SCCA RX7 RACER

Hi All

I,m working on a buddy's Microteck Lt-8 system for a 13B RX7 on our work shop bench to see how thing are set up inside. We plug in our laptop computer in to the unit. Turn on the unit using the main power (Red wire) and grounds (Two brown wires).We have the green power light on. We then connect up to the LT-8 through com port #1. It then seems to connect to the unit. The screen changes showing us Data Outputs on the bottom, programmer navigation keys, short cut PROG keys etc. At this point the red light flashes 6 quick pulses then pauses for two second. This repeats it's self until we turn the LT-8 off and on again. Start back to connecting com port1 then it starts to flash again. I understand that this may be an error message but I can not navigate the box to the upper left that is displayed and labeled program. This box has no information displayed it is just a small blue box. Each time we hit a button in the programmer's box the TX indicator light (Bottom Right) flashes from green to red real quick then back to green. It works for all the buttons less REC (Data button).

Just to play I hit 3D chart button and the TX button flashes in the small blue screen the words in red back ground read Loading Chart.... and the word loading appears in the Rx Data box bottom right but nothing seams to show up.

Just to play again I hit the matrix table button the TX button flashes in the small blue screen the words in red back ground read Loading Chart.... and the word loading appears in the Rx Data box bottom right a table shows up but nothing on the table.

Just to play some more we hit Data Gages and receive a error message “ Run-time error '13': Type mismatch” we hit OK or the X button to close the error message and we loose our Microteck program and have to reopen it again and start over.

All the other buttons under the function tab seam to do nothing.


Could this a problem with my comp port 1 settings if so what should they be set at for best results? Is there some thing extra I must do to get this box to show information?

Looking forward to a positive reply.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

Do you have the laptop adapter installed?

SCCA RX7 RACER

Hi Arron.

You have helped me out in the Megasquirt forum many times. I am using the same laptop that I use to comunicate to the Megasquirt computer in my race car. Would there be a differance in set up? I use the 8 bit 9600 setting for the Megasquirt and I tried all three USB ports on this laptop plus changed the speed rating only. It seem to hook up to the Microteck through com port 1 each time with no delay. I have never seen a Microteck screen in operation so I do not know what to expect.

Best Regards,
Kim
RX7 Racer

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

Whoa....If you are referring to the USB to serial adapter, that's only one part of the equation.

The Microtech requires a laptop adapter to program it via the laptop. It's a separate piece that looks a bit like a gender changer and contains a bit of stuff to allow communication and store maps.

http://www.microtechefi.com/microtec...?product_id=10

Welcome to the convoluted world of the Microtech. Where things like "save map to disk" and "3D timing tables" are apparently too advanced to be programmed in the 6 years they've been promising we'd get them...

SCCA RX7 RACER

We have the disc and 9 pin cable but no little adapter. If I am right we need that small 2 inch long adaoter as well. Correct me if I am wronge. If so thats completely nuts to force people to continue to get small odds and ends to make this system to work. But we are in their boat now, might as well start to row. Is there a supplier in North America I can get it from (Dealer)?

RX7 Racer

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

It has something to do with avoiding patent issues. Apparently someone else owns the patent on programming an ECU via a direct serial connection, so Microtech gets around it by using the adapter. Which brings up several questions:

1. Why does no other ECU need an adapter (including the open source Megasquirt)?

2. Why is the adapter not included FOR FREE with the ECU since it is Microtech's decision to "cheat" the patent?

3. Why does the software do idiotic things like crash and lock up instead of just display an error saying "No laptop adapter found"?

Anyway, I don't know of any local dealer. But A-Spec is a dealer and they were the ones who supplied my adapter.

SCCA RX7 RACER

I think it is just another way to get the few extra $ from the customer. I,ll pick one up and play with this system out of a car for now just to see what it looks like and how it should be used.

Aaron in your opinion is this system better or worse than the Megasquirt that I have in my race car which make the car perform quite well (Set track record times)?Put aside the fact of quote "Welcome to the convoluted world of the Microtech." LOL. In the area of reliability and fine tuning of the injector system.

I have a back up Megasquirt CPU that I carry to the track. I used it once in four years. One of my Q15 transistors craped out to cause my secondary injectors to not come on line. Thanks to the way the Megasquirt was built and all the information from their site I trouble shooted the problem and fix in house.

This Microteck unit I pulled out of a parts car and sold to a friend He came back to me and said it worked for a few on off cycles then quit. I have taken the Microteck apart to fix a power problem with it. It was only a small cube relay not latching. I did notice that Microteck ground off all the numbers on the chips inside. And there are no electrical drawings like Megasquirt to fix it. Back to the old they got you by the ***** route.

The reason I ask is my buddy will give me his Microteck so I can install it in to the race car that I have now. Then I plan to use the Megasquirt in another project because I can change the program in the Megasquirt to fit almost any thing.

Not to stroke you too much but I have seen many of your answers on the web sites in regards to these CPU units. You do have the understanding and experience more than most out there. So I will take the wisdom that you can forward to me, Oh great one.

Thanks
SCCA RX7 RACER

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

If you have the Megasquirt working, you should stick with it.

Despite my complaining, I think the Microtech is a good ECU. Not great, but good. I run one on my car. By far I've found it to be the least trouble free of any ECU I've had experience with (and I've had experience with all the common ones). It's immune to noise, cars almost always start the first try after installation, and it's easy to tune. Not being able to save maps to disk is maddening, and having the function of the I/O locked from the factory is stupid.

HOWEVER, the 'Squirt is far more versatile, has a better interpolation method and much better software. The thing is, they are more sensitive to noise and often require a lot more effort to get working correctly.

SCCA RX7 RACER

Going to the track for our long weekend of racing.

RX7 Racer

SCCA RX7 RACER

It turned out to be what Aaron mentioned. I purchased only the adapter from Microtech (Small black plug in adapter). I put it in line with my computer and bingo I have communication. I plan over time to set up the LT-8 to work with my race car. At this time I am using a Mega squirt system with very good success. I hope with a hole bunch of work at my end and a little bit of technical support support from this forum it will spark up and put me up front of my competitors.

Best Regards and thanks so far.

SCCA RX7 RACER