Datalogging on Battery power

ForwardThrust · Post by **ForwardThrust** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:55 am

Pardon my ignorance. EMI causes RF interference... I think I have that straight. Seems a shame so much reseach being done for an antiquated distributor system... haha....
Maybe Hondata can come up with a way to put the K-series DIS onto the Bseries for all of us who refuse to engine platforms...

ForwardThrust · Post by **ForwardThrust** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:11 am

Tried a stock distributor and, believe it or not, datalogging works while the laptop is on battery power... You guys were right, of course.
Also, this really isn't a big impact once a reasonable base map is in place. I'll use the S300 internal datalogging for making a pull, running a few laps, whatever, then download the data with the engine not running. Not as convenient as I had hoped, but livable.

Thanks again!

00Typer · Post by **00Typer** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:24 am

Spunkster wrote:http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/techinfo/s ... country=US

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When should I use a resistor spark plug?

A: NGK "R" or resistor spark plugs use a 5k ohm ceramic resistor in the spark plug to suppress ignition noise generated during sparking.

NGK strongly recommends using resistor spark plugs in any vehicle that uses on-board computer systems to monitor or control engine performance. This is because resistor spark plugs reduce electromagnetic interference with on-board electronics.

They are also recommended on any vehicle that has other on-board electronic systems such as engine-management computers, two-way radios, GPS systems, depth finders or whenever recommended by the manufacturer.

In fact, using a non-resistor plug in certain applications can actually cause the engine to suffer undesirable side effects such as an erratic idle, high-rpm misfire, engine run-on, power drop off at certain rpm levels and abnormal combustion.

As stated above, I am running NGK resistor plugs.

00Typer wrote:
So if I have an Accel 300+ Digital Ignition, Accel 300+ wires, NGK plugs and Accel cap (external coil), this may be why my laptop shows the Hondata sometimes, shows it as an unknown device sometimes and SManager has trouble recognizing the ecu as online?

Hondata wrote:The laptop probably is not powering the USB port in the same way on batteries as on AC power.

We have found that almost all aftermarket ignition components produce significant EMI. You just don't normally notice.

All USB cables are shielded and grounded. The solution is to remove the source of the interferrence.

So the solution to using a computer that allows you to tune a modified car is to de-mod the car? I am very suprised by this. How do all out drag cars that require larger ignition systems get around this? I am sure people like Full Force, Spoon, etc, etc use aftermarket ignitions with whatever they are using to program their computers (I assume Hondata or a similar product).

Post by **Hondata** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:13 am

Many modifications are not necessary - the stock plug wires work as well as any aftermarket offering, but doesn't cause EMI. Different brands of ignition components will give different amount of EMI - some may be ok. In any case, we've seen over 900 hp on a 100% stock ignition system.

00Typer · Post by **00Typer** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:03 pm

Hondata wrote:Many modifications are not necessary - the stock plug wires work as well as any aftermarket offering, but doesn't cause EMI. Different brands of ignition components will give different amount of EMI - some may be ok. In any case, we've seen over 900 hp on a 100% stock ignition system.

That is all good and fine, I have seen a dyno proven hp and lb-ft gain on my personal setup with this ignition system. Once again, I am curious if you know how alll out drag cars are getting away with aftermarket ignition systems and your engine management?

Post by **Hondata** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:54 pm

If the aftermarket modifications don't raise the EMI about a certain threshold, then the ECU will work without problems. The point I'm trying to make is that just because in these cases the ECU can still datalog, it doesn't mean that there is no EMI.

The solution is to measure the amount of voltage you can see on the ECU inputs / grounds / internal voltage supply with an oscilloscope, then try different approaches to reducing the conducted and non-conducted EMI/inteferrence from the ignition system.

00Typer · Post by **00Typer** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:43 pm

I seem to have the issue fixed. As long as I power the laptop from an external A/C source there is no problem. It seems to be something to do with a laptop setting or possibly power available from the car on the USB line.