PLX Devices DM-6 Gauges Review.
08-16-13, 12:50 AM
#1
PLX Devices DM-6 Gauges Review.
I bought and installed an older PLX wideband in an rx7.com dual gauge pod that goes in the center speaker spot about 4 years ago. I actually bought the gauge and module off of Mr. David Hayes when he was at Kilo's shop in Orlando. Both awesome guys.
That gauge worked absolutely awesome for the entire time it was in the car in the pod where the center speaker goes.
About 6 months ago I upgraded my gauges and went with 2 DM-6 touch multi gauges from Plx. I also ordered a boost/vacuum module and liquid pressure module that could be used for either oil or fuel pressure (what is very nice about that module is it has 2 inputs. So one pressure per pump or one fuel pressure one oil pressure. Well thought out in my opinion. I only did one fuel pressure since my factory gauge is working.)
Went to get them installed by rotary performance. (By this time I moved to Houston) and both of the gauges I bought were DOA. PLX then charged me for shipping back which wasn't a problem. We get the new gauges, then we find out the vacuum/boost module is not reading vacuum properly. After some kind words Plx agreed to pay for the shipping for that module. They didn't want to at first but after I explained that this module would have been coming back if their gauges worked from the factory they agreed. I get that module back, still not exact but close (comparing to PFC).
I like the functionality of the gauges, the touch feature and the versatility. I personally don't like the LED sweep. As it reverses the normal sweep of any wideband I've seen from reading left to right lean to rich. It took getting used to. But everything else it works with. It also reads different settings of AFR. Lamda, the normal one I'm used to seeing. (Can't remember the other setting.)
On the vacuum boost display it reads either mmHg - Kg/cm or inHg - PSI. Which is nice for testing and comparison with the PFC. My major complaint with the gauge itself is how it displays the info in numerical value. The LED itself sweeps nicely. Green from the left shows vacuum then once your yellow going clockwise you're in boost. However, the value shown is a number with very small writing below that number saying either vacuum or boost. It is very difficult to see within a few feet. And if you are in the PSI function it is difficult to determine (quick checks) what exactly you are looking at. My thought is there is more than enough room in the display to show a - or + for easier viewing.
The fuel pressure works great I haven't tried changing the factory PSI displays so I can't attest to other settings.
What I also like about the gauges is the ability for min max viewing and also alarms. I linked the gauges together to give warnings when certain parameters are met. Like a loss of fuel pressure or at full boost the AFR rising.
Now my biggest complaint. The gauges were installed in about February. And worked great. Then it started becoming normal weather in Texas. In April I started noticing the parameters I wanted shown were changing at random times at most every other week. Usually after getting off a run toward redline. I figured a voltage thing or something. I also want to point out I am still using the same Wibeband AFR module that I bought from Mr. Hayes. This went on for a little bit with a few emails to PLX asking for help, no response.
This July I moved out of my house and had to store the car at my office outside unfortunately
and I went over there the beginning of the month to go to an Autocross. I start the car the gauges then start deciding what parameter and form of display they want to show. Be it graphical, peak and min, or numerical. I set the left gauge at AFR at all times and the right gauge is set to fuel pressure during Autocross and boost for street driving. But as much as I enjoy my gauges telling me the blank fuel pressure input and boost at 7500 rpm during an Autocross.... Again emails and calls no response. I am going to try out the innovate AFR gauge in the left pod and don't know what in the right pod yet. But I am personally done with the Plx multi touch gauges. Mainly touch.
In conclusion, I like the point and the attempt at what they wanted to do, but as far as I can see, in heat, the gauges don't last long before starting to take a mind of their own. I don't have video yet but I am going to set up my gopro on them ASAP to give an idea of what I'm talking about.
If this isn't the right section please move it to where it needs to be. Sorry I did post in the wrong area.
That gauge worked absolutely awesome for the entire time it was in the car in the pod where the center speaker goes.
About 6 months ago I upgraded my gauges and went with 2 DM-6 touch multi gauges from Plx. I also ordered a boost/vacuum module and liquid pressure module that could be used for either oil or fuel pressure (what is very nice about that module is it has 2 inputs. So one pressure per pump or one fuel pressure one oil pressure. Well thought out in my opinion. I only did one fuel pressure since my factory gauge is working.)
Went to get them installed by rotary performance. (By this time I moved to Houston) and both of the gauges I bought were DOA. PLX then charged me for shipping back which wasn't a problem. We get the new gauges, then we find out the vacuum/boost module is not reading vacuum properly. After some kind words Plx agreed to pay for the shipping for that module. They didn't want to at first but after I explained that this module would have been coming back if their gauges worked from the factory they agreed. I get that module back, still not exact but close (comparing to PFC).
I like the functionality of the gauges, the touch feature and the versatility. I personally don't like the LED sweep. As it reverses the normal sweep of any wideband I've seen from reading left to right lean to rich. It took getting used to. But everything else it works with. It also reads different settings of AFR. Lamda, the normal one I'm used to seeing. (Can't remember the other setting.)
On the vacuum boost display it reads either mmHg - Kg/cm or inHg - PSI. Which is nice for testing and comparison with the PFC. My major complaint with the gauge itself is how it displays the info in numerical value. The LED itself sweeps nicely. Green from the left shows vacuum then once your yellow going clockwise you're in boost. However, the value shown is a number with very small writing below that number saying either vacuum or boost. It is very difficult to see within a few feet. And if you are in the PSI function it is difficult to determine (quick checks) what exactly you are looking at. My thought is there is more than enough room in the display to show a - or + for easier viewing.
The fuel pressure works great I haven't tried changing the factory PSI displays so I can't attest to other settings.
What I also like about the gauges is the ability for min max viewing and also alarms. I linked the gauges together to give warnings when certain parameters are met. Like a loss of fuel pressure or at full boost the AFR rising.
Now my biggest complaint. The gauges were installed in about February. And worked great. Then it started becoming normal weather in Texas. In April I started noticing the parameters I wanted shown were changing at random times at most every other week. Usually after getting off a run toward redline. I figured a voltage thing or something. I also want to point out I am still using the same Wibeband AFR module that I bought from Mr. Hayes. This went on for a little bit with a few emails to PLX asking for help, no response.
This July I moved out of my house and had to store the car at my office outside unfortunately
and I went over there the beginning of the month to go to an Autocross. I start the car the gauges then start deciding what parameter and form of display they want to show. Be it graphical, peak and min, or numerical. I set the left gauge at AFR at all times and the right gauge is set to fuel pressure during Autocross and boost for street driving. But as much as I enjoy my gauges telling me the blank fuel pressure input and boost at 7500 rpm during an Autocross.... Again emails and calls no response. I am going to try out the innovate AFR gauge in the left pod and don't know what in the right pod yet. But I am personally done with the Plx multi touch gauges. Mainly touch. In conclusion, I like the point and the attempt at what they wanted to do, but as far as I can see, in heat, the gauges don't last long before starting to take a mind of their own. I don't have video yet but I am going to set up my gopro on them ASAP to give an idea of what I'm talking about.
If this isn't the right section please move it to where it needs to be. Sorry I did post in the wrong area.
08-16-13, 02:54 AM
#3
talking head
besides the jumper being loose ..i suspect also you have a lot of RFI that may be affecting the gauges,, try some resistive plugs
else it could just be a rouge connector along that serial bus
,, you get more tees and mic connectors with each unit so should have a few spares
,, try swapping them around to isolate the wire that is vulnerable to noise
as for the error between the record on the gauge,, and that on the data log ,, is often they may not have the same algorithm to convert back the 5v signal and thus the one in the ECU requires calibrate
and often ( as in my case ) there is two points different between gauge and data log,,
i suspect purely as tiny volt losses internally in the translation through to the serial socket internally in the smafr2
( in your case.. pressure unit )
if its too much drama you could also try using the dm5 gauges.. which are dedicated to the job you want them for ( dont connect the serial hub )
in the same way,, if you have same amount of DM6 units as control boxes,, you can have them all connected individually and not along the hub,, presto each can only display one device
else it could just be a rouge connector along that serial bus
,, you get more tees and mic connectors with each unit so should have a few spares
,, try swapping them around to isolate the wire that is vulnerable to noise
as for the error between the record on the gauge,, and that on the data log ,, is often they may not have the same algorithm to convert back the 5v signal and thus the one in the ECU requires calibrate
and often ( as in my case ) there is two points different between gauge and data log,,
i suspect purely as tiny volt losses internally in the translation through to the serial socket internally in the smafr2
( in your case.. pressure unit )
if its too much drama you could also try using the dm5 gauges.. which are dedicated to the job you want them for ( dont connect the serial hub )
in the same way,, if you have same amount of DM6 units as control boxes,, you can have them all connected individually and not along the hub,, presto each can only display one device
04-07-14, 01:58 PM
#5
As far as I am concerned there is no PLX sensor to track fuel pressure! The fluid pressure is only recommended for OIL pressure! That is explicitly stated at PLX's website!
PLX SM-FP | Oil Pressure Sensor
PLX SM-FP | Oil Pressure Sensor
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