STE Performance Parameters Display (PPD) installation and use

[Doug@FrankenTurbo]

This has got me curious on how you are going about doing the different boost maps. Are you essentially putting your module in-line between the ECU and the N75, and attenuating the duty cycle signal by multiplying it by a scalar (essentially scaling the KFLDRL map)?

I haven't done anything with the PPD's boost control mapping. Running Eurodyne allows me that within the ECU. The shortcoming of boost control within the ECU is PID control is lost above 22.6psi. For a while I tinkered with the boost control functionality in BoostManager (I mean, the name kind of dictates I at least try). But I couldn't get my head around the PID instructions and went back to good ole Maestro.

[Doug@FrankenTurbo]

After I discovered the Eurodyne BoostManager's fuel pump "bug", C.Tapp changed the program to remedy it. So with the PPD now able to monitor fuel pressure, I tested the pump control via BoostManager. Here's what I saw:



I was interested to see that the bigger pump flows a bit too much for the fpr to, well, regulate. At least at idle that's the case. I need to log the car WOT to see what's happening at increased fuel flow.

[Doug@FrankenTurbo]

Well, with the in-line pump engaged it appears that the pressure delta persists throughout the power range. I'd had no idea this was happening. But it explains the fuel trims always pulling back the injectors at top end.

[britishturbo]

I just want to give this thread a bump by saying that I think I'm going to buy one in the new year...
I think the logging ability will be very useful and the boost control sounds very tempting.

[MileMan402]

I just want to give this thread a bump by saying that I think I'm going to buy one in the new year...
I think the logging ability will be very useful and the boost control sounds very tempting.

You can check it out in my car at the end of the month! I didn't get the boost controller though.

[britishturbo]

You can check it out in my car at the end of the month! I didn't get the boost controller though.

Sweet!

[Doug@FrankenTurbo]

After getting the buggy fuel pump sorted, the PPD logger can now show how well the fuel pressure mirrors boost. In this graph I have the two vertical axes scaled so that the two curves overlay one another. Also, the data points are marked, which shows the nicely fast refresh rate.

[tjb616]

Really intrigued by this product. Does anyone have an idea if an ethenol content analyzer can be hooked up to display via this device?

Has anyone played with the live adjustable boost settings yet?

[zillarob]

I would thnk so, should be able to hook anything with a 0-5v output to it.

[tjb616]

Admittedly Im not very savy when it comes to the details of how these gauges work. But its my understanding that products like the zeitronix eca hooks up to any sensor and gives the readout on its display. Would I need to buy their display (does it have any function that allows it to decode the reading, in other words) or will a gm sensor set straight to this unit give me a readout? Sorry for the primitive and semi-ot questions, dont want to clutter this thread too much but it would be a huge selling point for me.

[Doug@FrankenTurbo]

Sorry for the primitive and semi-ot questions, dont want to clutter this thread too much but it would be a huge selling point for me.

On the contrary to being clutter, these are really good questions. Until now I didn't even know such a thing existed. Can you give us a link or two for research? Because this is just the kind of capability the PPD should incorporate.

Thanks for the idea.

[4ringAR]

^^^good info right here:
http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/ECA/ECA.shtml

[zillarob]

I havent played with the PPD software yet but would be nice to have a custom sensor calibration dialog for running custom sensors.
Guessing you have some demo units out to a few select individuals who could prob set this up pretty easily.

This is how motec does it. Pretty simple, just give it a name, transfer the voltage/values from the sensors data sheet, and off to the races!

[jibberjive]

As is, without it being custom set up to do the 'translation' of the ethanol content sensor, it won't work with those sensors. The ethanol sensors don't have a simple 0-5v output like the auxiliary inputs of the ppd require, rather the sensor outputs a PWM signal that tells both the ethanol content and the fuel temperature. I agree, would be awesome to have this functionality built in.

[britishturbo]

As is, without it being custom set up to do the 'translation' of the ethanol content sensor, it won't work with those sensors. The ethanol sensors don't have a simple 0-5v output like the auxiliary inputs of the ppd require, rather the sensor outputs a PWM signal that tells both the ethanol content and the fuel temperature. I agree, would be awesome to have this functionality built in.

So we just need to make a conversion board that outputs 0-5V ;-)

[tjb616]

http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/ECA/ECA.shtml

That translation is exactly what I was afraid of / talking about. Its a bummer that it wont save me a couple hundred bucks to help justify the purchase of this but I will probably try to make it work just for cleanliness.

Is the conversion board a replacement for the translator or to go between the translator and this product to make it read on the dash? Next question, who knows how to make one!?

[Doug@FrankenTurbo]

Holy cow. I hadn't realized what you were talking about until you posted that link. What a terrific data-collection idea this is! I notice it's got an output to a gauge, which makes me think it will do a 0-5v output. That gauge probably works on that basis. I am very interested in testing for this.

[tjb616]

If you need a car try it with, Im going to try this after the holidays are wrapped up. Already have my E85 parts and a tuner lined up. Just need to pick up this tool and the ECA.

[britishturbo]

I could probably make a board that would take the signal from the Ethanol sensor and output a 0-5V signal... Now if only I had a unit to play with :-P

[tjb616]

Do you just need the sensor?

[britishturbo]

Well I was thinking a PPD unit too but yes I'd need a sensor lol ;-)

[tjb616]

I meant would you need the Zeitronix unit to reference as well.

[britishturbo]

I meant would you need the Zeitronix unit to reference as well.

That would probably be a good idea yes

[Doug@FrankenTurbo]

I meant would you need the Zeitronix unit to reference as well.

At first blush it looks as though you'd need both the sensor and the gauge. The latter component outputs "analog 0-5v" which is the ticket to getting the PPD to log and report. Judging by their scaling map, it's just a straightforward linear output. So it looks doable...if a bit pricey.

[britishturbo]

At first blush it looks as though you'd need both the sensor and the gauge. The latter component outputs "analog 0-5v" which is the ticket to getting the PPD to log and report. Judging by their scaling map, it's just a straightforward linear output. So it looks doable...if a bit pricey.

I'm going to look into making a board that would convert the square wave from the sensor into a 0-5V output... :-)

[britishturbo]

At first blush it looks as though you'd need both the sensor and the gauge. The latter component outputs "analog 0-5v" which is the ticket to getting the PPD to log and report. Judging by their scaling map, it's just a straightforward linear output. So it looks doable...if a bit pricey.

If you need a car try it with, Im going to try this after the holidays are wrapped up. Already have my E85 parts and a tuner lined up. Just need to pick up this tool and the ECA.

If I'm right it will only take about $5 or $10 worth of parts to convert the signal... I'll work on it at work tomorrow :-)

[Ribbie]

If I'm right it will only take about $5 or $10 worth of parts to convert the signal... I'll work on it at work tomorrow :-)

Shhh, don't tell "work" you aren't working on work....JK

But I am looking forward to what you find.

[britishturbo]

Shhh, don't tell "work" you aren't working on work....JK

But I am looking forward to what you find.

That's what they make lunch breaks for :-P

[jibberjive]

Here's a post I made a while ago, when I was just going to use a digital O-scope in place of the Zeitronix E85 gauge (I've since acquired the Zeitronix E85 gauge, as I'm now a distributor for them).

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-to-know/page2

I plan on getting my car running E85 and the ECA gauge within likely the next few weeks. Would be nice if there were another option for the PPD that didn't require the standalone Zeitronix ECA, so that you're not essentially double spending on that. I look forward to what you come up with britishturbo.

[4ringAR]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-to-know/page2

New oscilloscopes are small and compact like that? The oscilloscopes we used in college looked similar to this(big grey box, monotone screen, floppy drive)

The sad part is I just graduated last year #brokestatus

[tjb616]

Britishturbo that would be amazing, if you have luck and need a sensor, Ill see what I can do about getting one to you. Im currently back in Philly with the car so hopefully we can get one up and working.

And yes jibberjive it would be a bummer to have to buy both only to tuck the Zeitronix behind the dash and wire the gauge output to the PPD.

[britishturbo]

Britishturbo that would be amazing, if you have luck and need a sensor, Ill see what I can do about getting one to you. Im currently back in Philly with the car so hopefully we can get one up and working.

And yes jibberjive it would be a bummer to have to buy both only to tuck the Zeitronix behind the dash and wire the gauge output to the PPD.

Once I'm ready to actually work on it, I'll let you know... I'm 99% certain it can be done easily and cheaply.

[Doug@FrankenTurbo]

And yes jibberjive it would be a bummer to have to buy both only to tuck the Zeitronix behind the dash and wire the gauge output to the PPD.

Assuming the data-logger would be making use of the linear analog output from that gauge, I don't see why you couldn't substitute an inexpensive Auber 1813 gauge to generate the 5v signal to the sensor. The return signal could then be routed to the PPD's secondary input.

[01xSilverS4]

LIKE

[jibberjive]

Assuming the data-logger would be making use of the linear analog output from that gauge, I don't see why you couldn't substitute an inexpensive Auber 1813 gauge to generate the 5v signal to the sensor. The return signal could then be routed to the PPD's secondary input.

I'm not familiar with the Auburn 1813, but if this is it, I can't see anywhere where it talks about being compatible with a PWM signal:
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?ma...products_id=19

Also, I just got the crazy idea that one may be able to put the ethanol sensor's PWM signal in place of one of the EGT's, and be able to log ethanol content and fuel temperature from the factory ECU, just like you would the EGT. Here's a link to where I posted a couple of preliminary thoughts, and if this does prove feasible, it will still take a good amount of hacking/software changes, so it won't be plug-n-play by any means.

http://nefariousmotorsports.com/foru...c=2955.0title=

[tjb616]

Cool idea, but personally Id rather leave the ECU alone.

What exactly would you be datalogging from the ECA? You really only need to know the ethanol content when when you fill up correct?

Im also unfamiliar with the Auber. My goal is simply to buy the sensor, and be able to convert the signal without purchasing a Zeitronix unit to read out the ethanol content of my fuel via the PPD. Not concerned about the fuel temperature. Your saying you could use the Auber in place of the Zeitronix ECA to do just that? And *britishturbo your thinking you could put something together to do it, but you would need the Zeitronix unit for reference? (which would be fine, I would just sell it to a friend afterwards)

[jibberjive]

Cool idea, but personally Id rather leave the ECU alone.

What exactly would you be datalogging from the ECA? You really only need to know the ethanol content when when you fill up correct?

Im also unfamiliar with the Auber. My goal is simply to buy the sensor, and be able to convert the signal without purchasing a Zeitronix unit to read out the ethanol content of my fuel via the PPD. Not concerned about the fuel temperature.

I don't know if you clicked that link I posted above, but it's not just about knowing the ethanol content. I'm going to make my ME7 ecu a true 'flex-fuel' setup, and have it automatically change between a bunch of different fueling/timing/boost maps, based on ethanol content. And the reason why I care about fuel temperature is because I'm going to be running 2 fuel pumps that have the capacity to supply enough fuel for 1200+hp, though I'll only be around 600hp, so I will be experimenting with different ways to avoid heating up the fuel and overworking the fuel return system.

And Jibber your thinking you could put something together to do it, but you would need the Zeitronix unit for reference? (which would be fine, I would just sell it to a friend afterwards)

I'm not putting anything together to market it. Sounds like Britishturbo might be. I personally already have and sell the Zeitronix ECA.

[tjb616]

My mistake, I was referring too Britishturbo. I didn't realize you were using the ME7, that sounds awesome.

[Doug@FrankenTurbo]

STE has released new firmware and user interface for the PPD, so I took the laptop out to the FrankenTT for a try with it:








The new software allows a bit more customization to the display, e.g. units of measurement. I am particularly happy to have the option of displaying Lambda versus air/fuel.










The secondary analog input is currently "open", which allows me to configure the PPD to log air temperatures at the compressor outlet. This necessitated setting up an Auber Instruments analog-output gauge for a compatible output. This gauge's analog signal is 0-20mA, so that needs to be converted to 0-5v with a resistor. I know this sounds intimidating, but it basically involves little more than hooking up either end of the $2 resistor to the outputs of the Auber gauge. Here's a reading of the gauge's un-converted output:



And here is the multimeter's reading with the resistor in place:




With the gauge outputting voltage, I set about calibrating the gamut to match the PPD's mapping. Sean at STE provided me with this voltage scale:




With that info in hand it was simply a matter of dialing in the high/low parameters on the Auber gauge. With a bit of experimentation, the voltages were in sync with the PPD's calibrations.




Next step is to install the temperature probe at the compressor outlet and wire up the gauge and PPD. My guess is that can happen tomorrow.

[tjb616]

Awesome writeup Doug. The new software looks great. Is that in a B6 though?

Curious as to if they would ever consider an input from a V1 radar for a remote display option also...