Lotus Elan Central

by **tigerdog** » Sun 10.06.2007, 16:01

Am I interpreting correctly that the output of the ECU is TTL serial (similar to RS-232) and ElanScan requires a USB-Serial converter with appropriate driver to be used on a laptop with USB interface? If yes, does this circuit (more detail) product look like something that might do the trick? Obviously, the on-board RS232 connector is superfluous but could be removed and replaced with pigtail to the appropriate ALDL connector.

by **GeoffSmith** » Sun 10.06.2007, 17:09

That's a good choice as it uses the FTDI device and you can set the latency to 1ms. You cannot feed directly into the ECU however as ALDL is a bi-directional data line and you may damage the ECU, so you still need to interface the RS232/TTL signals to ALDL. ESM has some information on DIY designs on his old website.

by **Gary** » Sun 10.06.2007, 18:25

Can you produce a cable and undercut our current supplier then :poke:

by **GeoffSmith** » Sun 10.06.2007, 20:14

Gary wrote:Can you produce a cable and undercut our current supplier then

Please do! :bowdown:

As Alan stopped doing them, I offered to knock out a few. Sixty five is not a few and SWMBO is questioning what I am doing in the loft all the time rather than decorating. :evil:

Tell you what, if TD or anyone else takes this on, I'll put the price up to what the Esprit boys are paying and the others will be so cheap by comparison that even Gary will buy one. :twisted:

Geoff

by **tigerdog** » Sun 10.06.2007, 20:47

geoffsmith wrote:That's a good choice as it uses the FTDI device and you can set the latency to 1ms. You cannot feed directly into the ECU however as ALDL is a bi-directional data line and you may damage the ECU, so you still need to interface the RS232/TTL signals to ALDL. ESM has some information on DIY designs on his old website.

Ah! Makes sense now; I didn't realize the ALDL data line is a half-duplex link. In addition to the part shown above, looks like I'd need to build up the circuit shown here. This is so simple, maybe even an old dog like me can do it. Something to try in my "spare time". ;-)

by **tigerdog** » Sun 10.06.2007, 20:49

Gary wrote:Can you produce a cable and undercut our current supplier then

I don't want to undercut anyone - especially someone as helpful as our current supplier! I'm just daft enough to try a project like this on my own. If I get it to work, then I'll publish the details. Of course, if I fail, look for my "ECU Wanted" ad elsewhere in the forum. :shock:

by **Gary** » Sun 10.06.2007, 21:35

Game on

by **GeoffSmith** » Sun 10.06.2007, 21:51

tigerdog wrote:Ah! Makes sense now; I didn't realize the ALDL data line is a half-duplex link. In addition to the part shown above, looks like I'd need to build up the circuit shown here. This is so simple, maybe even an old dog like me can do it. Something to try in my "spare time".

Or you could do what I have done for my USB link and develop an opto coupled link to avoid possibility of damaging the ECU/pc.

The circuit above does work quite well but add a diode in series with the base of Q2 to improve the noise immunity. If you want an ALDL plug, I can source those too.

Good luck and thank you for taking over the albatross! :twisted:

Geoff

PS on the basis that we both know what half duplex is, I assume this won't be wasted on you: Remember that there are 10 types of people on this planet; those that know binary and those that don't. :-D

PPS I'm sure you're not as old as me - have you filled in the age survey?

by **tigerdog** » Sun 10.06.2007, 23:17

geoffsmith wrote:Or you could do what I have done for my USB link and develop an opto coupled link to avoid possibility of damaging the ECU/pc.

PS on the basis that we both know what half duplex is, I assume this won't be wasted on you: Remember that there are 10 types of people on this planet; those that know binary and those that don't.

PPS I'm sure you're not as old as me - have you filled in the age survey?

If you'd be willing to share details of the opto-coupled ckt, I'd be willing to try to build it. Especially if we're looking for a second source in order to share the load of construction, I'm game. In in California, so if you're in the UK we can also eliminate the need to cross oceans with shipping.

You're correct about the kinds of people in the world. My 9- and 12-year old sons are the only kids on the block who can count to 31 on one hand. They especially get a giggle out of the number "four".

And I just *might* be as old as you. I'll add to the age survey for your edification. I didn't respond before because, well, I didn't have a Lotus.

by **GeoffSmith** » Mon 11.06.2007, 00:24

Tigerpuppy!

by **paulrwebster** » Mon 11.06.2007, 19:25

tigerdog wrote:You're correct about the kinds of people in the world. My 9- and 12-year old sons are the only kids on the block who can count to 31 on one hand. They especially get a giggle out of the number "four".

Two makes me giggle :smt116

by **tigerdog** » Mon 11.06.2007, 19:41

paulrwebster wrote:Two makes me giggle

Probably the same reason. I use my thumb as the least significant digit and work towards the pinky.

by **GeoffSmith** » Mon 11.06.2007, 20:48

390!

by **GeoffSmith** » Mon 11.06.2007, 20:50

Or should that be 0186? :smt044

by **tigerdog** » Mon 11.06.2007, 21:35

oooh! my brain hurts!!!

by **dapinky** » Mon 11.06.2007, 22:25

Geoff..........

...... all i can say is 6!

by **Doug** » Tue 12.06.2007, 21:26

by **GeoffSmith** » Tue 12.06.2007, 21:38

Doug wrote:69

0001000101 or 45 as we know it.

BTW Doug, have you met TigerPuppy? He's also called Doug. To keep a link to his user name and to avoid confusion, I suggest we call him StripeyDoug. :twisted:

132.....

Lotus Elan Central

DIY Interface - is this a viable alternative?

DIY Interface - is this a viable alternative?

Who is online