Mega Jolt Light Junior thread for a /6, Because folks have asked Options

[Dr Evil]

So I made mention of my MJLJ in a few threads as of late which has seemed to generate some interest in my build/progress (?).

A little back ground on me: I have over 10 years of electronics/electrical trouble shooting and assemblyexperience form both high school, and the Coast Guard where I was an Avionics Technician. This is why I had no problem assembling the MJLJ unit. However, I am not a computer guy and programming is proving to be a HUGE PITA.

The build:
MJLJ uses EDIS which is a Ford distributorless electronic ignition system. The information for this part is available at http://picasso.org/mjlj/

To use the unit you will need a 36-1 toothed gear for the crank and a VR sensor. I am including pics of my pieces.

Here would be a good place to show your prowess in programming as I am lost. it seems that my USB--> serial adaptor is not working, or it could be the unit. More to come. Post pics here for discussion.

Pics are of the toothed gear installed and of the pully with it mounted separate.

[Dr Evil]

Here is a pic of my assembled unit, it is a V2 board that uses a MAP sensor.

[lapuwali]

A lot of people in MS land have had a lot of trouble with USB serial adapters. Some of them just don't work. Try searching on msefi.com and see if you can get any recommendations on adapters known to work.

It's good to see Picasso back up again. He vanished there for awhile, and I was afraid he'd withdrawn the product.

I'm on the fence about whether to use his thing and do ignition/CIS on my 6, or use the Megasquirt I have to drive the EDIS, and later use the Bitz racing parts to go EFI. Or, use the MS on the FIAT...

[TimT]

You may have a problem getting a good MAP signal if your using ITBs. I did a quick once over on the picasso site, and note that you can use TPS for loading instead of MAP. This will probably work better

[Aaron Cox]

mike has CIS, so i assume single TB

[TimT]

mike has CIS, so i assume single TB

Then the vacuum signal should be good

[Dr Evil]

Ya, I have no provision on the V2 board for TB pick up. I woudl just use the vacuum tap off of the TB that usually goes to the advance for my set up.

USB--->Serial issues:
You are correct, Sir. There have been issues with adaptors. Some work, others do not and no one knows why. There are several threads on this topic on the posted site above if you just search "USB". Tonight I used hyperterminal to check my MJLJ and I believe it has shown me that my adaptor is not working. I will attempt to track down a serial cable tomarrow and use my desk top. Hopefully I will have better results.


Question: I need to set the timing curve to my cams, correct? I have SC cams in my engine instead of the stock CIS cams from a '74. This is only made more confusing due to the small bit of advance that the SC curve below shows. The others are like 30 deg +

I am attaching some tables for others to use should they want to do this as well.

[Dr Evil]

I will be getting a vacuum gauge from some where to measure the diferrent pressures at different RPMs. I will need to do this to be able to program my MJLJs vacuum advance curve.

[TimT]

You can use the curves you posted as a starting point. Note the SC curves only show the centrifugal part of the advance curve. The amount of vacuum advance is in addition to what is indicated on those two graphs. Also note that the RPM axis on those two graphs show distributor shaft speed....ie 1/2 crank speed

Im at work now, and dont have the resources here to check, but i believe that an SC had total advance of 30 @ 3000 rpm.

You will also have to find the static advance your system has..find by using a timing light, cranking or running the engine with no advance added from the computer, and noting the amount of advance. This number is important, all timing is added to the base or static number.

Im leaving work now... will continue later or tomorrow

[Dr Evil]

Good observation, Tim. I did not notice those things. I don;t knwo what an SC is supposed to be at. I believe it is 5 ATDC at idle and 35-38 at 6K (Need to find when the max advance is reached).

I am first gettingit working with the dizzy, just FYI. I am not crazy enough to try this on a new engine that i have no experience with.

[DNHunt]

Dr. Evil

I'm not sure how much this will help you but here is the spark table from my /4 with MS II and EDIS ignition. It seems to be serving me well.

I know your MJ lite is 8x8 but there are a couple of things that you can glean from this. With programmable ignition you can back out a little timing in the higher RPMs to compensate for piston speed and you may find that the stock advance curve can be improved on. It's certainly a good place to start.

Dave

[Dr Evil]

Dr. Dave, I am always appreciative of any info. I hope to get to that point, but I still can not resolve the comms issue between my puter and the box. I need to get a serial cable and try the desk top.

Thanks for you info (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[DNHunt]

Dr. Dave, I am always appreciative of any info. I hope to get to that point, but I still can not resolve the comms issue between my puter and the box. I need to get a serial cable and try the desk top.

Thanks for you info (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Serial is the easiest for sure but, I am using a USB to serial with mine. It isn't perfect but, it works. First, make sure that you have a straight through serial cable and not a null modem. Check out the MS sight for their work around with USB. They've been able to set up the com port to help. Also, if you get desperate, there are PCMCIA to serial adaptors for you're card slot on the laptop. I know NewEgg has them.

Dave

[Dr Evil]

Well, I got the serial cable (the right one that has pin 1 =pin 1 and so forth), down laoded java onto my desk top, attempted to assemble the directories, and got the same damn results (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) I am not a programmer at all. I do not know what the hel I am doing and I can not seem to find a step by step for how to get the programs set up to work.

I did check my connection to the box with hyperterminal and as far as I can tell it was good; S = C, and C = a bunch of garbage.

Now what the heck do I do.

The only thing that went well today was that I fixed my neighbiors lamp. At least it is somthing and I welcomed the victory in light of current events (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Dr Evil]

I have re read and checked my download and directory assembly and found that I have made no errors so far as the instructions go. I found an easy to read form here http://picasso.org/mjlj/?q=node/332 for us non computer types.

I still can not find out why my comm1 serial port will not communicate with the box even though it will run with hyperterminal.

I did check my serial port settings in my device manager and it is listed as com1 and is enabled.


??????

[wilchek]

What operating system are u using win 95,98, ME, 2000 or XP. I just ran into a problem last week working on some digital PH testers that use a serial connection. Worked fine on win 95 and 98, but failed on 2000. I assume your computer is probably higher than win 98 which may be your problem. The go around was to boot the machine and then plug in the serial cable after it booted. Let me know, I have a win 98 laptop that you can have for tuning if u need it. I acquired it from my sister in law and have never really used it. my 2cents from an IT trainer and hack tech guy.

Check this out
http://picasso.org/mjlj/?q=node/242

[Dr Evil]

Yup, using XP. All of the instructions say the same thing and I am following them to a T. I will try what you suggested as I am open to options. I do need to get that computer from you eventually when I get the unit in the car.

[wilchek]

ya let me know. Win xp tries to auto recognize what the device is that plugs in(plug and play). However, your type of device is unknown and will end up normally installing as a mouse or something that it thinks it is. XP just takes a guess as to what it is, which is often wrong. Plugging it in after it boots will sometimes avoid the plug and play process and allow the software you installed to work. I am busy the next two weeks, working all day and taking grad classes from 5-10 pM at night. I also have to take a state teaching certification test next Saturday (4 hours long ahhh). Maybe the week after that we can get together.

[Dr Evil]

I'm pretty open except for the 15-19 of June when I will be in sunny, tropical Minnesota don't ya know.

[fiid]

I'm at a total loss for what this problem is at this time.... Are there any screenshots you could post with the actual error you get?