Lambda Controller - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

duxthe1 · #46 01-24-2009, 02:00 PM

Of course I'd like to be able to sell it to anyone who would buy it. Right now it's still in what I would consider the testing phase. So far it has performed great but there are a few things I think I'd like to incorporate into the design. Foremost I've been considering adding a small pushbutton that would chage the 10 led display from displaying the O2 voltage to displaying 1 through 6 representing which level of enrichment the controller is set at. I've still got one pin left on the microcontroller and I think that would be a nice addition to the controller.

The next thing to consider is the design of a PCB and the assembly of the unit. I've thought about selling the controller as a kit. It would be cheaper and easier for me to supply the schematic, parts list, instructions, and programmed chip. Though having to build your own would probably turn off a lot of potential buyers. There is a lot of consideration when turning a hobby into a business. Honestly, I havn't put much effort into that yet. At this point you are the first person that has expressed interest.

300EVIL · #47 01-26-2009, 10:16 PM

I bet you'd get a lot more interest with some dyno numbers,,,, Hint, Hint...

duxthe1 · #48 01-27-2009, 01:42 PM

There are no dyno numbers coming. The way I see it, this isn't a bolt on HP mod and I don't intend to make claims that it will add "X" amount of power. It's simply a closed loop fuel mixture controller. If your engine is running at less than ideal mixture for power then yes, it will add power. Unfortunately, every engine would respond differently depending on it's baseline setting.

For those that want to bolt on "X" amount of horsepower for "Y" amount of dollars spent, then I simply wouldn't recommend this controller. If one wants control over the closed loop mixture then this would be a good addition.

300EVIL · #49 01-27-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duxthe1

"There are no dyno numbers coming.", "The way I see it ", "yes, it will add power."

It's your word against real world numbers.... See the problem here? Everyone else claims this and that and the other thing. Until I see numbers, your device is equal to this.

duxthe1 · #50 01-27-2009, 11:26 PM

Selective editing will not entice me to waste time and money on a dyno. Dyno numbers are just snake oil to sell worthless cold air intake systems to wannabe racers. I did post the numbers that actually matter. In real word testing done at a permier Mercedes shop the controller was able to lean the mixture to .16% CO and enrichen it to 7.0% CO. That is what the controller is designed to do and I can stand behind the fact that it does. The controller is not designed to add "X" amount of power. It can add or subtract power by simply adding or subtracting fuel. Additional power doesn't simply come from plugging the unit in but comes from the users abilty to use it to tune their engine to its potential. I can't and won't put a dyno number on that. If you give 10 wannabe tuners the ability to adjust their fuel mixture over a 6.5% range I'd bet you could count the ones that ended up with more power on one hand.

I'm not selling a tornado, heck at this point I'm not selling anything. I do believe I have seen the Tornado advertised as gaining up to 20hp. I'm sure they had dyno numbers to prove it too. Those numbers did little to meet unrealistic expectations in real world applications.

RunningTooHot · #51 02-05-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duxthe1

...Dyno numbers are just snake oil to sell worthless cold air intake systems to wannabe racers. I did post the numbers that actually matter. In real word testing done at a permier Mercedes shop the controller was able to lean the mixture to .16% CO and enrichen it to 7.0% CO. That is what the controller is designed to do and I can stand behind the fact that it does. The controller is not designed to add "X" amount of power. It can add or subtract power by simply adding or subtracting fuel. Additional power doesn't simply come from plugging the unit in but comes from the users abilty to use it to tune their engine to its potential.

Duxthe1:

I applaud your efforts. Most enthusiasts do not have the conceptual understanding necessary to appreciate what you are doing. However, there ARE some people that do understand and appreciate what you are trying to achieve.

All the snake-oil BS and ridiculous power claims drive me nuts. Too many idiots expect massive “plug & play” horsepower gains without understanding what is actually taking place with any given modification. These “peak numbers” people just don’t get it. Anyone can build out an engine to produce big HP numbers. Do they really want an engine with massive amounts of peak horsepower, but a torque band that’s narrower than a gnats ass? I used to build Super Vee & Formula Atlantic engines (Cosworth B-series engines). They produced large specific HP outputs, but would you really want one of those peaky beasts in a street car? I’m getting off topic though…

In most modern engines, enrichment above stoichometric has potential to create some decent torque gains in the midrange, although at the expense of BSFC. Conversely, when not seeking additional torque, leaning out the mix will help with BSFC, at the “expense” of not having peak 3-way catalyst efficacy due to the non-stoich mix. Personally, I can live with that! In any given application, peak horsepower may or may not go up, as that’s more an issue of volumetric efficiency at peak mass flow rates.

I LOVE the idea of being able to fine-tune the mix on the fly! Once again, I DO understand the goals that you’ve achieved, and if you do decide to make kits available, I know several other people besides myself that would definitely buy an LH compatible kit.

Please keep us informed! (or keep ME informed via PM!)

duxthe1 · #52 03-02-2009, 01:30 PM

Update: I've begun re-writing the software to give 10 steps of adjustment at 30mv each. It will have the same 300mv range plus or minus but each step will be a finer adjustment, 10x30mv v/s 6x50mv This change to the software will simplify adding a pushbutton to display which of the ten steps the controller is currently set at. The button I'm adding will halt the operation of the controller while pressed and display which of the ten steps the adjustment potentiometer is set to using the 10 LED display. Upon release of the button it will resume normal operation. The only problem I can forsee is whether the CIS ECU will recognise an O2 sensor fault if the button repains pressed for too long. I'm not going to put much emphasis on preventing that unless it does show itself to be a problem. Right now I'm more concerned with getting the modifications to the software operational.

C.Doner · #53 02-23-2016, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duxthe1

Of course I'd like to be able to sell it to anyone who would buy it. Right now it's still in what I would consider the testing phase. So far it has performed great but there are a few things I think I'd like to incorporate into the design. Foremost I've been considering adding a small pushbutton that would chage the 10 led display from displaying the O2 voltage to displaying 1 through 6 representing which level of enrichment the controller is set at. I've still got one pin left on the microcontroller and I think that would be a nice addition to the controller.

The next thing to consider is the design of a PCB and the assembly of the unit. I've thought about selling the controller as a kit. It would be cheaper and easier for me to supply the schematic, parts list, instructions, and programmed chip. Though having to build your own would probably turn off a lot of potential buyers. There is a lot of consideration when turning a hobby into a business. Honestly, I havn't put much effort into that yet. At this point you are the first person that has expressed interest.

Do you have the ability to make another one? I may be interested. I am thinking of replacing my lambda controller in the future in the m110 280sl. Of course if it would cost an an arm and a leg I would have to consider it.

duxthe1 · #54 02-23-2016, 07:47 PM

Sorry but that project is 7 years old. I've still got it stashed away somewhere as it can be a useful diagnostic tool every once in a blue moon but I've long since ditched the CIS for EFI.