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Re: Device to monitor ECU signals to BPC Posted by sam96CS [Email]  (#852) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from sam96CS) on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:30:44
In Reply to: Re: Device to monitor ECU signals to BPC, BobS, Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:47:11 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
"Is it worth it?" That really is the question to answer before going to the effort and expense to develop an elegant and robust package.
You're right that we wouldn't pay much attention to a gauge after the novelty wears off. A simple device that tells what signals the ECU is sending is what you want when you're stuck with low boost or the boost fluctuates or sags for no obvious reason. If the same tool also provided useful information about the MAP and TPS, then that would be icing on the cake.
I bought an OBDII scanner before I ever got a CEL. I've had a CEL or two since then. The OBDII scanner doesn't "fix" anything other than extinguishing the CEL if desired. It doesn't tell me exactly what's wrong. It gives me valuable clues about where to look and where not to look, and it does this without causing any harm. My scanner sits idle most of the time, as does the spare DIC and tools in my hatch, but I wouldn't want to be without them. If it was available I would buy a diagnostic tool for BPC, MAP and TPS knowing that sooner or later it will save me a lot of work.
Ari's post is very instructive, perhaps even in a way he didn't intend. He explains exactly how a crude ECU to BPC signal indicator could be made with cheap parts. If you read his post and understand every word, then you might ask why anybody would pay for a tool that they could cobble together with $2 of parts. Chances are good that a lot of folks don't understand it entirely. I understand some of it, and I could learn the rest if I really tried. Would that be an efficient use of my time? Is there a chance that I would misunderstand a detail and kill my BPC or ECU? Is there a chance that I'll do something wrong and the device simply won't work or worse, give me bad information? That's the psychology of the "is it worth it" issue. For someone like Ari the question is, "Do I buy one or make my own?" For someone like me the question is, "Why should I spend the time and take a calculated risk when I could buy a device that works for sure and is easy and safe to use?" The question really is whether the potential market is mostly Sam types or Ari types? My guess is more Sams than Aris by a significant margin. The value we all place on Ari's posts is evidence of that.
The fact that the device will be harmless when designed correctly is the other valuable point Ari makes. It's hard to get a technical product launched in the face of negative publicity, even if the naysayers are wrong. The device, if it existed, probably will not be controversial.
, Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:22:58
, Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:44:00, Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:27:17, Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:13:12, Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:30:44 <-- Viewing This Message, Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:10:17
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