could you take a wideband sensor and run it directly to a laptop somehow and just read the afr from the laptop? and log it too.?

 

No, the sensor needs to be connected to a controller, such as that offered by TechEdge, FJO, etc.

 

why couldnt the laptop be a controller. with special software that is.

 

The controller also supplies power to the wideband sensor and provides outputs that most of us would prefer. It's not like a controller is a lot of money....

 

It also heats the wideband sensor to 600 degrees, so that It reads properly... you could then take the 0-5v signal and run it into a serial connection and plot the voltage over time in Excel

 

Why would the wideband needed to be warmed up? Just warm up the car. correct me if im wrong.

 

You're wrong.

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/news3.php

 

so the 1800 degree gases of the rotary arent enough?

 

I guess you didn't read the article I linked....

 

I had an AEM wideband and it outputted in volts. I was looking into simple laptop datalogging tools, but then I sold the rx7.

 

I sure did, and it said they are temperature dependent.
So why not make it temp dependent off the exhaust gases.

 

The O2 Sensor doesn't give accurate reading untill warm, so untill the rotary provides adaquate enegry (heat) to warm up the sensor it will be off, possibly by a lot. Also O2's are sometimes prone to Carbon Deposits, the warmup helps burn the carbon deposits early, so they don't form and impede accuracy. Basically, you have a little box, that takes the readings, from the O2, interprets those to a 0-5v signal, and for some a 0-1v as well, to keep the stock ecu happy. As well as heating and sometimes data logging, or giving a PC-Interface to the unit.

Bottom Line, Wideband Sensor without controller = useless.

 

ahhh ok, to burn off the excess carbons.