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Oct 24, 2023 17:48:48 GMT
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Day 8. Nothing much happed today. Managed to find someone who can sort out the ECU set up so we can start the engine. However, the guy who knows about the PDM is in the far East for 6 weeks so that will have to wait, but at least we should be able to get the engine started which will be a big step. One problem I discovered when I took the steering wheel apart was that the company that wired up the car failed to connect the D connector to the Dash 2 screen so it cant be set up! Hopefully that is something that I can do but but it won't delay start up. As there was nothing to do at the workshop I went home and continued on the front clam, tidying up the underside of the splitter. In between layers of filler I thought about how to build a bump steer gauge. MANY years ago (40+) I built one using two pieces of ply hinged together with 2 pins that contacted the wheel. By moving the car up and down (dampers removed) I managed to virtually eliminate bump steer. Didn't fancy making another one so wondered if there was an easier way. Then had a brainstorm. I have a laser level. Could I use that bolted to the wheel? Tested it on a spare wheel and it fits fine. See any reason why this won't work?
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Last Edit: Oct 24, 2023 17:51:15 GMT by nalesutol
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Oct 25, 2023 19:59:57 GMT
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Does the level shoot a laser out the front of it? If so then yeah you should be able to use it to transcribe a curve on something. If you measure the distance to the thing you're pointing at you can calculate the degrees as well.
The main issue as I can see is that you'll get a bit of drift from the arc of your suspension, but I'm sure you can account for that enough to give you a decent reading.
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Oct 25, 2023 20:57:16 GMT
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Does the level shoot a laser out the front of it? If so then yeah you should be able to use it to transcribe a curve on something. If you measure the distance to the thing you're pointing at you can calculate the degrees as well. The main issue as I can see is that you'll get a bit of drift from the arc of your suspension, but I'm sure you can account for that enough to give you a decent reading. Yes, if you look behind the left hand clamp you can just see the laser switch and the laser is below this but recessed. Good point. However, as there will only be around 50-60mm movement in the suspension there isn't going to be much bump steer and probably even less drift so I reckon placing the graph paper around 2m from the laser should give me a decent amount of measurable movement. It will be fun finding out.
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Oct 26, 2023 15:27:16 GMT
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Day 9. Visiting father and friends in Essex so no visit to car.
Day 10 Picked up Sam, the Life F88 guru. He discovered that although my ECU was top of the range 6-8 years ago when I purchased it there was no facility for drive by wire. At the time of purchase we were using cables as FBW wasn't that reliable for racing purposes so this wasn't thought of. Unfortunately the ECU isn't capable of an upgrade to do this so a new one is required. That puts me back walking the streets for the funds :-) I should be able to sell my one for a reasonable amount to offset the cost of the replacement as it is basically unused and still very good. My son would love it but he has also gone DBW.
We are also having problem programming the PDM as the only person we know who can do it is in the Far East for the next 6 weeks :-( However, Alex will contact the Danish manufacturers tomorrow as they offer a Facetime type service to help in setting up. Fingers crossed.
Anyway we were still able to start the engine without a throttle so we could check the oil pressure (which sorted itself out) and the hydraulic lifters (which filled with oil after a quit blip of the throttle by hand). Phew!
First fire up!
No turbo, no water and no throttle control.
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Last Edit: Oct 26, 2023 22:16:48 GMT by nalesutol
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Oct 26, 2023 19:21:14 GMT
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Congrats!!!
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Oct 27, 2023 17:06:46 GMT
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Day 11. New ECU ordered but no idea of cost :-( Anybody interested in a Life F88 ECU? Recent software update but no DBW facility. Basically used for around 2 minutes. Still no further along with sorting the PDM. Anyone know about these things or know someone who does that is not too far from Chelmsford? Bolted up radiator and hoses so we can fill with coolant on Monday. Fitted air filter and ducting to turbo. The plan is to have the car ready for the hub dyno before Christmas. No pressure, then :-)
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Last Edit: Oct 27, 2023 17:22:49 GMT by nalesutol
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Oct 27, 2023 17:51:54 GMT
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Still no further along with sorting the PDM. Anyone know about these things or know someone who does that is not too far from Chelmsford? What is the make and model of your PDM? I am guessing MoTeC PDM16 or 32, maybe? I might be able to help if so.
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Last Edit: Oct 27, 2023 17:52:21 GMT by krissto
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Oct 27, 2023 18:15:57 GMT
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Unfortunately, as the photo shows, it is a Delta PDM, supplied by SCS Ltd but made by HP Electronik in Denmark.
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How on earth I missed that picture is anyone's guess! Maybe you could explain the problem and send the .cfg file? I have installed the PC software to configure an HP8441, which I think is the same as your PDM Delta, just re-badged? To save thread clutter maybe better to take this over to PMs...
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Oct 29, 2023 10:10:21 GMT
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Yes, it is an HP8441. The main issue is when trying to load the installation software we get a fail message. My son, Alex, is planning to talk to PH Electronik tomorrow via Teamviewer, where they can, hopefully, sort out the issues remotely. Fingers and toes crossed. I may also find out the cost of the replacement ECU.
This is all part of the build so I prefer to keep it here.
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Oct 29, 2023 17:24:30 GMT
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Great to hear the engine running! Well Done.
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Oct 29, 2023 18:12:02 GMT
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Great to hear the engine running! Well Done. Built around 15 years ago and never fired up until this point :-)
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Day 14 - Alex had a chat with the PDM manufacturer in Denmark via Teamviewer. Guy sorted out installation issues caused by the unit being so old :-) They will update the firmware for free if I send them the unit, or upgrade to the latest spec (which comes out next week) for 500 Euros.
Only job left for Alex to do is connect the starter motor and then I will bring the car home. As soon as I get the PDM undated/upgraded I will get the ECU guru back to complete the setting up of the ECU and PDM.
Things are moving along, with the plan to get the car on to the hub dyno before Xmas on track.
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For the bump steer; I used a sharpy on a strong stick and the backside of a roll of wallpaper hung up in front of the car. Worked perfect.
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in a similar vein I have used a laser pen and ploted the trajectory on a piece of board in front of the car.
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With PDM working the starter button works! I am still amazed that the tiny lithium battery (weighing just under 1Kg ) works :-)
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Last Edit: Nov 1, 2023 21:58:25 GMT by nalesutol
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jimi
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,082
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excellent
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Black is not a colour ! .... Its the absence of colour
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Good to know you got the PDM issues sorted
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Hopefully, we will know for sure once the new ECU arrives, which should be on Monday. We can then sort out the DBW and a few other issues. For example, the isolator isn't working so we have to bypass it at the moment. Also, we have yet to test the DASH 2 screen or steering wheel buttons. But we are getting there.
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Last Edit: Nov 2, 2023 23:10:18 GMT by nalesutol
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