[Diy_efi] Microcontroller based Auto Related Projects

Thu Nov 1 23:30:40 UTC 2012

Something simple to get started on, that Delco reminded me of, is
Jason Roughley's PIS software, check it out here:

https://github.com/Torture/PIS

It's very basic and PW driven, but PW is his thing, he's not a VE fan :-)

Regards,

Fred.

On Thu, Nov 1, 2012 at 11:47 PM, Bill Shaw <b.shaw at comcast.net> wrote:
> Yes,  there's lots of info out there.  You will find more interesting
> reading at http://www.sae.org/.
>
> Slight subject change - I brought home a new(er) dd yesterday,  a 2010
> Camaro SS.  Sweet ride,  bad news is it's got a Bosch ecu!
>
> Thanks for the e-book link.
>
> Bill
>
>
> On 11/1/2012 6:03 PM, xyz Q wrote:
>
> Driving a vehicle that would have your own designed and built ecu could feel
> like a 'mystical' experience, some what.
>
> We still run right, considering it was a major source of transportation a
> 100+ years ago now its mostly for recreational.
>
> I just think there's so little info pertaining to ecu controls even basic
> ones that probably its worth looking into.
>
> On Nov 2, 2012 8:40 AM, "David Allen" <davida1 at hiwaay.net> wrote:
>>
>> I always like microcontroller projects, have built some interesting
>> things, too. I was considering trying to build an ECU, but then I realized
>> something.  For me; with my project goals, GM had already engineered the
>> perfect ECU. It's so good that millions of them are out there on the road
>> today. Every parameter is configurable and the hardware is bulletproof. So I
>> went with a Delco 1227730 ECU, and focused my microcontroller projects on
>> other areas.  I made projects for where there aren't off-the-shelf, highly
>> cost-effective solutions already available.  I've built auto headlights
>> controller, air-levelling suspension controllers, parts-washer controller,
>> heat pump controller, speedometer calibration modules, and other odds and
>> ends. But the Delco ECU is just too cheap, available, rugged, and just plain
>> good at what it does to re-invent the wheel for an engine ECU. The learning
>> curve was a little steep learning the tuning, because there is SO MUCH in
>> the ECM program. But it was worth it in the end, because it's so
>> configurable.
>>
>> This is just my OPINION and I hope you guys take it as that. Not meaning
>> to discourage anyone. I wanted to tell about the end result of when I went
>> down the same path and the final decision I came to.
>>
>> Respectfully,
>> David
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: xyz Q
>> To: diy_efi at diy-efi.org
>> Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2012 3:26 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Diy_efi] Microcontroller based Auto Related Projects
>>
>> All this is ok. But I'm thinking in order to get started, wouldn't be be
>> good if some experts could hold some basic ruts on this forum. Let's see
>> what some have to say, mainly very specific info eg., rpm counting, etc,
>> etc... But I know time would be a big issue for many.
>>
>> I downloaded some notes from Freescale on 68HC08 to introduce me to
>> Motorola MCUs. My only experience is with 80x86 MPU from back in tech
>> school.
>>
>> Anyways, here's an offtopic link that some might find useful. It's got
>> premium ebooks on just about every subject for free.
>>
>> www.freebookspot.es
>>
>> On Nov 1, 2012 1:06 PM, "Alan To" <toalan at 14point7.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> For me 5v operation is a must have so to be able to work with the widest
>>> range of sensors possible without additional burden of resistor dividers.
>>> The MPC555x is a $30 uC, you are doing some high end stuff, for high end
>>> stuff priorities are different, if you need to work with 5v sensors the cost
>>> of 0.1% or better tolerance resistors or an external ADC is probably not an
>>> issue. Originally we were talking about uCs in the same league as the 8 bit
>>> PICs, AVRs, and perhaps as high as ARM Cortex M3/M4.
>>>
>>> Regards
>>>
>>> Alan To
>>>
>>>
>>> On 10/31/2012 5:41 AM, Bill Shaw wrote:
>>>
>>> The operating voltage is not a significant decision factor when choosing
>>> an automotive microprocessor.  The MPC5554 we are using has a 1.3 volt core
>>> and 3.3 volt I/O.  It is an awesome  automotive microprocessor,  but the
>>> array of peripherals and registers would be a bit daunting for the
>>> uninitiated.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Bill
>>>
>>> On 10/31/2012 12:16 AM, Alan To wrote:
>>>
>>> It is a 3.3v chip and you really want 5v operation for automotive. The
>>> new Arduino Due will be a trainwreck, an epic one.
>>>
>>> On 10/30/2012 6:47 PM, xyz Q wrote:
>>>
>>> There's an ARM based Arduino. What would you say about that for a choice?
>>>
>>> On Oct 31, 2012 1:22 PM, "Avery Nisbet" <anisbet at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> 1.  Most of the hack a day projects are by IT/computer sci guys that
>>>> look down on getting their hands dirty with cars. If you look deeply
>>>> at some of the projects they will have really shoty electrical
>>>> engineering in them. Some of them are pure hacks and would not work in
>>>> a production sense.  Some are pretty decent.
>>>>
>>>> 2. Pics from an architecture point of view kinda suck. They were not
>>>> designed for use with stack based compilers(One working register).
>>>> The Motorola stuff was some of the 1st used in the automotive space.
>>>> The architecture lends itself to use with a compiler.  They are
>>>> designed for the harsher automotive environment.  Some will say they
>>>> have nicer hardware peripherals.  I would say some of the peripherals
>>>> were designed specifically for the automotive market. There is also a
>>>> pretty big code base to look at.  Oh and mostly anyone who went to
>>>> school for software or hardware who is older than say 30 was forced to
>>>> learn 6800(68HC11) or 68000 assembly language.  This usually involved
>>>> getting ahold of the purple data books motorola gave away for free
>>>> that were well enough written so you could get your class work or real
>>>> work done. I probably have 2 or 3 copies of the 68HC11 books laying
>>>> around somewhere. This being said there are many other options today
>>>> and I would look to ARM or AVR before I looked at PIC.  ARM is already
>>>> dominating the cheap 32bit market and is pretty easy to pick up. This
>>>> will help in the job search later. AVR's are pretty good for the 8bit
>>>> scene.  GCC supports them and ATMEL makes some automotive environment
>>>> parts.
>>>>
>>>> 3.  Go get yourself an Arduino(or other uC of choice), BIP373(OR GM
>>>> ignition module) and some optoisolators.  Then build a distributor
>>>> and/or crank trigger based ignition system. Then try turning that into
>>>> a full engine management solution using the peak and hold add in board
>>>> by Jbperf. Start researching the mega squirt schematics at the timing
>>>> input(tach) and the ignition output. Build those circuite on a bread
>>>> board and test on a bench. Then move them on to your test engine. It
>>>> could be a lawn mower engine or a V8 monster. Read up on timing
>>>> advance and program the Arduino to do a simple RPM only based timing
>>>> curve.  Then add a MAP and/or TPS sensors and add load as a factor of
>>>> your timing curve.  Then engine temp to add some cold start advantages
>>>> and you have all the sensors needed to do open loop EFI.  After adding
>>>> injectors you could add a wide band O2 sensor such as the LC-1 from
>>>> innovative motor sports or just a heated narrow band for cruze.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -Avery
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 8:13 PM, xyz Q <xyzqhtc at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> > Hi, I've been on the list for some time, on and off mainly reading
>>>> > bits,
>>>> > trying to find some interesting ideas. Unfortunately I was 10 years
>>>> > too
>>>> > late, when this forum had been in its prime.
>>>> >
>>>> > So here are my first set of questions that I hope on getting some
>>>> > answers,
>>>> > hopefully.
>>>> >
>>>> > 1. Why are there so little auto related uc based projects and ideas
>>>> > out
>>>> > there on the net? Look at hackaday.com, for example. Many projects,
>>>> > talented
>>>> > people but all they do is prove a point that some thing can be done.
>>>> > But
>>>> > guess what hardly something is really useful. I may have missed some
>>>> > good
>>>> > worth while so please put them here if you know.
>>>> >
>>>> > 2. If PICs are so popular, why are Motorola MCUs popular with auto
>>>> > projects?
>>>> > In terms of features aren't they on the same "level"?
>>>> >
>>>> > 3. The way I see to learn microcontroller based EMS or ignition is to
>>>> > look
>>>> > at it piece by piece. Megasquirt is great but it's hard to learn a
>>>> > complete
>>>> > system. Aren't there any web sites (I've seen DIYEFI) that have info
>>>> > on say
>>>> > ignition control, RPM handling with an MCU or other basic control
>>>> > concepts
>>>> > that can form the basis for EMS/Ign. related projects. I'd like to
>>>> > learn the
>>>> > basics and if there are specific approaches to this, I'd like to hear
>>>> > your
>>>> > side of the story. It would be helpful.
>>>> >
>>>> > Thanks and regards to all on the forum. Some projects here are really
>>>> > nice
>>>> > and inspiring.
>>>> >
>>>> > Nik.
>>>> >
>>>> > _______________________________________________
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