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| Current best dyno power figure: |
| 218.7 kw @ rear wheels |
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| Current best dyno power figure: |
| 218.7 kw @ rear wheels |
| Current best quarter mile: |
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15.0 seconds @ 98mph |
| Advertisement: |
The chip burning process is that of making changes to the data stored on the chips that the daughterboard reads and therefore the ECU. This guide basically deals with the program Prog-studio, and how to use it to burn maps in the correct locations for the daughterboard.
Erasing EPROM chips
Regardless of the type of chips you are using the basic process should be the same, the only change is whether the chips need to be erased first. EPROM chips will need to be placed in a specially made UV eraser to be wiped clean. This may take anywhere up to five minutes depending on the quantity of the chips being erased and the model of UV eraser. Below is a picture of a UV eraser available from www.jaycar.com.au for $189.95 (Catalogue XE4950). It easy to see why i personally chose to spend a little extra on some electronically erasible EEPROMs. If you have purchased similar EEPROM chips then please disregard this stage.
Connecting the EEPROM Programmer
The Batronix E(E)PROM Programmer connects to the computer through the parallel port. This is the same port as the printer, so you will need to disconnect this if you don't have the luxury of two ports. It is always a good idea to have the computer shut down and the power to burner off before connecting to the parallel port, as there is no 'plug and play' option here like USB.
The programmer requires a 14-20V DC power supply. I would recommend trying to supply as close to the 20V mark as possible at all times. The programmer has a voltage regulator built in, but it still might be a nice idea to check the supply voltage with a multimeter before connection. I personally purchased a DC adaptor to power the burner for around $20. Similar units are available from www.jaycar.com.au (pictured below) at similar prices, so attaining something suitable should not be of concern.
My unit have a switchable voltage function from 1.5V DC to 12V DC. However, the actual multimeter measured voltage was around 19.4V when on the 12V setting. The unit even read 20V before it was even plugged in for the first time, so beware.
Now you are connected and ready to burn.
Progstudio Software Tutorial
The Progstudio software appears at though it could be used for much more complicated things than just burning ICs, but still does the job well if you treat it correctly. It seems the program is very temperamental with programming errors so pay attention to avoid much head scratching.
You must already have your ROM files from ROM Editor saved and ready before you start Progstudio. Do not save them as seperate odd/even files in ROM editor as this is not required when using Progstudio. Instead just save the files seperate as normal binaries with the named very clear as to avoid confusion.
This guide will assume that two different maps are being burnt onto two AT28C256 ICs in odd/even formation, as this was the situation relevant to myself.
Choosing your IC
The first thing to do in Progstudio is to select the type of chip you will be working with. This will be available on the surface of the chip, and in my case the ICs were AT28C256. So select the following:
Programmer> Choose IC> EEPROM> AT28C256
A small diagram will appear with the jumper settings for this chip. Just make sure you move them on the programmer to correspond to the picture using the main connection as a reference.
Inserting the IC into the Programmer
This picture taken from the Batronix website illustrates the correct way to mount the IC in the programmer. Take care to make sure that you get it right or much frustration will be had when you get repeated error messages. The software will not realise the IC is inserted incorrectly, it will just churn out errors when you try to program.
Loading the Binaries to be Programmed
Open the map you wish to be as position one on the daughterboard:
File> Open
This will load the file onto the main screen overwriting whatever was previously there. Keep this in mind before opening any new file. What can be seen is the raw data saved from ROM editor, and this is what the ecu reads. It appears much messier because Progstudio does not translate it into the specific areas of mapping like ROM editor. However this should not matter at all, as all of the mapping work is done in ROM editor.
Now the second map will be loaded:
File> Data Import
Select the second binary for map number two on the daughterboard. A box will pop up asking where you want to place the new data. Enter the value: '8000h'. This will place the second map immediately after the first.
There is a pattern associated with the addresses of the multiple binaries. The placement can be seen on the table below. Much thanks to DumHed for providing me with this information.
Using this table you could follow the pattern for four maps over larger ICs. Just observe the start address for wher to import the additional binaries. It can also be seen with this table how the larger binaries of the S14 and S15 Silvia's ECU differ. Again follow the pattern for additional maps.
Programming the ICs
Now that you have the files open and placed in the correct positions you may burn them onto the chips. This is as simple as:
Programmer> Program IC
A new dialogue box will open and the 'More Options' button must be pressed to reveal the odd/even programming options. Down the very bottom under 'Splitting' either the Odd or Even button must be selected, make sure the chip used is clearly labelled accordingly.
Now simply click 'Start' and the IC will program. The software will verify the process by reading hte contents of the chip several times befoe giving the all clear. Swap chips and burn the other half of the information and you are done. Really quite simple!
Trouble Shooting
As can be seen on the Batronix Website Message Boards, many people have had trouble with the programmer. I too had some troubles at first and was at one stage wondering whether the product was a sham. My advice is to try the following:
- Ensure Voltage to the Programmer is at a sufficient level. As close to the max rated 20V is optimum, and stabilty is also beneficial. If th voltage is fluctuating too much, a large capacitator can be added accross the terminals to help. Also check that the polarity is the correct way around with the power supply conection.
- Ensure the IC is inserted the correct way. Please refer to the diagram above.
- Maximise your computers available resources. There was a stage where the ICs refused to completely program unless Progstudio was the only application I had open. Perhaps for newer and more powerful processors than mine this would not be a problem, but perhaps you should be wary before outlaying money on the programmer setup for a particularly old computer. Therefore if you are using this guide for your first time it might be beneficial to save it to disk, print it out so that a browser window is not open at the same time.
- Ensure the correct IC is selected in th software. Go for the closest match you can. Note that the AT28C256 setting is different tothe 28C256 setting. Don't try a more general one unless you are trouble shooting.
If these do not work then it is best to browse the Batronix message board for solutions. The steps listed above is what were relevant to myself so nothing further do I really know. Webmaster Andre is quite friendly and at one stage replaced a defective IC free of charge with my next order as well as trying to help me solve my problems. Please use this service instead of emailing me with programmer trouble shooting questions.
Setting up the Daughterboard for the Maps
It is important to note here that for AT28C256 ICs the map selection instructions written on the daughterboard are incorrect. I cannot comment on the instructions for the other ICs as I have only ever used these EEPROMs.
Therefore to access the two new maps you must select what would either be 2 (map1) or 4 (map 2) for a 27c512 EPROM. This is simply an easy way to remember how to have the switches if only the daughterboard is on hand. The new settings are as follows:
28C256
A simplified way of saying this is that switch one is always off, and switch 2 is toggled to swap between maps 1 and 2.
When Starting the Car
When first installing the daughterboard, it is best to leave the top cover casing off as to see the internals of the ECU at a glance. You would have noticed a red LED on the ECU by now. This LED will always be on when the engine is off, but should disappear as the engine is cranking to turn on. If it does, then everything is perfect. If it does not, then something isnot right and the ecu will run in fault mode. This will make it run rich and stutter to the point of almost stalling every time throttle is applied. Turn the engine off and recheck everything, when you think you have solvd the problem ry again. Keep in mind that you should have little problems because I have already gone through everyhting first to give you the benefit of hindsight.
A Test to Make Sure All is Well
Create two different maps in ROM editor with very low rev limits. For example, one at 2000 rpm and the other at 4000rpm, but with nothing else at all changed in the maps. Start the car and rev the engine, the rev limits should be in place the entire time. Switch between maps and see if the rev limit for the map corresponds with what you intended to program. If all is good, then follow the same process this time burning the actual mpas you wish to use, and you'll now know they are correctly setup.
Switching Between Maps with the Engine On
This is something that I have not really tried but I will write my experiences anyway. It seems that it canbe done safely if the switch is switched quickly. The change will occur without trouble and should be seamless. However is the switches on the daughterboard are changed too slowly it can send the car into fault mode. To clear this just turn off the engine and restart it with the correct switch settings. Note this is the only way to do it, the engine must be restarted every time. It seems the worst that can happen is the car going into fault mode, so it SHOULD be OK to experiment.
