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A simple ECU

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Peter H

Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 197

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:44 pm Post subject: A simple ECU

I am in the process of installing a simple TBI system to the Jabiru 3300. Just two injectors in a spigot type throttle body which takes the place of the Bing, it works from a MAP sensor and air temp sensor, the ECU is triggered from the flywheel magnets. We are using a regular automotive ECU which is a giant overkill and very expensive.  

We can trim the mixture using a pot if required.  

My question is has anyone seen a simple programmable unit that could be programmed with a pot, a switch and a digital dial. The programming would be done by select injector time and enter as required. We would keep the manual over ride.   

What would be the elements of such a simple ECU ?  Any idea where I could get some help would be appreciated.  

Thanks  

Peter H    

        [quote][b]

klehman(at)albedo.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:32 am Post subject: A simple ECU

Peter



Google "megasquirt efi" for an under $200. system and lots of related info.

Not recommended for aviation of course but I run one as a manually 

selectable backup to my main subaru efi.

I have mine configured with the inputs that you describe and it is fine 

for my purposes. For everyday use it would benefit from connecting a TPS 

(throttle position sensor) acceleration enrichment, or one could run the 

code that enriches based on delta MAP.  A water temp (cylinder or oil 

temp for you) sensor would also be handy for starting and warmup but I 

don't use mine for startup. There are some schemes for doing this with 

analog electronics but the megasquirt is definately the way to do it 

nowadays and about as simple as I could find. I have a manual mixture 

tweaking knob but it is not needed (especially if one has an engine emp 

sensor) and if it isn't there - it can't fail.  I use an old 486 laptop 

for programming.



If you are only going to have a primary controller I'd suggest googling 

SDS EFI. That would most likely require re-arranging your flywheel 

pickups but it would have "established" reliability.  I think there are 

thousands of megaquirt units in use but each is somewhat different and 

subject to unique failures. Megasquirt has very little capability of 

keeping the engine running after a sensor or wire failure compared to 

oem or even the SDS system.



Ken



Peter Harris wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		    



 I am in the process of installing a simple TBI system to the Jabiru 

 3300. Just two injectors in a spigot type throttle body which takes 

 the place of the Bing, it works from a MAP sensor and air temp sensor, 

 the ECU is triggered from the flywheel magnets. We are using a regular 

 automotive ECU which is a giant overkill and very expensive.



 We can trim the mixture using a pot if required.



 My question is has anyone seen a simple programmable unit that could 

 be programmed with a pot, a switch and a digital dial. The programming 

 would be done by select injector time and enter as required. We would 

 keep the manual over ride.



 What would be the elements of such a simple ECU ?  Any idea where I 

 could get some help would be appreciated.



 Thanks



 Peter H

Peter H

Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 197

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 1:50 pm Post subject: A simple ECU

Thanks Ken I had not checked the price of Megasquirt it is cheaper than I

expected. I guess I am interested in making something like the EC2 series

from Real World Solutions, but will take a closer look at the Megasquirt.



Peter 



--

mikefapex

Joined: 05 Jul 2007
Posts: 70
Location: Colorado

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:16 pm Post subject: Re: A simple ECU

Peter,



>>I guess I am interested in making something like the EC2 series

from Real World Solutions, but will take a closer look at the Megasquirt. <<



Have you ruled out the EC2 system from Rotary Aviation?  And if so, why?



Mike

Peter H

Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 197

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject: A simple ECU

Mike at this stage I am gathering information. There is a lot I like about

the EC2 but I would like to do it myself and cheaper.

Peter



--

echristley(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:37 am Post subject: A simple ECU

Peter Harris wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Thanks Ken I had not checked the price of Megasquirt it is cheaper than I

 expected. I guess I am interested in making something like the EC2 series

 from Real World Solutions, but will take a closer look at the Megasquirt.



 Peter 

   


	


Peter, I'm working on a MegaSquirt system.  The kits while cheap, seem 

to be extremely solid with quality components, and the documentation is 

excellent.



The system I've worked out uses two of the Ford EDIS-4 ignition modules, 

and a standby manual fuel feed to provide an amazing amount of system 

redundancy.  I've got a little more airframe and electronics 

installation work left, then I will be full-bore concentrating on the 

engine installation.  I'd be happy to discuss what I'm working on with you.



-- 

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in 

a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, 

thoroughly used up, totally worn out, with chocolate in one hand and wine in 

the other, loudly proclaiming 'WOO HOO What a Ride!'"

--Unknown

Peter H

Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 197

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject: A simple ECU

Thanks Ernest. At this stage it looks like the EC2 has cheapest ECU as well

as other features that suit aircraft. Two Megasquirts would come close.

I have just completed istallation and tuning with a Haltech ECU but it is

ean exoensive overkill with no ECU redundancy.

We are looking at making a more affordable redundant unit.

Peter

--

Ed Anderson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 475

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:53 pm Post subject: A simple ECU

Hi Peter,



For what it is worth, I started out with an HALTECH F3 unit way back in the 

90s.  The engine ran fine with it although to tune the higher RPM, you had 

to take a laptop airborne with you - not the best means of tuning in a 

sprightly RV aircraft.



 But, the unit eventually failed me (fortunately during a ground run up) 

causing all 4 injectors to stick in the open position and dump a lot of 

gasoline through the exhaust pipe before I finally realized what was 

happening and shut the unit off.



I then switched to the RWS EC2 and found it much more to my liking - no lap 

top, much easier to refine the fuel map, etc. but, most importantly it the 

EC2 had a  redundant system with the flick of a switch and the price was 

very reasonable.



There are no doubt a number of good systems out there but for the $$ I think 

the EC2 wins the competition.

Ed





---

_________________
Ed Anderson
Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered
Matthews, NC
eanderson@carolina.rr.com

Peter H

Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 197

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 5:24 pm Post subject: A simple ECU

Thanks Ed it is shaping up that way.

Peter



--

Peter H

Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 197

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 5:38 pm Post subject: A simple ECU

Ed I had a similar experience whith the new F10ex Haltech when I first

cranked the engine with the throttle body outboard. It kept on squirting

after I stopped cranking until the fuel rail was empty.

Must have got a bad trigger signal.

Looks as if the EC2 is the way to go.

Peter



--

Ed Anderson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 475

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 3:58 am Post subject: A simple ECU

Yes, Peter, I never attempted a diagnoses of the F3 HALTECH unit, but 

certainly glad I was on the ground when it decided to malfunction.  My units 

problem was more than a stray signal as it never recovered.



Ed

---

_________________
Ed Anderson
Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered
Matthews, NC
eanderson@carolina.rr.com

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