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RevHead351 · Joined: 16 Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Australia

Engine dyno Hardware/Software upgrades - what is out there ?

Hi

I have a manual operated Go-Power DA-516 engine dynamometer which I have been using to date.

I would like to upgrade to some form of electronics and engine data acquisition rather than looking at gauges to monitor dynamometer & engine parameters.

I'm no workshop situation and don't have a million dollar budget to spend I'm just curious as to what systems are out there for budget conscious home operator like myself.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Therealdrevil · Joined: 09 May 2011 Posts: 25

Not sure if this is any help

http://www.sportdevices.com/sp4/index.htm

RevHead351 · Joined: 16 Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Australia

Turboivo · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 672 Location: Bulgaria

Hi, no personal experience but you could have a look at Land&Sea dynamometers.
http://www.land-and-sea.com/data-acquisition/data-acquisition-dynamometer.htm

rrrobert · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 68 Location: oxford , england.

i have done a bucket load of research on this ,and contacted a few companies ,
tat dyno ,4900
superflow 9800 then 4800
i think sp3 was 1500?
land and sea about 2k
all in pounds ..

i think that wass it ,all v approx due to memory and timescale !
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RevHead351 · Joined: 16 Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Australia

Hello rrrobert , I'm going through the same process as yourself " Researching " what is actually available out there.

Some of those systems you mentioned don't have the capability to control the water brake dynamometer Tat and Sportdevices as I have been in touch with these companies.

Searching the world wide web " Google and Yahoo " search engines for a micro controller I came across a few interesting websites and other related literature.

Here is a example of a NI USB-DAQ Data Acquisition Hardware this i cut&pasted from this website , the link might not work you may have to join and veiw as a member. http://www.flowbenchtech.com/forum

Buzzard · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 160

http://www.mainlineauto.com.au/

Dynolog is the electronics/control. They do upgrades for chassis and engine dyno's

Chris

TurboNova · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:00 pm Post subject:

Look at DEPAC dyno systems, he has upgrades for most engine dyno systems. We have a his auto control valve at EFI University for our Super Flow engine dyno.
_________________
Brian Macy
EFI University Instructor
Horsepower Connection
www.horsepowerconnection.com

RevHead351 · Joined: 16 Nov 2011 Posts: 7 Location: Australia

rrrobert · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 68 Location: oxford , england.

hi rev ,

another option may be to log the strain guage ,and the rpm ,and just that , then use the software for graphing stuff off the net from various companies ,and then create your own graphs . in fact , you could do what i was going to do ,and use innovate data logging stuff and then use thier logworks to log the results ,then use the x y graph function to make a graph of bhb over rpm .
its a bit long winded ,but would be v cheap in comparison .

you could also try performance trends ,they do some stuff . i wanted the maha coast down fuction on it ,but they could not do that ,but for an engine dyno it may be more their thing , be warned though ,the chap i spoke to was very arrogant and rude ... and tended to try to TELL me what i want ,not ASK me what i want . Wink

regards
robert
_________________
just try it
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merlin · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 78 Location: Melbourne Australia

Hi Guys

I have a stuska xs-111 engine dyno
It only has manual control for load ..so no automated ramps..
I to have looked for an automatic load control and i will be purchasing one of the stuska quick stick systems...not sure if its easy to adapt to your system..but im sure it cannot be to hard

as for Data logging I use a MoTeC ADL ....best idea i have ever had
heaps of inputs that u can connect anything to ..I have connected a hall sensor for speed and a load cell for torque readings ..as most of the engines i run have a MoTeC ecu it just a plug and play deal now ..great logging ....
the I2 software used to enterpret data is just awsome
and u can find used ADL's at a reasonable price

hope this helps
google stuska for there quick stick system
John P

rrrobert · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 68 Location: oxford , england.

john ,

thanks for this info , i wonder ,whats the situaton with the software? , what does it cost ? ,

after reading the motec site, am i correct in thinking that one has to pay for a license and then it runs out of time and you have to renew it at more cost ?

regards
robert
_________________
just try it
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TurboNova · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:04 am Post subject:

Yes, that is correct robert. The Motec is just the start, you have to pay to unlock features like logging.

I would still look at the Depac, his auto load valve is really good. The software works and the windows software looks better. It is really setup for what you are trying to do.

Beware though, the guy is a very sharp guy. If you call with a dumb question he may hang the phone up on you. lol
_________________
Brian Macy
EFI University Instructor
Horsepower Connection
www.horsepowerconnection.com

rrrobert · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 68 Location: oxford , england.

crikey a far as i can tell its a 1000 dollars a year rental on the motec i2 datalogging software !!!sheeeesh .
_________________
just try it
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John Sleath · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 11:26 pm Post subject:

Robert try Land and Sea, Logging,control in one package with good support, if you need more info or want to come and check out my dyno thats cool with me,
John
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merlin · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 78 Location: Melbourne Australia

I get so Mad when People post rubbish about MoTeC costs

remember I am talking about data logging here NOT dyno control..

If you search YOU will find a Used MoTeC ADL with Logging and the extra inputs Turned On ( 30 I/O is the function Name )

I Have 2 that I have purchased for around the $2K aud mark

The I2 software is FREE to down load and can only be used with MoTeC products
as is The Dash Manager software to program the ADL
the Main benifit is you can connect an sensor you can buy to the ADL and create your own cal tables ...and it is easy

ALL MoTeC software has been FREE to download since day 1 and Im told will stay that way and this includeds all upgrades ....you pay for this in your purchase price

I have ADL's on both my chassis and engine dynos ...and after looking at what people have paid $40k for ......I will never be changing

the I2 software shits all over anything have seen that cost less than $50 K

so for about $5k aud you could have an ADL with an expander unit (E816/818) and have more than 10 aux voltage inputs ( pressure sensors) and same in temp inputs ..with 8 inbuilt thermo couples for EGTs ..4 speed sensors ...and 2 x Lambda sensors with a LTC ....expandable to 12 if u want ......realy this is endless it just depends on your budget ??

give me a $ fugure and I can tell u what you can have !
remember Im not a sales man here trying to sell u a product to get a commission or keep my Job ....I am THE END USER

John P

merlin · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 78 Location: Melbourne Australia

TurboNova · Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 8:56 am Post subject:

The difference with the Motec over something like the Depac is, with the Depac you get a auto loading valve and logging for the dyno. The Motec is just for logging.

He really needs something like Depac so he can log and also control the dyno without the manual knobs ect..
_________________
Brian Macy
EFI University Instructor
Horsepower Connection
www.horsepowerconnection.com

rrrobert · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 68 Location: oxford , england.

hi brian , i think i should explain , i ,robert ,am not the original poster who wanted engine dyno control and logging .. my situation is a little different i need a chassis dyno logging software to create graphs from 2 voltages ,and also add the coast down losses negative voltage to the original signal .(please dont lets get inot the emotive subject of losses measurement lol.)

i feel a bit embarrised that i may have slightly hijacked the thread ,but i hope its all usefull info for mr revhead too.

as you can see ...

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.447750509803.236577.733174803&type=1&l=f3fe2414cd

my situation is where on a tiny income i have salvaged and bartered to create my test cell ,so need to find or make something that will be v ecconomical .

john , sorry to make you mad ! i was quoting from the motec price list i found on the net 2010. i probably missunderstood it all .but it seemed like it was a licenced software with one year periods .
ill have another look .. i did the free download ,of the pro version ,and it does look v good .

regards
robert
_________________
just try it
http://www.youtube.com/user/legrandphromage

TurboNova · Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 9:42 am Post subject:

That is different Robert, you really could use almost any ecu to log what you are looking for.
_________________
Brian Macy
EFI University Instructor
Horsepower Connection
www.horsepowerconnection.com