I'm interested in knowing the resolution of data that you get.
I'm also assuming the more you monitor the less the resolution, is this correct?
Could somebody please email me or post a link to a few runs made with the software?
What things do you monitor?

Thanks,
air1kdf@insightbb.com

 

if you are talking about the frequency of data logged that is determined by the speed of the processor AND the number of data points you have listed

 

Actually I believe that it is related to the speed of the data acqusuition hardware, and the BAUD rate of the serial port.

I would really like anybody to email me any kind of data file.

Thanks.

 

Well that may be, BUT using a NGS Scan tool that has no serial port or its restrictions and is designed specifically for displaying that type of data -shows that the PCM is only able to update the info so fast. You can do some research and find the MAX refresh rate the PCM can handle. I saw it somewhere, either on Ford service DVD or on the NGS manual..
I also have both the old style Autotap and the new updated one that supposedly refreshes faster and neither is very fast ... BUT neither is much slower than the NGS...
Doug

 

The broadcast of data is limited by how much the diagnostic port publishes. It publishes about 30 updates per second. Depending on your hardware and a perfect world, you might get that for 1 parameter... If you have say 5 things, like intake temp, timing advance, rpm, engine load, and water temp, you will get 4 to 5 updates per second. What will end up happening at WOT is that rpms are climbing so quickly is that you won't get enough updates per second to get a clean picture of what is happening. It is especially difficult because the are horizontally updated. This means you need to make sure the two most important parameters are next to each other in your list as when they make it to a spreadsheet, they will be time stamped about .07 seconds apart. This means for each "cycle" through 5 paramters, you will have a spread of .35 seconds... There is no way to avoid this issue...

DO NOT BUY FROM EASE. Their customer service SUCKS A$$. They screwed me over and were rude as hell.

Autotap has been very cool with tech support...

I bought both and returned the one I didn't like.

Stick with the autotap

 

This is what I've been assuming. I know that Ford uses PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) from the port. I found some hardware that can get just over 10 readings per second from the port (which is a 4x improvement). I wanted to get an idea if this number is low close or high to what other systems are getting. Seems real close. I'm seariously looking at writing software for this hardware. Platforms would be Windows CE, and all versions of windows 95 Up, and NT 4.0 and up. I also believe that I can add Torque and HP curves as well.

I'm still in the need for some data files. I haven't recieved even 1 yet. Can be in Excel, raw, whatever.

Thanks.

 

I can send you some log and configuration files in a couple of days. I just erased the old ones today...

 

Thanks easterisland, I would greatly appreciate it. I figured that people would have all sorts of files laying around that they could email to me. Pleeeeeeease.

Thanks

 

The file will be autotap and *.atl and *.atc

 

What about Linux? Please?

 

Linux is a very real possibility. It wouldn't be the 1st platform though. Is anybody using a Linux notebook on here?

First things first though. I don't want to give people the wrong impression. Fact of the matter is I'm just a regular guy that loves the Lightning. I've looked at the available options and think that I can do much better myself. Maybe I'll buy the hardware and "play with it for a while", if all goes well after a while (still working on finishing the basement) I'll need some BETA testers.

 

I did find out that the limitation of all scan tools is because of the J1978 standard._ The tool is supposed to let the other modules use the OBD-II bus to talk to each other._ If the refresh rate is too fast, it will interfere with the vehicle's operation. The max that is obtainable is 4hz. which is pretty good especially if packed data is used.

 

I have the EASE software and it is great. They also had really fast shipment, mainly because I was 1 state away.

But initial setup was not a good experience, mainly because I failed to *interpret* the hookup/cable setup/software setting instructions. Basically the cable they sent me had a part number on it, and I ASSumed that was the part number that I selecting in the software connection configuration(common sense), little did I know that was not the case. During that process the customer service was so-so but did a complete 180 when I called and asked for an RMA because I couldn't get it setup right.

Now it works perfectly fine and I have no complaints!

 

When I bought mine, I was told "money back guarantee in 30 days if you aren't satisfied". I had the speed of data discussion with a tech and he assured me I'd be happy. When I got it, first, it did not support 2002 vehicles so I had to use 2001 data. I called tech support and they said "oh yeah. we told you that when you bought it" I assure you they didn't... I wouldn't have bought it! I finally got it up and running (same problem with you on the adapter type --- documentation sucks) with some tech help from their department. I ran some data and realized the update speed wasn't anywhere near as fast as the tech assured me... I called tech support and they said yeah, that's the fastest it will go -- limitation is the broadcast speed of the diagnostic port and the "request/reply" way of communicating.

So, I asked for an RMA. They transfer me to the lady that sold it to me and she got all rude with me and said she told me it was only for 2K1 or older and that she would have to get an RMA approved. Approved? What about the money back guarantee? She "looked into it" and three days later I got my RMA (I had to chase it down). She told me I would be subject to a restock fee which is Bull$**** because a money back guarantee is just that -- a guarantee. She said everything was just "thrown in the box" and they had to repack. It was 2cds in jewel cases, a stack of manuals, and the cable assembly. It went back in the box it came in packed the same way I got it with the exception of a plastic tie on the cable assembly.

I guess the pay $50 per plastic tie because that is what they charged me. I tried to defend my case and their response was simply that was the way it is. Period. I was never rude or agressive in any way, but the lady on the phone was rude as hell...

I wouldn't exactly call that customer service.

 

ken800 - how much stuff where you monitoring at the same time? I've noticed that less you run the more updates you get. Sucks when you want to watch alot of things, but to my understanding thats how most of the diagnostic software works.

But you whole CS thing, sounds similar to mine. They gave me the whole RMA approval crap and re-stocking fee. But I guess they wanted all the money so they finally wised up and actually gave some *tech* info to help me out. If only they just put that on the instructions ...