Marcus Frost

As I have seen a lot of random discussion around datalogging I thought it would be appropriate to start a thread that allows people to directly compare their logs and state their mods so that we can all compare our numbers and be able to determine a little more easily if what we are seeing is normal or not.

I finally dusted off my old trusty AutoTap and will be doing some logs soon on both the 55 and 65.

Before we get into the discussion, I want to say that I already know that off the shelf dataloggers for MBZ are junk. They have crappy sample rates and these numbers can never hope to be used for tuning. They are simply something for reference that needs to be taken with a grain of salt, period. Use these at your own risk, and please don't post on here telling us how crappy the dataloggers are.

I think the best way to post is an actual JPEG chart. Some quick instructions on how to do that using AutoTap:

1.) After you've logged the car, goto Logging and hit "Export to Comma Delimited File"

2.) Save the file as whatever, and open it in Excel.

3.) Delete ALL the columns except for what is important - Throttle Position %, Vehicle Speed (MPH), Manifold Aboslute Pressure (MAP)(kPa), Engine Coolant Temperature (C), Ignition Timing Advance, Intake Air Temperature (F), Mass Air Flow Rate (lb/min)

4.) Right click on the tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet and goto insert, then select chart.

5.) Select Line under "Standard Types" and then select the "Line with markers displayed at each data value" - hit next.

6.) Next to Data range: there is a box and next to the box there is a little button with a red arrow in it. Click the red arrow and select all the data in your speadsheet - then hit finish.

You now have what should be a nice looking chart. You may want to goto Page Setup and change the Paper Size to tabloid to get the chart to fit a bit better. Make it into a JPEG and post it up. Please make sure to also post your location, weather conditions, Datalogger TYPE, YEAR/MODEL of your car, MODS, and maybe even MILES.

I've attached a log from my old 2001 Audi S4, for reference.

-m

bassn_07

Great thread Marcus!

I've been playing around with my Dashdaq a little here and there but still haven't learned how to view my data.... Once I get my wideband installed I'll post up some data, take it that I learn how to view my logs .

shardul

iTrader: (1)

good thread i will post my IAT and RPM numbers tonight. FYI for generic data loggers the least PID's you select the faster the sampling rate will be.

JustPete

Anyone have a source for a good Data Logger for MB?

Marcus Frost

JustPete:

I use http://www.autotap.com

-m

prodigymb

Wayne @ LET suggested this one from Auterra to me. From reading it does look good, and does eveyrthing I would want from a scan tool.

http://www.auterraweb.com/dynoscankitwindows.html

NOTE: I do not have one (yet), just have not gotten around to purchasing it.

Ghostrider

www.dashdaq.com

JustPete

Thanks guys ... I'll check these out!

lowprofile

That's funny, I ordered the Auterra for palm application about two weeks ago. Unfortunately, the serial cable I had would not communicate with the OBD adapter. New cable should be here tomorrow, so I will check it out this weekend.
From what you can tell from pictures alone, this software package appears identical to Nology's.
I'm not a fan of having to bring a laptop with me for datalogging, which is why I didn't go with Autotap.

lowprofile

Quick update: New cable working but...after about 15 minutes of scanning I lost the connection. Tried multiple times to re-connect before it would work again. From that point, it would intermittently freeze and then begin again. My initial impression is that I might have a bad OBD adapter, but I have also read about how slow the ecu is sending data. I know the Palm devise is quick enough to display more info, but either the ecu or OBD adapter is choking the data.
Bassn, was there a noticeable difference in response time when viewing live data from using the Nology to the Dashdaq?

bassn_07

I'm reading several different parameters with my Dashdaq and haven't had any issues. With Nology I only ran up to 6 different readings because things would start to slow down, but with Dashdaq I'm reading up to 15 so far with no issues. I'll do more testing this coming Friday when I hit the track.

The other night I ran against a modded 996 tt and have a crap load of data that I need to read. During these runs, visually, the Dashdaq worked flawless. We did wide open runs in Mexico from 20-150, 60-160, and 80-170. I'm going to call Dashdaq today and figure out how to read my logs and create charts to clearly see what's going on.

I'll keep you updated.

lowprofile

Thanks for replying bassn, you made my decision easier. I'm returning the Auterra and going with the dashdaq.

bassn_07

No problem. I'm acutally on the phone with Mike from Dashdaq as I type and they have awesome customer service.

What's considered a good sampling rate per second?

Ghostrider

Please let me know about transferring the data into chart form, that would be so helpful!!

Dashdaq is a wonderful product, and now that I have it updated all that's left is getting my Innovate LC-1 wired into it.

c32AMG-DTM

bassn 07, thanks for your feedback - that sounds like a really nice datalogger, albeit at the more costly end of the device range. I have a Davis CarChip Pro that I use from time to time, but it's a toy compared to the Dashdaq.

What parameters are you capturing? I'd guess timing, IATs, AFRs (if possible?), MAP pressure, load... but what else? 15 parameters is a LOT!

JustPete

Which Dash Daq do you recommend? I don't see a Mercedes specific one. Only OBD2 & Popular Enhanced Parameters.

Is that the one to get?

bassn_07

No problem. Dashdaq is a great unit but it's going to take some time to fully understand and utilize all of its capabilities. Yes, it's one of the more costly dataloggers out there but small in comparison to what spend on my car.

15 parameter is definitely a lot...... The only reason why I did this was to see how the system would handle it. I only capture a total of 8 right now with all the basics - MAP, load, RPM, speed, IAT's, Engine temps, and a couple of others.

I actually have the Innovative Motorsport LC-1 wideband for the unit but I'm waiting for my LT's before installing. This will be a great feature to have, not so much for tuning but just for viewing and protecting the engine. You could set limits on the Dashdaq that could have prevent catastrophic failure with lean conditions. Like I mentioned before, small price to pay compared to what our engines are worth. Not to say this will prevent anything from happening but at least I'll have tools to reduce that possibility.

bassn_07

Here's where I purchased my Dashdaq combo.

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/x...cat=265&page=1

Great! I'm glad you also have the Dashdaq, this way we could help each other with the learning curve.

I also have the LC-1 and it should be installed within a month or so. Hopefully by then I'll have everything figured out, as for as datalogging goes.

JustPete

Thanks!

MB_Forever

Wasn't AutoEngenuity supposed to come out with a very powerful diagnostic tool with the ability to data log at a very high rate? Any news on that?

bassn_07

Ghostrider, once you get your LC-1 you'll be able to use their software to view in chart format.

Actually you can download it from their site. Here it is, Logworks 3.0. Give it a try and bump me if you have any questions.

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/support.php

Ghostrider

Thanks for the link!! I have the gauge for my LC-1 installed in what used to be the ashtray. I just have to go back and get the wiring harness spliced in and connected to the dashdaq.

Just fyi... When I had my LC-1 installed that left the factory O2 wired up as well, something about the heater element that it contains.

lowprofile

Just wanted to update everyone who is looking into purchasing a new datalogger. Bassn was nice enough to send me one of his scans. Upon viewing it I realized that the transfer rate is not exactly what it seems. It does scan at a rate of approx. 100ms, however, being that the ecu is not refreshing nearly as fast, you will wind up with several scans of the same data. In other words, no matter how fast the scan tool is, if the data is not being refreshed by the ecu, you will not be able to utilize the speed of the scan tool.
I am wondering if putting the car into dyno mode(killing off stability, traction, abs) will help the data transfer rate by lowering the demands on the ecu. Thoughts/opinions?

bassn_07

Yeah...I'm pretty bummed about that but oh well. It's still a nice data logger and I have no regrets. Dashdaq has awesome customer service and they are doing as much as they can.

When I hit the strip I'll just log at most 3 items, hopefully that will help. I still highly recommend this logger and believe it's still one of the nicer ones out there. Fortunately my wideband will not be affected by MB's slow sampling rate....

Thanks again Lowprofile for viewing that file.

c32AMG-DTM

Sorry for the "newbish" question - but why do you need an additional wideband O2 sensor? In looking at the parameters than can be logged by the Dashdaq, it looks like you can capture the data sent from the primary and/or secondary O2 sensors already in the car...?