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-   -   Nerd alert! Think I'm going to get laptop-based OBD2 tool -update: ordered & success! (https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/nerd-alert-think-im-going-get-laptop-based-160.html)

MetroMPG 12-02-2007 08:54 AM

Nerd alert! Think I'm going to get laptop-based OBD2 tool -update: ordered & success!
 
I'm slipping further and further into nerdity:

I've been looking at laptop-based OBD2 tools because the SG1 isn't giving me all the info I want to see. Specifically, I want to know about fuel trim, since that's something that would be affected by HAI and EGR. But fuel trim is one parameter that the SG doesn't offer.

Also, I'll be able to log & graph relationships between sensor readings, whereas the current SG 1&2 only let you view "instant" data, which is actually pretty useless if the reading changes frequently by its nature (e.g. timing advance, throttle position, load etc.).

I realize the SG2 is supposed to have a USB or flash media logging feature coming out, but I don't know if it will include ALL parameters, or just the ones currently accessible (e.g. no fuel trim).

Anyway. There you go. Data geek!

MetroMPG 12-02-2007 08:55 AM

BTW, the convenience of the SG is not in question. But sometimes I NEED MORE DATA. http://www.gassavers.org/images/smilies/smile.gif

SG2 is supposed to be coming out with a logging /export feature, but again, I don't know if it'll include all the sensors & engine parameters. It's missing a few now, in both versions.

MetroMPG 12-02-2007 08:55 AM

Someone on teamswift is using this tool. Inexpensive, and he says it does MPG instant/avg, short & long term fuel trim: $83 + $5 shipping.

http://www.obddiagnostics.com/order.html

You can also order it in kit form and solder it together yourself if you're able and want to save more $.

MetroMPG 12-02-2007 08:57 AM

Just downloaded and installed the software from http://www.obddiagnostics.com/ProgWin.html . You can operate it in "simulation" mode without the hardware (random values).

Pretty neat. But I can see how I'd like to improve it already.

It does have an instant & averager resettable MPG function, based on either MAF or MAP output. But this function is pretty basic compared to the SG, and I'm not sure it can be fine-tuned (e.g. distance & fuel used calibration).

The guy who sells/writes this lives in TN. I bet he'd make some cash if he got involved at GS and expanded its MPG functionality. He could be a real competitor to the SG2.

MetroMPG 12-02-2007 08:58 AM

http://metrompg.com/offsite/obd-diagnose-screen-cap.gif

MetroMPG 12-02-2007 08:59 AM

Quote:

I wonder what sort of tests MetroMPG will come up with using his new logger? Any plans yet?
  • - It'll let me look more closely at things like my hot air intake. I've never been satisfied that my HAI seemed to produce no favourable results, because the theory is sound. With this unit I'll be able to see immediate changes (if any) to timing advance, throttle position and fuel trim and maybe answer the question as to why it didn't appear to work on my car (and maybe make it work).
  • - Same thing with adding more EGR. I could theoretically idle the car in the driveway, run a hose from the tailpipe and introduce exhaust into the intake and watch the sensor results live.
  • - Last winter I was also talking a bit about spoofing the coolant temp sensor to achieve closed loop operation a little faster. This would let me view and log the results of that.
I'm sure I'll come up with more things to play with once I see what it can do...

MetroMPG 12-02-2007 09:02 AM

just won an auction for the Hong Kong unit, same as:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=011&item=320035379243&rd =1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://i9.ebayimg.com/06/i/08/75/85/54_1.JPG

Total with shipping: $55 USD.

Had I lost, I would have ordered the same model described above that the teamswift guy uses.

Should have it in 2 weeks.

MetroMPG 12-02-2007 09:03 AM

HW/SW compatibility issues...

Reading around online, I have learned that not all the programs work with all the hardware, despite supposedly being built on open standards.

Essentially I bought hardware built by hobbyists, and am attempting to run it on software written by hobbyists. In retrospect, the smart move would have been to get both pieces of the puzzle from the same hobbyist (like the guy in TN, whose program screen shots I posted above).

For all I know, it may be computer-related too.

MetroMPG 12-02-2007 09:04 AM

Finally, after ... 1 borrowed & returned laptop to confirm the tool was working; 3 OS re-installs on my old serial-port equipped laptop; half a dozen freeware/shareware OBD2 software installs & tryouts (they didn't all work); multiple e-mails back and forth with the tool vendor (was quite responsive and helpful):

http://metrompg.com/offsite/obd2-blackfly-test-1.gif

Edit: cold start, trip around the block. The only downside: the programs that work with this tool and provide logging ability don't also report fuel consumption. So the SG will be a little out of whack when I disconnect it to do trials with the ODB2 tool.

Data exported as a text file, imported into Excel to use the charting utility. Dressed up a little further in Photoshop.

MetroMPG 12-02-2007 09:06 AM

I like being able to view fuel trim with this tool.


Fuel trim is the mystery variable behind the EGR fuel savings theory. It's where the 02 sensor data goes: constantly into Short Term to maintain stoich. Short Term, when it maxes out in either direction, informs Long Term and then resets to 0 to start all over again.

More details about fuel trim:
http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:...n&ct=clnk&cd=4

MetroMPG 12-02-2007 09:07 AM

FYI, the programs with a datalogging function that I've successfully used with the ELM 323 scan tool:

- wOBD v1.40 - http://www.obd2crazy.com/wOBDv140/index.html
This is the one I used to capture the data posted yesterday. Not particularly user friendly, but did the job. It's a small program, p120/w98 friendly.

- Digimoto Lite - http://www.digimoto.com/updates.htm
Requires the MS .Net programming framework to be installed. Resource intensive. It works on my p120/w98, but it loads & runs slowly. More user friendly than wOBD though.

bestmapman 01-04-2008 11:57 AM

Are you getting live raw data with this?

MetroMPG 01-04-2008 12:51 PM

Yes - it's captured live, and you can display some of it live. But I made the graph in Excel afterwards with stored data.

I haven't used the ELM scanner since I made that first run. I had plans to test out a few things with it this year, but I ended up putting off most of my Metro/Firefly fun in order to finish building the ForkenSwift.

mopo3 11-01-2008 02:47 PM

Can the computer get every bit of data the car has at once? example the SG2 only outputs 4 things at once, could you receive all the info from the computer from all the sensors? if so, I'd want to write an Ethernet driver for Linux that would take the info in. I don't have a windows computer so that software isn't an option, and it doesn't make since to have a piece of hardware between the OBD2 port and the computer if your running Linux because you'd only need the software to tell the hardware what to send and receive.

Formula413 11-02-2008 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG (Post 1240)
I like being able to view fuel trim with this tool.


Fuel trim is the mystery variable behind the EGR fuel savings theory. It's where the 02 sensor data goes: constantly into Short Term to maintain stoich. Short Term, when it maxes out in either direction, informs Long Term and then resets to 0 to start all over again.

More details about fuel trim:
cache:V2LZ-m60NAQJ:theautomotivetechshop.com/contentEditor/link2file.php3?file=OBD%20Fuel%20Trim.pdf&linkas=4 short term fuel trim emissions - Google Search

Where was this link supposed to go? It doesn't work for me. I can program in fuel trims as X Gauges on my SG2, but I didn't know how to interpret them re:efficiency so I never used them.

bwilson4web 02-07-2011 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG (Post 1231)
. . .
I realize the SG2 is supposed to have a USB or flash media logging feature coming out, but I don't know if it will include ALL parameters, or just the ones currently accessible (e.g. no fuel trim).
. . .

This rumor started in 2007 ????

Bob Wilson

mcrews 02-07-2011 01:55 AM

Wow......you've past nerdy......you're a post hoe!!!!!!!

I know there is a lot of snow and you can't get out........but we may have to come and do intervention!!!!!

We'll send frank lee........


lol




actually, I have a small 10inch netbook that I built a small 'table' for right of my console.....mainly for internet when I'm on long drives.....but I would love to see what i caqn do with this......maybe tweeking it as I go.....

bwilson4web 02-07-2011 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrews (Post 218989)
Wow......you've past nerdy......you're a post hoe!!!!!!!
. . .

Actually I'd used the search function looking for past work on the ELM chipset and hit this rather old, Dec. 2007, posting about future ScanGauge enhancements. Then I realized rumors are not product announcements and I'm not 'holding my breath' waiting for a mythical, next generation Scangauge that may or may not show up. In the spirit of Ecomodders, we get tired of waiting for some vague future and go out and make the future happen now.

I've also got a functioning but under performing, AutoEnginuity ($400), and soon realized their concept of support and bug fixes has no relationship to my Prius reports. Then I noticed they are very current on German cars and began to suspect maybe their AutoEnginuity product is just their German car hobby branched out a little.

Bob Wilson

dcb 02-07-2011 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrews (Post 218989)
...
actually, I have a small 10inch netbook that I built a small 'table' for right of my console.....mainly for internet when I'm on long drives.....but I would love to see what i caqn do with this......maybe tweeking it as I go.....

Please don't take your eyes/concentration off the road for non-vehicle operation related activities.


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