Gregg,
If that's the case(44 seconds) why are engines starting in conventional . No commands are given.
They shouldn't. Obviously, something in Bob's layout, TIU and/or engines isn't quite right. Regardless, there's nothing "confusing" about this at all.
5 seconds is an eternity in terms of the speed of electronic components. For the purposes of the watchdog signal, the difference between 5 seconds and 44 seconds is of no consequence.