Originally Posted by
M-Tech Automotive
Guys,
Fabulous feedback, Stevie, you have literally written a very sensible list of things I would certainly want to see in the ECU, so much so I have coped it off and added it to the appendix of the spec
I am always confused as to why they have maybe 4 or 8MB of internal logging.... I can buy a 64MB flash IC from Farnells for £3.60.... 128MB for £4.55.... I could put an SD slot on for 12p, (though I am against this idea as it opens the ECU up to contamination), though perhaps the best all round method for 8GB (GIGA) of storage would be to have the SD card slot internal, install the SD card at production and make it secure against the inside edge of the case.... inexpensive MASSIVE data storage...
Just my thoughts as to that one...
Also, re. MoTeCs software unlock.... I think this can give a bad 'tinge' to the product. The main reason for this is that yes, the 'hardware' is there, so you should have it, as you have it, but, its the software that ultimately costs the money to write, hence why they do it. Autodesk inventor CDs don't cost nearly £10k a time print... so I can see both sides to that one, though, the public, will always be on the side of the a tangible thing already being there, the hardware... Its not a method I would use on our new system though! If its there, you can use it
Matt
One cost related "extra" could be...
Same ecu, but with a more basic, easy to use but still very functional software.
Then a more expensive unit with a far more flexible and featured software. I think for a really good spec ecu with a sensible number of inputs and outputs, £600 seems almost unrealistic given the rest of the market
Also...seeing as Motec asked this about their Mx00 range, then mysteriously moved it into their M1 section when it appeared, basically ignoring all the user requests...
Here was a wish list from Motec users for software features.
http://www.motec.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1705
Should also maybe have added dual onboard wideband controllers. Bosch most likely, as it means cheaper sensors.
That said multiple EGT channels would be nice too. But, from a cost cutting point of view, if your ecu could communicate with either Innovate or PLX data stream, then you could add some of their external units for extra inputs like their TC-4 for EGT's
But still for logging to occur within the ecu
I can see what you mean about SD card creating an opening in the casing. But one issue with downloading logs is comms speed. So being able to simply unplug the SD card and stick it in your computer is handy. Then just fire another SD card into the ecu