED”, “NAV ONLY”

Page 18 FS-450 Fuel Scan
Setting GPS-C Communications Output Format
GPS-C Input to GPS; output of FS-450
0 No fuel data output
1 * Garmin (Shadin Miniflow format) (to waypoint)
2 * Allied Signal (format B) (to waypoint)
3 Arnav/EI fuel data (to waypoint)
4 Allied Signal (format C) (to waypoint)
5 (Not used)
6 Garmin 430/530/295, UPS fuel/air data (to WAYPOINT)
7 Garmin 430/530/295, UPS fuel/air data (to DESTINATION)
8 Allied Signal (to DESTINATION)
* Recommended formats.
GPS Interface Diagnostic Messages
Parameters REQ - RES - MPG are
all missing from the scan. No communications from GPS
receiver to FS-450. Possibly no
connection or aircraft GPS is off,
or GPS not enabled to output data.
message and parameters
REQ - RES - MPG are missing
from scan.
Communications are received by
FS-450 and the Auto-Protocol
setup is in process. Verify correct
output format setup in GPS
receiver; check GPS connections.
message and
parameters REQ - RES - MPG are
missing from scan.
GPS receiver has insufficient
signal for valid data.
message and parameters
REQ - RES are missing from
scan.
No waypoints are programmed
into the aircraft GPS receiver.
replaces REQ or RES Your ground track is more than
70° from your course to the next
GPS waypoint.
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