engine monitoring system/dash display
Discussion
I'm sticking with the 14CUX for the moment, and this doesn't provide any useful warning of faults. I'd like to be able to monitor various temps and pressures, and have alarms go off when these go out of range. I don't need the extra info on display all the time, just to be able to monitor charge temp, fuel pressure, EGT and so on and get a warning when anything goes out of range.
Now after intensive research, OK my Demon Tweeks catalogue fell open at that page, I see that Sparco do an eight channel digital display with threshold alarms for £500 or so. I know that SPA and Stack also do electronic dash systems with these features but even the cheapest of these is well outside my budget.
Anybody recommend any good alternatives?
Now after intensive research, OK my Demon Tweeks catalogue fell open at that page, I see that Sparco do an eight channel digital display with threshold alarms for £500 or so. I know that SPA and Stack also do electronic dash systems with these features but even the cheapest of these is well outside my budget.
Anybody recommend any good alternatives?
I have the SPA microdash sytem. It is good, but I do wish I had bought a dual system.
I run the Pro8 DTA ECU, but have to double up on sensors for both, unfortunately DTA brought out their dash system just after I had paid for the SPA dash.
The Motec system is probably the best, as an all rounder, unless you want to spend silly money and go for PI!
But I think it will come down to money, I think after toolings for sensor bosses, and wiring looms, Ive probably spent about £5k. You arent going to get much without spending some good money
I run the Pro8 DTA ECU, but have to double up on sensors for both, unfortunately DTA brought out their dash system just after I had paid for the SPA dash.
The Motec system is probably the best, as an all rounder, unless you want to spend silly money and go for PI!
But I think it will come down to money, I think after toolings for sensor bosses, and wiring looms, Ive probably spent about £5k. You arent going to get much without spending some good money
atom290 said:
But I think it will come down to money, I think after toolings for sensor bosses, and wiring looms, Ive probably spent about £5k.
I don't have that sort of budget to play with! Luckily, most of the sensors I want to monitor will be completely new so no need to double up the ones used by the ECU.
GreenV8S said:
The electronics ones can be programmed for warnings etc.
That sounds promising. Do you know what form the alarm output takes?
External output is 120ma max IIRC. Output can be switched from pulsed (to flash an LED) or just 'on' to drive a micro relay (I am going to use mine to turn on an oil cooler fan).
Warning LED on gauge face is independent of the external output. Both can be set for any temp/pressure. Downside (for me) is that its a straight on/off at the switch point, no on at 92 degrees and off at 88 (as with otter switch).
Quality s/steel sensor with own dedicated loom, bit short for my ultima but should be pleny of cable for front engined car...
top kit - recommended....
Haven't found the answer so far, any other suggestions?
The GDash and DTA systems look as if they're primarily intended to be used as a complete dashboard. I already have a full instrument panel and I'm looking for something unobtrusive that can either be added to the existing dashboard, or hidden away out of sight until needed.
One option is to get an aftermarket ECU system with lots of inputs and the ability to drive alarms off them. An advantage of this is that it would give me the ability to run mapped water injection, which I'm currently missing. But it still seems a bit of a waste of money because it's unlikely that I would ever use the main engine management features. The cheapest of these is still well in excess of £500.
I just begrudge paying all that money for something when all I really need is a couple of analogue thresholds and an A-to-D converter, component cost about £5. I don't want to take the 'home made' approach though because I've already got enough on my plate.
The GDash and DTA systems look as if they're primarily intended to be used as a complete dashboard. I already have a full instrument panel and I'm looking for something unobtrusive that can either be added to the existing dashboard, or hidden away out of sight until needed.
One option is to get an aftermarket ECU system with lots of inputs and the ability to drive alarms off them. An advantage of this is that it would give me the ability to run mapped water injection, which I'm currently missing. But it still seems a bit of a waste of money because it's unlikely that I would ever use the main engine management features. The cheapest of these is still well in excess of £500.
I just begrudge paying all that money for something when all I really need is a couple of analogue thresholds and an A-to-D converter, component cost about £5. I don't want to take the 'home made' approach though because I've already got enough on my plate.
A Pi system 2?
You might be able to pick one up out of a Tuscan that's changing/upgrading. I was about a day away from putting mine up on eBay and swapping for a Stack...before I added up the total cost of the swap and decided to stick with the Pi.
I think most of the 'later' Tuscans were built with Pi systems (anyone confirm if it was 'all', or just most?), but I think a few have changed to Stack systems or others.
Oh...and to hi-jack the thread a bit, after all the engine-type recording channels, I've got two spare channels. I do have a sender for steering angle, but never having used a data logger in anger for analysis, I'm not sure what's best. I'm guessing steering and throttle, but maybe steering and brake, or brake and throttle. Any comments on what the 2 most useful out of steering, throttle and brake - or any other ideals, like maybe suspension?
WB
You might be able to pick one up out of a Tuscan that's changing/upgrading. I was about a day away from putting mine up on eBay and swapping for a Stack...before I added up the total cost of the swap and decided to stick with the Pi.
I think most of the 'later' Tuscans were built with Pi systems (anyone confirm if it was 'all', or just most?), but I think a few have changed to Stack systems or others.
Oh...and to hi-jack the thread a bit, after all the engine-type recording channels, I've got two spare channels. I do have a sender for steering angle, but never having used a data logger in anger for analysis, I'm not sure what's best. I'm guessing steering and throttle, but maybe steering and brake, or brake and throttle. Any comments on what the 2 most useful out of steering, throttle and brake - or any other ideals, like maybe suspension?
WB
tvrolet said:
...and to hi-jack the thread a bit, after all the engine-type recording channels, I've got two spare channels. I do have a sender for steering angle, but never having used a data logger in anger for analysis, I'm not sure what's best. I'm guessing steering and throttle, but maybe steering and brake, or brake and throttle. Any comments on what the 2 most useful out of steering, throttle and brake - or any other ideals, like maybe suspension?
It all depends on why you intend to do with the data really. All the information you can get will be interesting, but may not be very useful.
You say you are recording all things engine related but go on to mention throttle. Are you not already measuring it's position?
We're running a DTA ECU (I forget which one) and a full PI system that we "aquired". We felt that any off the shelf LCD dash would have been inappropriate (ie too expensive) for us so we decided to just assemble the parts we needed (gear number, revs, warning lights etc).
The PI system is monitoring all the variables mentioned above, plus lateral and longitudinal inertia and all damper movement. Which is nice...
>> Edited by Frik on Monday 20th December 01:38
Frik said:
You say you are recording all things engine related but go on to mention throttle. Are you not already measuring it's position?
I've got 'G' for circuit mapping, RPM, Speed, Oil prssure, oil temp, water temp and fuel pressure - and 2 spare channels I'm not sure what to do with. Throttle and brake seems a good idea, bit steering might be interesting, or suspension...so many choices - so few channels
WB
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