Engine bay fire detection with video camera

I believe those things are intended for indoor operation, where the
ambient light isn't strong. Outside, with the engine bay doors open,
you're likely to be getting lots of false alarms.


On 10/10/20 5:26 PM, jfitch wrote:
Eric, the search terms "ir flame sensor" typed into Amazon or Google yields hundreds of results, starting at less than $5. They seem to have a broad angle of detection, a typical claim is sensing the flame from a cigarette lighter at 80 or 100 cm. Seems like it might be worth a try. I think a detector with an alarm is going to be more useful than having to scan a video during an already busy time.

Here for example, are 10 of them for $12 - a lifetime supply!

https://www.amazon.com/LGDehome-Infr...tronics&sr=1-1


On Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 9:54:55 AM UTC-7, Eric Greenwell wrote:
I don't trust the heat sensor on the right side of the engine bay to activate soon
enough to land safely, especially for fires caused by the bearings of the lower
propeller belt drive. It'd be easy to install a small video camera at the front of
the engine bay, and run the wires to a small display in the cockpit where it's
easily seen. This could be used on gas power and FES (for the battery compartment)
gliders. Has anyone tried this?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1

You can buy a car reversing camera that will run off a USB-to-go connector on just about any modern phone.

Install the cable ( usual 4mm USB size ) into the engine box to the cockpit. Perhaps low down and angled up. Plug in to your phone. If it's right you could even see the engine erect so leave it out if there's something wrong.

Some even have an LED light to illuminate a dark engine compartment.