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Actually Tracy now recommends the
SpeedUino boards and using TunerStudio (there is a free version)
as the modern solution.
Yes, you'll have to do a bit of work if you want redundancy and
manual mixture control.
I see them on eBay for about $150 each. Add relays to switch
between the outputs of the boards for redundancy.
A bit of cooperative work on the open source SpeedUino code and
you could have manual mixture control, if not already done by now.
So it doesn't really doesn't have to be all that expensive. Maybe
$400 for the hardware. Naturally, if you want an of-the-shelf
solution and expect hand holding and support, you most likely have
to pay for it.
So why did I chose a RWS EC3 for the RV-4 I'm building in spite of
Tracy's recommendation?
The RV-3B I bought and have been flying has RWS EC2 and EM2, so
I'm familiar with the operation of it.
And I guess I was too lazy to get into SpeedUino and learn that.
Just seemed easier to install an EC3 and go fly. Would have worked
too, if I hadn't listened to the warnings about using the stock
Renesis ignition coils and gone and bought LS2 coils (D585). Also
in the back of my mind was the track record of Tracy's
controllers. I never really had a problem with them. In my mind
they were reliable and proven. I guess one tends towards what one
is familiar with. I should say that I still kind of enjoy
tinkering with software and hardware. There is a certain
satisfaction in overcoming obstacles and making things work,
although it can be very time consuming.
I think we can draw a parallel to the mindset it takes to make
your engine installation from scratch and just install a Lycoming.
So, with the data I now have, I think I would recommend what Tracy
recommends for any new installations and only get spares for
working EC2/3 installations. If I understand it right, there is
wide support for SpeedUino out there.
Finn
On 6/18/2020 6:06 PM, 12348ung@gmail.com wrote:
Re Tracy ECM.
I note all the
grief that is going back and forward and sympathise with you
all. I had trouble with mine way back, sent it back to
Tracy and it took 3 months before I saw it again. Decided
then that this was not a good way to go as Tracy was semi
retired then already. Tracy to me was absolutely brilliant
in what he did, but that was 40 years ago?? So I bought a
fueltech unit which is current technology but very dear
compared to Tracy’s ECM. I have not regretted this
purchase. The engine log can be emailed for support and
within 24 hours you are fixed up. Then I am totally
computer illiterate, so unable to fix anything like that
myself, so I pay as usual.
Neil.
Hi Bobby,
Actually Tracy does have a few new EC3 boards. I didn't ask
how many.
The hot question really is how big is the demand (quantity)?
I probably have enough data from him (schematics, parts
lists, PCB layout) to get a production run done.
Tracy is serious about having retired. I was really, really
lucky to get his help.
I think a big reason for his decision to retire is to have
time to enjoy life. I think the majority of his time before
his retirement was spent on support (phone, emails).
He really has no economic incentive to come out of
retirement.
So while we could get a production run done, I doubt anyone
would be willing to spend time on support -- certainly not
for new installations. Also the variety of engines,
accessories and specialized programming for some
installations would make it a nightmare to program the
chips. Solution for that would probably be to read the
working chips for your installation and then program the new
chips with that, but then some would not get the latest
features (closed loop, auto program using EC3 w/o EM).
I thought I might take it on, but having second thoughts :)
Will probably be a few days before I'm ready to roll the
fuselage out of the hangar and do engine runs.
Finn
On 6/18/2020 10:18 AM, Bobby J. Hughes bhughes@qnsi.net
wrote:
Thanks
Finn. I downloaded the files and notes. Once you are
confident the hardware and software works properly we
might consider a onetime production run of EC3’s for
existing EC2/3 owners. I would like to have a tested spare
available. It would likely take Tracy’s involvement to
facilitate the board build or at least provided the
suppler information and proper Rev number.
I
really appreciate the work you, Steve Izett and Steve B.
are doing.
Bobby
From:
Rotary motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 6:11 PM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] EC3 software for Renesis
RX-8/LS2 coils fixed and uploaded
Here it is:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mVzPOxUwcGUlPizxnRF40nUyKBzfT4DC?usp=sharing
It's EC3closedloop.zip.
You may want to grab it now in case Google decides to close
my account :)
You can program the 18F452 chips directly using the
EC3CL8.HEX file, or open EC3ClosedLoop.mcp in MPLAB IDE,
compile and program. This is for RX-8 (EC3 engine type A8),
LS2 coils (D585), large secondary injectors, default is wide
band O2 sensor.
Turns out Tracy has never programmed or delivered an EC3 for
Renesis with LS2 coils.
Software was missing code to load LS2 coils dwell time.
I added Steve's code for configuration bits so don't have to
remember what to set them to when programming.
I set all protection bits to zero to avoid any chip
reprogramming troubles, but you could change to:
; CONFIG6L
CONFIG WRT0 = ON ; Write Protection bit (Block 0 (000200-001FFFh) write protected)
Finn
ENG EQU 0xA8 ;PUT ENGINE TYPE CODE
HERE AND CHECK **** ALL **** FLAGS BELOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
N109TC EQU 0x00 ;N109TC USES A DIFFERENT
assignment of coil drivers CLEAR for ALL except N109TC
!!!!! and KERMIT unit 20B controllers
DIAG EQU 0x00 ;DIAG ==1 ALLOWS DIAGNOSTIC USE
OF 02H&L
; ***************** CHECK ALL FLAGS BEFORE PROGRAM MING
CHIPS !!!!!
**************************************************
; *************** DWELL TIME FLAGS *SET ONLY
ONE* ***********************************************
RX8COIL EQU 0x00 ;1= 2.6MS DWELL TIME
(RX-8 COIL)
RX7COIL EQU 0x00 ;1= 3.5MS DWELL TIME USED
(also used for A7 2007 option)
LS1COIL EQU 0x00 ;1= 4.3 MS DWELL USED
HONDACOIL EQU 0x00 ;1= 1.7 MS DWELL (A
REALLY TINY COIL)
LS2COIL EQU 0x01 ;1= 4.0 MS DWELL
TURBO EQU 0x00 ;0 = NA, 1 = TURBO VERSION
(BIT 0 SET IN ECINFO IF TRUE)
BFACTOR EQU D'20' ;BOOST RETARD FOR
IGNITION TIMING lower value = more boost retard (25 IS USED
FOR MOST ROTARY 20 on 03-05-09,
LGSEC EQU 0x01 ;0 = PRI & SEC
INJECTORS SAME SIZE 1 = LARGER SECONDARY INJECTORS (RENESIS
4 port)
WIDEBAND EQU 0x01 ;0 = NARROWBAND O2 SENSOR
IN USE, 1 = WIDEBAND SENSOR IN USE.
TEMPSENSOR EQU 0x00 ;0 = THERMISTOR, 1 = LM34
MAPSENSOR EQU 0x00 ;0 = MPX4250 SENSOR, 1 =
MPX4115 (EARLIER VERSION OF EC2 ONLY)
BUSENSOR EQU 0x00 ;0 = NO BACKUP SENSOR, 1 =
BACKUP INSTALLED (0xA8,0xA9,AB,AD,B1,B2,B4 0-200 ENGINE
ONLY)
BREW EQU 0x00 ;0 = SET TO 1 FOR 3RD GEN
13BREW ENGINES : COMPENSATES FOR 5 DEG EARLIER 3RD GEN
TIMING OF CAS
ONEINJ EQU 0x00 ;0 = NORMAL 2 INJECTOR PER
ROTOR 1 = 1 INJ PER ROTOR (NOT RECOMMENDED)
CONT EQU 0x00 ;0 = NORMAL 0xA9 ENGINE, 1 =
CONTINENTAL/Lyc VARIENT (also sets bu at 18 geg before
primary)
EMT EQU 0x00 ;0 = A9 W/ TRIG @ 6 DEG
ATDC 1 = TDC @ TOOTH 11 (ELECTROMOTIVE TIMING SPEC) also
sets BU at 180 deg
A72007 EQU 0x00 ;0 = PRE 2005 SUBE EJ25 1
= 2005 OR LATER EJ25 W/ RX-8 TYPE CAS
WTF EQU 0x00 ;0 = normal version 1 = BRAT -
AKA - WhatTheFuck project version with transmission control
functions
TBINJ EQU 0x00 ;1= THROTTLE BODY INJECTION
FLAG
LS2_60_2 EQU 0x00 ;1= LS2 ENGINE EQUIPPED
W/60-2 TOOTH TRIGGER WHEEL (USE ENG CODE 0xAB)
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