Just wanted to apprise everyone of the situation with the PROMinator.

Bill shipped me one a week ago to beta test, and we ran into a few problems here and there that we've resolved. However, some of these changes meant cut traces, wires dangling around, etc. We've both come to the conclusion that it's best to start over with the knowledge we have now.

Disparaging as this may seem, we've taken into consideration what everyone has asked for - primarily two things - the "Pro" version (tune on the fly, bank-switched flash ROM) and the ability to just "snap" into Craig's P4 adapter and fit in a variety of ECM cases.

What we'll be doing is making two versions, but on the same board. The "standard" version will have one memory chip, and not be "on the fly" programmable. You'll have to pull over, turn off the key, and program it. It will be available for $150 at production time. The "Pro" version will have two memory chips, and be programmed (both the CPLD and the PC software) differently, and will be available for a higher price (to be determined later, but definitely under $250.) It will be a bank-switched setup where one memory device is being read by the ECM, and the other is "waiting" to be programmed by the PC. When you program the other memory device, it will first verify the contents, then "swap" the devices so the ECM reads from the new memory device, automatically. The nice thing is, there's no battery required, nor any battery backup required - they are flash ROM devices with 100-year retention lifespans.

Keep in mind, the Pro version will also be the same as the Standard version in that you will find a way to permanently mount the device in place, since it replaces the EPROM or PROM originally in the ECM. You don't have to remove it - ever.

The other thing we've decided to do to quickly implement tuning features is to write a simple no-user-interface version of the software, where you pass a filename to it and it programs/verifies all in one shot - this will simplify adding the system to Mark's GMECM Edit, and possibily even TunerCat.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a request for some type of change that you'd like to see, please post it here so we can hopefully incorporate it into the system!

 

I'm also planning on implementing software-selectable multiple BIN images, instead of a DIP switch.

 

Hehehehehehe....... can't wait.

 

How dare you do this to me, tease me with the pictures of the prototype, give me a price. even if it is aproximate, and now I'll be pacing waiting for the new better, improved and quite possibly the pro version, maybe 2, You are a sadist aren't you? :sillylol:

Just keep us, well at least me () updated. I'm going to wear a hole in my shop floor from pacing a waiting. :sillylol:

Keep up the testing.

 

Heck with it....I give up, I'm gonna buy a burner and be done with it. I can't wait so long...

Ok, I'm kidding....But I am gonna buy a burner in the meantime, I still want to have one anyway for when people want to do stuff like speedo correction for tire size and that sort of thing.

You can definately put me on the list for one when they are ready! More than likely a pro version. I think this is the coolest thing that has come out for a GM since the small-block!

Is there still talk of integrating it into one of Craig's boards?

 

Well sounds reasonable. I hope this will be coming out soon as im very interested.

 

to quote my 5 year old nephew...

i know it probably won't work any better for me than it does for him, but can't fault a guy for tryin...

i'm so looking forward to one of these units for my 400 swap, but it would be *very* cool to be able to get my feet wet with the 305 before takin a crack at the new engine...:lala:

keep us informed, and many thanx in advance for this!

 

Oh man! I just messed my shorts!!

How soon before you start production?

Will I be able to interface with the Prominator and my scanning software at the same time so I can view the status of my PROM changes as I make them?

Keep up the good work guys! :hail: :hail: :hail:

 

This is nothing short of awesome. Absolutely ... Positively ... AWESOME!

I really like your idea of a simple program that you can call (along with passing the path to the binary). This will very much simplify integration of the PROMinator into any existing Editor. I really like this feature because that means that I can incorporate it into my personal custom editor. Awesome.

... I'll finally be able to put the ECM back under the dash

Tim

 

Yea, I think I need some of those "Opps, I crapped my pants" as well. I'll be eBaying my burning stuff as soon as these puppies become available. There should be no problem running a scanner and <arnold>The PROMinator</arnold> since most (all?) scanners connect to the serial port, and <arnold>The PROMinator</arnold> connects via the parallel port.

 

Craig was generous enough to send me one of his P4 adapter boards, and likewise Bruce was equally generous to send me a P4 ECM...I'll make sure it fits in a P4 as well as a C3. Thanx guys!

As Scott said...as long as your scanner doesn't use the parallel port, no problem. I'm also looking into adding USB support. Gotta get with the new millenium.

I want to apologize for the delay, as it's mostly my fault more so than Ken's, but my philosophy is that there's enough "crap" out there as it is...I won't contribute to the sale of "crap" and I think Ken, and most if not all here, would agree.

Hang in there guys, we're very serious about this project (and others are in the works) and we WILL make it a reality (I WANT ONE TOO!). We're even talking about getting Ken a plane ticket so he and I can do some coordinating face-to-face instead of via Yahell between TX and CO.


Oh, and one last disclaimer...

"Not responsible for damage to shop floors or footwear as a result of endless pacing"

 

LOL, I'm just impaitent, But I'd rather have a quality piece, that will be reliable, than something that is just thrown together that will "work".

Need any help beta testing?

I'll just be here (im)paitently waiting, still pacing. LOL

 

If you guys need help coding the app to control this beast, let me know, I would love to help out. I'd only be able to do something windows based though (VB 6, VB.NET, or C#)

 

Diacom uses parallel port... not a big deal though with all these new usb adapters and such.

You guys rock. This is a killer setup your building! :hail:

 

I appreciate the offer, but the control app is already done; we're simply looking at modifying it so it runs in non-gui mode where you pass a filename to it, and it programs and verifies in one shot. (That way tuner programs can incorporate it easier into their system.) It's already Windows based and should work in Win98/NT/2000/XP just fine.

 

What about Windows ME?

 

i want one too!! is the software idiot proof? i've got other prom burning stuff now but i can't get it to work right. i want something easier!

 

Well, any new info on this yet?

 

Not yet. We've run into some bugs - so the redesign is kinda slow. We want to work all the bugs out of programming first before we even make the new board design. The good news is we're working to get it a little smaller AND make it to where it will fit in a C3 or P4 ECM, easily. For a P4, you'd just need Craig's adapter, and a C3 you could just solder it right in.

 

Sweet, well, that is still an update, just not as close as I was hoping. LOL.

Still keep it up.

 

Yeah I ran into a bit of a snag last week...my ISP in Denver went bankrupt and the company that took over their customers didn't take over the Colorado Springs customers (me), which is fine and dandy except that they didn't bother to inform the Colorado Springs customers. Just gotta love ISPs. I just got back online yesterday.

I've got the board outline, component placement, and some of the routing done. My plan is to get the routing finished up by this weekend and get it sent off to a fab shop for some prototypes by next week. The good part is that one of the guys at the fab shop has an '84 Vette and an 8746 ECM...so he wants one too. I will work on software next week while the boards are being made.

Sorry 'bout the delay.

Bill

 

Ahhhhhh.

I'd written you, with no response, I was wondering what'd happened.

Anyway, I need a prom and netres for the thingy...

 

Yeah, sorry 'bout that.

I'm planning a trip to the 'lectronics store today. (need some more 2732s)

 

Well the redesign layout is pretty much done. The dimensions look like so:



This is as viewed from the top of the board.

Bill

 

Well the new board layout provide some real challenges for the fab shop, so it took a little longer than expected to get some protos back. I did pick up some boards yesterday and just got the first one assembled tonight.

I snapped a few pictures of a 7747 and a 7749 ECM (w/ Moates adapter):

7747:



7749 top view:



7749 side view:





There's a bit of a height issue as evident from the side view, but I think a little trimming from the ejector latch on that side will take care of it and leave just enough room to solder it down to the Moates adapter board.

Bill

 

OMIGOSH! That's awesome! Thanks for the update! Since you have proto's in hand, does that mean you're closer to a ship date? Sorry to be a nag, but I really want to get going on this stuff!

I don't think the heaight will really be an issue, Who needs a cover on their ECM anyway? LOL

 

ever consider selling your prototypes as you go along?